The Lost Boy Jesus

December 23

(Luke 2:43-45 NIV) "After the Feast 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."

(Luke 15:4-7 NIV)  ""Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? {5} And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders {6} and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' {7} I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

(Luke 19:10 NIV) "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

(John 6:38-40 NIV) "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. {39} And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. {40} For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

When people from all over Israel went to Jerusalem for Passover, they would travel in large groups for companionship and protection. This was likely the case when Joseph and Mary went there. On the way home, they probably assumed that Jesus was with relatives or neighbors in their party. However, as they traveled further, they discovered that He was not with their group, so they returned to find Him. But as we will discover, Jesus was not lost. He is never lost. We are the ones who are lost. Without His light, we wander alone in darkness, trying to find our way. This is why Jesus came to Earth. He left the comfort of Heaven, and came here to seek and save us. Christ died on a cross so we could be found, and one day He will return to gather up His sheep. Not a one will be lost. Whoever you are, wherever you are, Jesus came to find you. Merry Christmas! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day