Advent StudySample

Have you ever temporarily lost or misplaced a child who was in your care? Leaving a child behind is a scenario that invokes dread in every parent or caregiver. Today we read that Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem as his family began the journey home to Nazareth. It was a couple of days before anyone noticed. With a large group of family and friends, it must have been easy to think young Jesus was with someone else. When he wasn’t found to be with them, Mary and Joseph went back to Jerusalem on their own and searched three days before finding Him.

Losing track of a wandering child is one thing. But often we are the wandering child! We suddenly look up and find that Jesus isn’t near; not because He moved, but because we did. Jesus is the constant. When we lose sight, we can rest assured that we’ll find Him right where He’s always been. Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you”.Jesus is never lost to us.

We don’t need a GPS tracker to find Jesus; we need to open His Word, and we will find Him. Bible study is a rhythm we keep as believers because it keeps us close to Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I admit there are times when I wander from your side. When I do, help me recall your words in Matthew 7:7.