Lost and Found

Lost and Found Lost and Found Michael Morse / General CrossFit / Find; Forget; Faith / Luke 2:41-52 Luke is the only one who tells of this story of Jesus staying behind while his parents began their journey home. It is often seen as proof that Jesus was a normal mischievious child but there is deeper and truer meaning we can find within this story. When we live in a rush we tend to leave things behind later when we go to retrieve them from where we remember last having them we rummage through a space or box known as the "lost and found". Our relationship with Jesus is very similar in that often times due to many factors in life we hurry on ahead without even noticing we have left Jesus behind - He is not with us. He did not leave us but we left Him and to find Him again we must go back to where He is. Luke's story helps us as we go from lost to found in our relationship. Introduction 1. We all lose things from time to time a. Keys, wallet, purse, tickets, money, etc i. Something I wonder if it came with our fallen nature or was always a part of our makeup b. We really panic when we lose important things i. Passports (especially while out of the country) ii. Wallet, keys - credit cards, IDs iii. kids - even if for a moment 2. Places where people visit have the opposite problem a. They accumulate peoples forgotten and lost items i. When they arent stolen - but merely forgotten and left behind b. We know to go back to the place we were last at and look for the "LOST AND FOUND" i. Just about everywhere has a place for the lost where they can be found ii. In fact in case you didnt know our church has a lost and found right by the door when you come in 1. It full so check to make sure you havent lost anything c. I think my gym has the best lost and found there is i. You dont even have to go back and ask for what you lost ii. Every time I go to workout and a get a good workout and have a routine going - I begin to lose weight and leave it at the gym - but I always find it at home again. 1. Yours too?! 3. The verses before us this morning share a story specific to Luke's gospel a. Its a story that happens in Jesus life when he is about 12 i. Mary and Joseph lost Jesus b. Now they weren't able to ask for the lost and found box, bin or area i. But they still found Him ii. Luke's story will help us to see - not only how we can lose Jesus or leave him behind, but how when we realize we have lost or gone on without Him how we can find Him again › SLIDE Luke 2:41-43 CSB 41 Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. 43 After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. › SLIDE Luke 2:44-46 CSB 44 Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day's journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. › SLIDE Luke 2:47-48 CSB 47 And all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." › SLIDE Luke 2:49-50 CSB 49 "Why were you searching for me?" he asked them. "Didn't you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father's house?" 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. › SLIDE Luke 2:51-52 CSB 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. › SLIDE Lost in the Routine › SLIDE Luke 2:41-43 CSB 41 Every year his parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. 43 After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. 1. The custom tradition and routine of Mary and Joseph is shared here in Luke' account, probably as told by Mary, cuz how else would Luke know? a. We see that it is recorded that every year - EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. Mary and Joseph travelled to Jerusalem for Passover i. Which follows along with what we have already been told about Mary and Joseph being righteous and obedient to God ii. You see every male was expected to appear at 3 festivals a year in Jerusalem 1. Passover 2. Pentecost 3. Tabernacles › SLIDE - the festivals Exodus 23:14-17 CSB 14 "Celebrate a festival in my honor three times a year. 15 Observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you are to eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, because you came out of Egypt in that month. No one is to appear before me empty-handed. 16 Also observe the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of your produce from what you sow in the field, and observe the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather your produce from the field. 17 Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD. › SLIDE - the requirement Exodus 34:23 CSB 23 Three times a year all your males are to appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. › SLIDE - the place God chooses Deuteronomy 16:16 CSB 16 "All your males are to appear three times a year before the LORD your God in the place he chooses: at the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Weeks, and the Festival of Shelters. No one is to appear before the LORD empty-handed. iii. The dispersion or scattering of the Jews made this requirement difficult if not impossible to keep 1. So most would make the point of going at least for Passover iv. Mary went with Joseph - though not required by law b. Luke in verse two tells us the context of Jesus life is now at his 12th year i. In his 12th year - as was their custom and obedience to the law they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the festival ii. Jesus now being 12 years of age is becoming a "son of the law" 1. He would be observing the ordinances and put on the phylacteries as a reminder 2. At age 13 he would be responsible for himself in keeping the law - in a celebration known as bar-mitzvah (literally son of the law or son of the covenant) iii. The law was that every male Jew within 15 miles of Jerusalem was required to observe Passover in Jerusalem 1. It was also the aim of every Jew in all the world to attend Passover in Jerusalem at least once in their lifetime iv. Jesus went to Passover - knowing He would be a son of the law soon 1. Do you think observing Passover fascinated Him? 2. The foreshadowing of His very mission? 2. When Passover was over Mary and Joseph began the journey home, not realizing they forgot Jesus in Jerusalem a. After the days were over or after the days were filled › SLIDE Exodus 12:15 CSB 15 You must eat unleavened bread for seven days. On the first day you must remove yeast from your houses. Whoever eats what is leavened from the first day through the seventh day must be cut off from Israel. › SLIDE Leviticus 23:6-8 CSB 6 The Festival of Unleavened Bread to the LORD is on the fifteenth day of the same month. For seven days you must eat unleavened bread. 7 On the first day you are to hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any daily work. 8 You are to present a fire offering to the LORD for seven days. On the seventh day there will be a sacred assembly; do not do any daily work." › SLIDE Deuteronomy 16:3 CSB 3 Do not eat leavened bread with it. For seven days you are to eat unleavened bread with it, the bread of hardship-because you left the land of Egypt in a hurry-so that you may remember for the rest of your life the day you left the land of Egypt. i. 7 days or 7 days plus two days after which the pilgrims would make the trek back home b. Jesus stayed behind i. Interest in the temple services is suggested as a reason ii. As is the interest in the teachers of the law and learning what the teachers taught › SLIDE Whatever the reason Jesus stayed behind, we must banish the thought that it was due to disobedience, even as a child Jesus perfectly obeyed. iii. The fact of the matter is that Jesus stayed behind and his parent were unaware 3. Mary and Joseph did not know that Jesus was not with them, that they left without Him a. This would have been the 12 year of Passover for them i. Twelve times they came for passover and 11 times they had gone back home without incident - it became a routine ii. Jesus had always gone up with them and had always gone back home with them b. As they prepared for the trip home as they always had before, surely Jesus would remember what they have always done before i. They had a long journey before them and they need to get hurrying 4. Mary and Joseph left Jesus behind in their yearly routine - how many of us do the same thing with our daily routine a. Routines can give a false sense of security - even good routines i. Routines are not bad - but be careful in routine that you do not miss, neglect, forget or overlook › SLIDE - the danger we must be aware of in routine Routine breeds familiarity and familiarity brings assumption › SLIDE Lost By Assumption › SLIDE Luke 2:44-45 CSB 44 Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day's journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 1. Mary and Joseph travelled an entire day's journey not knowing Jesus remained in Jerusalem a. Why didnt they know he remained in Jerusalem, and why did they travel a whole day's journey without Jesus? i. This happened because of assumption ii. His parents assumed He was in the traveling party 1. In those days traveling was dangerous - so they travelled in parties or caravans - more people higher numbers = better protection and deterrent for robbers and vandals. a. Usually women in the caravan started out much earlier than the men for they travelled slower. The men would travel much later and would move much faster and the two sections would meet at the evening encampment 2. Mary and Joseph just assumed Jesus was in the party a. Joseph said he must be with Mary b. Mary said he must be with Joseph c. Not until evening did they realize neither had him b. It was not because of carelessness they went without Jesus but because of assumption › SLIDE It is not by carelessness we will travel without Jesus but by assumption of His presence 2. After a days journey they began to look for Jesus a. Mary and Joseph had travelled the whole day happy and probably excited at their progress and how far they made it i. I am sure men even walking tried to beat the average traveling time - much like we do today ii. Then just like that - they realize they have no idea where Jesus is - their countenance drops and they frantically try to find him 1. I can hear Mary - going Please Lord forgive me for being so careless - I get the blessing of having a child - the messiah of all children and of course my luck is I lose Him 2. Joseph is saying "Lord this woman you gave me..." "if she would have just...." 3. Well that might be what we would hear from some today anyway a. How far would we travel before we began to notice Jesus was not with us? b. Next we read that Mary and Joseph began to search for Jesus among their relatives and friends i. If we dont bring Jesus with us, why would we assume He is with our relatives and friends? ii. A few examples 1. Corporate worship - we gather together and worship Jesus together - that doesnt mean Jesus goes with you home - do you bring Him home with you? › SLIDE Corporate worship doesnt negate private intimate worship of Jesus 2. If you dont bring Jesus with you in what you do and where you go - why would you expect someone else to bring Him? › SLIDE Just because others may know Jesus and have Jesus doesnt lift your responsibility to have Jesus with you 3. When they could not find Jesus they went back to where He last was to search for Him a. Mary and Joseph had gone on without Jesus and when they realized Jesus wasnt with them and they looked for Him - they knew they had to go back to Jerusalem i. They were all out of assumptions and all they were left with was knowing they must return to Jerusalem 1. Assumption can cause us to take truth for granted and when you dont follow truth you drift away › SLIDE Hebrews 2:1 CSB 1 For this reason, we must pay attention all the more to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away. › SLIDE Assumption keeps us from surely knowing › SLIDE Lost From Not Knowing › SLIDE Luke 2:46-48 CSB 46 After three days, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all those who heard him were astounded at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." › SLIDE Luke 2:49-50 CSB 49 "Why were you searching for me?" he asked them. "Didn't you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father's house?" 50 But they did not understand what he said to them. 1. Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem and searched for three days before finding Jesus a. They found Him in the temple sitting among teachers i. Jesus was probably on the terrace where members of the Sanhedrin gave public instruction on sabbaths and feast days ii. Rabbis sat in benches in a circle and listeners on the ground b. Jesus was listening and asking questions i. Not out of disrespect but that of interest and wonder at the intricacies of live and devotion ii. Those who heard him were astounded 1. Literally they stood out from themselves as if their eyes were bulging out 2. It took them three days because they didnt know a. Verse 48 says His parents were astonished - literally amazed to the point of losing mental composure i. Mary and Joseph were struck - not only struck but struck out by what they observed with their son ii. Even they did not fully know their son b. Despite their astonishment - Mary exasperated says - why did you do this to us - didnt you know your father and I were anxiously searching for you? i. Jesus responds by saying why were you searching for me? Didnt you know it was necessary for me to be in My Father's house? 1. Jesus tells His mom - if you knew me you would know where to find me 2. Jesus also revealed a distinction between them and God - Luke wanted to show that even at a young age Jesus knew who He was and what His mission was a. He was fully aware of His identity as the Son of God - shown my His use of My Father's house c. Why didnt Mary know? Why was she astonished at Jesus? Why didnt she understand? i. It could be perhaps she was His mother and in being His mother she forgot who her child was 1. She fed Him, and clothed Him, and cleaned up after Him - she taught Him to dress, walk, talk, and began him in the scriptures 2. She was familiar with Him as He was her everyday routine ii. Mary as Jesus mother had Jesus in Her routine › SLIDE Routine brings familiarity and assumption and assumption prevents us from knowing - this is how we lose sight of Jesus › SLIDE Found Through Acknowledging the Absence › SLIDE Luke 2:44 CSB 44 Assuming he was in the traveling party, they went a day's journey. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 1. Mary and Joseph in order to find Jesus had to acknowledge to themselves and others that they had lost Jesus a. We too when we realize we lost Jesus or He isnt with us, we must acknowledge it in order to begin looking for Him i. If we continue to move on ahead - knowing Jesus isnt with us and we dont stop acknowledge His absence and look for Him - then we will not find Him › SLIDE How desperately you seek to find the company of Jesus again reveals how precious He is to you › SLIDE Found When Searching the Right Place › SLIDE Luke 2:45-46 CSB 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 After three days, they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. › SLIDE Luke 2:48-49 CSB 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." 49 "Why were you searching for me?" he asked them. "Didn't you know that it was necessary for me to be in my Father's house?" 1. Mary and Joseph finally found Jesus after 3 days a. They place where they found Him wasnt where they wanted Him to be, but they found Him where He WAS at! i. They would have never found Him if they only checked the places where He wasnt › SLIDE How often do we look for Jesus where we want Him to be and not where He told us He is found? Conclusion › SLIDE Luke 2:51-52 CSB 51 Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. After these things we read - Jesus knowing His identity and mission subjected Himself to His parents. The one child who actually knew more than His parents still submitted and obeyed them. This is the last time we read about Joseph in Jesus' life. It would be 18 more years before Jesus would be called to His Messianic task. For 18 years Jesus would humble himself to be under His parents. To learn carpentry (a tough job today but way tougher then without power tools) and to take over His father's carpentry in Nazareth. The creator of the universe humbled in His place of obedience as a child in this family. We must remember that Jesus was not born superman. He developed and grew. He went through development process - physically, spiritually and naturally. At every stage or phase He was perfect in that stage or phase. Jesus is never lost - He remains where He is and if we have lost Him its because we have gone off and drifted away and we have become lost. The only way to be found is recognize Jesus is missing from us and to go to where He is found. He is not hiding, He is there waiting for us to find Him where He is. All you have to do is turn your heart to Him submission asking for forgiveness and He will be there. Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 11:53 AM August 17, 2019.