City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. The boy Jesus in the Temple 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. 43 And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

Luke 2:40–47 (ESV)

Reflection

There is much to be discussed and debated in this passage of scripture, but one fact is undeniable: Jesus’ parents left Him in Jerusalem.  This original version of Home Alone had no violence and a had a happy ending. No one called CPS, and no Amber Alerts were issued. Yet, there is still this: Jesus’ parents left Him in Jerusalem.

How do a pair of ostensibly responsible parents not check on their 12-year old son for a day or make sure he’s in the car before they leave Jerusalem? I’ve know the commentaries about how people traveled in caravans and trusted their kids with extended family and all that, but I’m not buying it. Jesus was only twelve years old and without sin. He was not rebellious, and He obeyed His parents. He didn’t leave His parents; His parents left Him. Whether it was gross negligence or merely negligence, I will leave the theologians to decide, but this much is clear: they left Jesus.

When Jesus realized He had been left—which He surely must have after a certain period of time—He did not run after the caravan. Jesus’ parents had to return to where Jesus was. Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son reaffirms this point. The prodigal’s father didn’t run after the prodigal when he left; he ran to great him after he repented and returned (see Luke 15:11-20). 

Application

Jesus promises He will never leave us or forsake us once we have trusted in Him (Hebrews 13:5). But we can leave Him, and many do, some for a time and some forever. Christians leave Jesus when they decide to pursue an ungodly relationship or persist in a sinful lifestyle. Some just get distracted with other things and wander off. We think Jesus will follow and be where we are, but then one day we look up and He is nowhere to be found.

To find Jesus, we must repent and return to where we left Him. For some, that will mean going back to the last thing Jesus told us to do that we didn’t do. For others, it will mean terminating a relationship or forsaking a lifestyle. And for yet others it will mean getting back in the Bible and prayer on a daily basis. 

Of course, as I am sure Mary and Joseph would attest, it is better to avoid all the stress and anxiety and not leave Jesus in the first place.

Prayer

Lord, please convict me if I ever begin to wander away from You. Amen.