Spiritual Prescription LOST AND FOUND
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey. Luke 2:44.
Jesus was 12 years old the first time His parents took Him along with them to the yearly Passover feast. When they returned from Jerusalem, Jesus stayed behind. Joseph and Mary didn't know it. Supposing Him to be in the company, they went a day's journey without him. But when night came on, they noticed that He was not there. They sought for Him among their kinfolk and acquaintances. But when they found Him not, they returned to Jerusalem, still seeking Him. On the third day, they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors and teachers of the law, both hearing them and asking them questions. "And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:48, 49).
There is a tremendous lesson for us in this story. It's possible to lose Jesus and not know it. The Desire of Ages, page 83: "In our association with one another, we should take heed lest we forget Jesus, and pass along unmindful that He is not with us. When we become absorbed in worldly things so that we have no thought for Him in whom our hope of eternal life is centered, we separate ourselves from Jesus and from the heavenly angels. These holy beings cannot remain where the Saviour's presence is not desired, and His absence is not marked. This is why discouragement so often exists among the professed followers of Christ."
It is possible today to lose Jesus in one day, supposing Him to be in the company. When it began to get dark, Joseph and Mary discovered their loss. Then they began to seek for Him among the kinfolk. But they couldn't find Him. Finally, they headed back to Jerusalem, and found Him where they had lost Him. That's where you always find Jesus--where you last saw Him. Go back to where you separated from Him.
It's wonderful to have friends and relatives who know Jesus. But don't depend on their relationship with Him. You must seek Him for yourself. We can stay with Him only through personal fellowship with Him day by day.
But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey. Luke 2:44.
Jesus was 12 years old the first time His parents took Him along with them to the yearly Passover feast. When they returned from Jerusalem, Jesus stayed behind. Joseph and Mary didn't know it. Supposing Him to be in the company, they went a day's journey without him. But when night came on, they noticed that He was not there. They sought for Him among their kinfolk and acquaintances. But when they found Him not, they returned to Jerusalem, still seeking Him. On the third day, they found Him in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors and teachers of the law, both hearing them and asking them questions. "And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:48, 49).
There is a tremendous lesson for us in this story. It's possible to lose Jesus and not know it. The Desire of Ages, page 83: "In our association with one another, we should take heed lest we forget Jesus, and pass along unmindful that He is not with us. When we become absorbed in worldly things so that we have no thought for Him in whom our hope of eternal life is centered, we separate ourselves from Jesus and from the heavenly angels. These holy beings cannot remain where the Saviour's presence is not desired, and His absence is not marked. This is why discouragement so often exists among the professed followers of Christ."
It is possible today to lose Jesus in one day, supposing Him to be in the company. When it began to get dark, Joseph and Mary discovered their loss. Then they began to seek for Him among the kinfolk. But they couldn't find Him. Finally, they headed back to Jerusalem, and found Him where they had lost Him. That's where you always find Jesus--where you last saw Him. Go back to where you separated from Him.
It's wonderful to have friends and relatives who know Jesus. But don't depend on their relationship with Him. You must seek Him for yourself. We can stay with Him only through personal fellowship with Him day by day.
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