Seek Jesus Where He Is

Imagine thinking Jesus was with you and being mistaken!  To say it would be disconcerting would be an understatement.  This is exactly what happened to Joseph and Mary after celebrating the Passover with Jesus in Jerusalem.  Luke 2:43-44 says, "When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; ⁴⁴ but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day's journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances."  Joseph and His mother journeyed for an entire day, supposing Jesus was with them, but the distance between them grew with every step they took.

We understand how people can be physically separated from others, but we must consider the reality that even those who believe in Jesus can also be separated from Him.  Thousands in Israel did not know Jesus, and they did not miss Him.  Even his parents did not miss Him for a day.  Is this not a sobering fact?  His own parents assumed Jesus was with them, and we can think in our efforts to please God Jesus must be with us when we have walked away from Him.  Believing in Jesus does not mean He tags along with us.  He is the Good Shepherd, and we are the sheep.  We are called to abide with Him.  Reversing this order is a great danger indeed!

When Joseph and Mary discovered Jesus was not with them, they immediately sought Him.  Luke 2:45 reads, "So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him."  What a good example this is for Christians, followers of Jesus Christ!  Should we realise Jesus isn't with us, we need to stop, lay aside our plans, and drop everything to seek Him.  We can toil in a ministry, thinking by virtue of our effort Jesus must be with us.  But sometimes we have moved away from where Jesus is, following family, a schedule, or the crowds.  If we ever make the mistake of wandering from the presence of Jesus, let's retrace our steps to find Jesus again without giving up.

God said in Jeremiah 29:13, "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."  Those who humble themselves, trusting in Jesus, will find Him.  Jesus revealed Himself as the Son of God so He might be believed and save sinners, people who have been separated from God by sin.  Praise the LORD that He may be found!  Isaiah 55:6-7 says, "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."