DAY 2 | Luke 2 | David Waldroup

SCRIPTURE

Luke 2:41-51 - 41 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.

OBSERVATION

Mary and Joseph struggled to find Jesus because:

1. They didn’t realize they walked away from Him.

2. They assumed He was walking with them.

3. They initially only searched for him amongst family and friends.

After Mary and Joseph found Jesus:

4. They still didn’t have a full understanding…

5. They still treasured the moment they found Jesus again

APPLICATION

It’s likely that you will face seasons in your life where you are not walking with Jesus as closely as you know you should be. In order to rediscover closeness with Jesus we must:

1. Increase our awareness of His presence through prayer, scripture and solitude.

2. Not assume that He is on board with OUR PLANS.

3. Step away from who/what is familiar and comfortable.

4. Not rely on our own understanding or demand answers to all of our questions.

5. Treasure every moment that we get to spread in the presence of Jesus.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence in our lives.  Though we may forsake you, you have never forsaken us.  I pray that we would be in awe of the fact that you long to walk with us.  We confess that at times we get caught up in our own plans and in our comfortable settings, and ultimately miss out on nearness with you. We ask that you increase our awareness of your presence in our lives, and that you would also increase our longing to walk closer to you.