Moving On Without Jesus?

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Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for Passover.  And when Jesus was twelve years old, they all went there as usual for the celebration.  After Passover his parents left, but they did not know that Jesus had stayed on in the city.  They thought he was traveling with some other people, and they went a whole day before they started looking for him.   When they could not find him with their relatives and friends, they went back to Jerusalem and started looking for him there.  Three days later they found Jesus sitting in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions.  Everyone who heard him was surprised at how much he knew and at the answers he gave.  When his parents found him, they were amazed. His mother said, "Son, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been very worried, and we have been searching for you!"   Jesus answered, "Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I would be in my Father's house?"

Luke 2: 41 - 49

Have you ever discovered that you, like Mary and Joseph have moved on without Jesus?  They did it when they were returning home from Jerusalem and didn’t find Him for three days.  But as soon as they realized that He was not with their relatives or friends, they turned around and went back to find Jesus.

Sometimes you may find that you are moving on with Jesus in your life, and then suddenly you realize that Jesus is no longer there!  But, Jesus promised to be with you always.  Where did He go?  You become confused and bewildered.  What happened and what should you do?

What may have happened is this:  You may have changed direction in your life and didn’t inquire to see if it was the direction that Jesus wanted you to go.   Or you may have heard the Spirit calling you to go another way and you ignored it!  Either way, you moved away from Jesus.  He did not move away from you!

So like Joseph and Mary, when you realize that Jesus is not with you on your journey, turn around and go back to find Him, and do it without delay.

“Lord Jesus, I know that You were all about Your Father’s business while You were here on earth, and I want to do that too!  Help me never to walk away from You, but to always stay close!  And Jesus, may You be praised forever.  Amen.”