“New Year’s Evaluation”

INTRODUCTION.

I remember being a small boy and going to South Park Mall with my parents. There was this one time I was down in one of the pits that used to be in the middle of the mall. There were these hand rails you would use to help walk up the steps to get out. I was acting like one of them was a movie camera and I was making a movie. Had been there for little while when I looked up and realized my parents where not there. I was startled at first then became scared. Every where I look there were lots of people but not my parents. I did not know what to do. I walked around a little bit looking for them but did not go to far from where I was. In my panic I looked up and there they were. I can not imagine what my mom and dad must have felt when they realized I was not with them. The panic that must have set in.

I can imagine how they must have felt. I have felt that very thing with Waylen not to long ago. He was outside playing and I needed him for something so I go outside and call for him. Normally he answers and comes right away. This time was different. I called, “Waylen,” and he did not answer. I called again, “Waylen,” and he still did not answer. I called a little louder, “WAYLEN,” still nothing. I start to get a little nervous but hold it together. I come over to the church to see if he was here. I could not find him. I look every where. I go into the nursery, down the halls, into the sanctuary thinking maybe he is in here with Mrs. Renee. Still nothing. Then I come outside and Nicole is looking for him. We call again, “WAYLEN”, still nothing. I jump in the car and drive through the cemetery to see if he was over there, even though he knows not to be. I did not find him. At this point Nicole and I are both frantic. Getting ready to call the cops. As I was driving around I think, maybe he is under the house playing. I drive the car up to the edge of the house jump out place my head under the house a yell out “WAYLEN,” and I hear, “yes”. He was under there and said he could not hear us. To tell you the truth I was relieved but still shaken up pretty good. I wanted to get on to him, and actually probably did just a little. “Did you not hear us yelling for you? You need to let us know where you are. You gave your mother and I a real scare, we were getting ready to call the cops. Son you gave us a real scare, I love you, but please let us know where you are when you are going to come outside and play.”

Has that even happened to you? Can you understand and feel the panic within you? You look up and your child is not there.

That is exactly what happened to Jospeh and Mary. They had made there annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem with the Jesus and the family. They celebrated the feast and then began returning home. After traveling for a whole day they stoped for the night Jesus was not there. Where was He. They began looking for Him among all the relatives, family, and friends. He is not here they must have said to each other. They begin to frantically look every where. May be they were even calling out “JESUS, JESUS.” When they did not find Him they began the day’s journey back to Jerusalem where they last saw Him. I can only imagine the panic they where in. Maybe even scared what could have happened to Jesus, He was only twelve years old. They get back to Jerusalem and it took them a whole day to find Jesus. Jesus was at the temple listening, talking, asking question, and answering question with the some of the leaders. There He was now right in front of Mary and Joseph. I can just see Mary running up to Jesus grabbing Him and hugging Him close. Then Mary questions Jesus, “Why have you treated us this way?”

Turn with me to Luke chapter two verse 41.

Luke 2:41–52 NASB95

41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; 43 and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, 44 but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day’s journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. 46 Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” 49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

MESSAGE.

The passage of scripture that we are looking at today is the only glimpse into the boyhood of Jesus. Luke chapter 2 covers Jesus’s birth, flee to Egypt, return to Nazareth, and Jesus going to Jersualem at the age of twelve. It is the trip back to Jerusalem that I want us to focus on today. This trip was not out of the ordinary. It was custom for Joseph, Mary, Jesus and the family to make this trip every year. It was Jewish custom that three times a year all males where required to go to Jerusalem to the temple. This was for the three feast. There were times because of distance that some could not make it. If they had to miss normally they would not miss the Feast of Passover.

I. Recognize you’re not walking with Jesus.

Proverbs 14:11–14 NASB95

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, But the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will have his fill of his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied with his.

There is an importance of being intentional in our spiritual journey - ensuring we are traveling with Jesus and not assuming His presence in our lives.

II. Repent and go back to where you were when you left Him.

Jeremiah 3:22–23 NASB95

22 “Return, O faithless sons, I will heal your faithlessness.” “Behold, we come to You; For You are the Lord our God. 23 “Surely, the hills are a deception, A tumult on the mountains. Surely in the Lord our God Is the salvation of Israel.

Hosea 6:1–3 NASB95

1 “Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. 2 “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him. 3 “So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”

We need to have a hunger for knowledge and truth. - Jesus is that knowledge and truth.

III. Remember who He is.

Jesus is God’s Son.

2 Timothy 2:8 NASB95

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel,

Even Jesus was aware of a higher calling and purpose than Himself. - He was bout “His Father’s business”

We Need to be aware that there is a higher calling and purpose in our lives.

IV. Recommit your life to Him.

Jesus returned to Nazareth and was obedient.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NASB95

14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

To grow spiritually there must be growth in wisdom and submission.

CONCLUSION.