After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it. Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.  Luke 2:43-45 HCSB

We are told in Luke 2:40 that “The boy (Jesus) grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on Him.  In the next few verses, we see that Joseph and Mary traveled with Jesus to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival as they did every year. Our Scripture passage picks up where they lose Jesus, assuming He is traveling with them they go a whole day before returning to Jerusalem to search for Him.

After a three-day search, they found Him in the temple listening to teachers and asking them questions. Verse 47 tells us when He spoke all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding. In verse 50 we are told Mary and Joseph did not understand what He said to them when He told them, “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”

For many of us Christmas has come and gone. Gifts have been exchanged. We’ve spent time with friends and family. We’ve probably eaten too much and now this is the time of year we resolve to do things differently in the upcoming year.

In the hustle and the bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to lose sight of Jesus. It’s easy to get caught up in the celebration and leave Him behind. Scripture tells us Mary and Joseph didn’t truly understand Jesus and His mission here on earth.

No doubt, for parents, it would be too much to handle to know all He would do here. We, however, have an advantage. We are reading this from a totally different perspective. We know that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. We also know that we are all lost in sin (Romans 3:23). We are all in need of Jesus. We know He died for our sins.

Sadly, many of us find Jesus in times of despair, but we lose Him when things pick up. We forget Him along the way. We begin our journey into the world without Him. I saw countless prisoners give their lives to Jesus while they were confined in prison, but they seemed to lose Him once they got back out into the world.

So, I ask you today, have you lost Jesus? Did you leave Him behind? We are told that God will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6), but He does not force us to stay with Him. He gives us free will.

As we exit this holiday season and head into 2023, I encourage you not to lose Jesus. Commit to spend more time with Him each and every day through prayer and Bible study. Enjoy the fellowship of Christian brothers and sisters.

Let your light shine to others so that they will see the peace and joy you have in Him and will want the same for themselves.

Go boldly into the New Year without fear. Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you, be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

I beg of you as you begin this New Year, don’t walk away from Jesus, draw closer to Him. James 4:8 says if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. Don’t lose Him in the bustle of the New Year.

Have a great day!