The Left

And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

Luke 2:45-47

Here we see that Jesus has power far beyond any that you or I could know. As great as John the Baptist was when he baptized all men into their natural giftings and abilities, he could not even begin to compare with the Lord. Now before you wonder whatever might have led up to this point, it says right here in the text. See, Jesus had gone missing about the feast of Passover around when he was twelve. Now, I'm sure there's nothing special about being twelve compared with other ages. Some cultures though have regarded it as an age of having grown into full maturity though if you will. So it was though that he went missing. This is particularly important to see because as some of you know going missing is no small feat for anyone, much less for someone of that day and age.

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

You know it so often reminds me how some of us from him run and flee and so have trouble finding him again. Could it be that our God has not moved or changed. Rather, he is sitting right in the last place we left. How often the good book says he will be found of us when we search for him with our whole heart. See, our God has not changed nor is he in the habit of playing silly little games as some of us are so often wont. Thank God then for his mercy and grace who will neither forsake us nor herein leave us alone.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

It seems then that Jesus had not gone missing as some were led to believe but rather, he was being found of them. Have you ever had something so powerful you just couldn't understand? Here was a young child, or a very young man of that day teaching the people and answering all the questions of their lives. More than that, he seemed to know more than even the learned men of that time. Jesus it seems can be found sitting in the house of God which has not been made a den of thieves just yet. Herein is found how often man's wisdom is found at odds with the Lord. For then these sought only themselves or all earthly gains yet Christ came to give us the peace that his Heaven brings. It is a power then that goes beyond all space and time. It seems I can see him now almost asking questions to which he had never been taught and so by his guidance he was giving them answers.

Such a knowledge could only come from above for has he not been made unto us wisdom as the Scripture has said. Then that Jesus with all his powers to disappear and reappear at will remained subject unto his earthly authorities of that day whether to the parents or to all other earthly leaders. It might seem strange that God would chose such a way as that. Yet regardless, herein is seen his care for his people. He gives them learning being so made the wisdom and being made as the wise. For this cause then seeks he his people, so going after his flock. Some might discuss about our God being a present help in troubled times indeed but I rather like to see him giving of himself to his people with nothing wanting nothing missing and nothing left out.