Pastor How to Read LukeSample

Please read the Gospel of Luke 2:44-51.

Jesus was lost. But how can God be lost?

Jesus was exactly where He should be.

Jesus wasn’t lost. It was Joseph and Mary who didn’t follow Him.

When we feel that Jesus is not with us, it is not because Jesus left us. It’s because we didn’t follow Him. He is still in the Temple but we left.

49 (NLT) “But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

Again, youths are not too young to serve God. Jesus was 12 and He was doing His Father’s business (NKJV).

Our daughter started as a church photographer at 11. She went through her ‘tour of duty’ of cleaning toilets, ushering, backup vocalist, camp organizer, giving bible study, social media trainer, youth innovation team, leading a connect group, church intern, etc. I think you get the idea.

From Jesus’ answer – ‘I must be’ – there is such a sense of purpose, belonging and commitment.

Don’t underestimate 12-year-olds. They ‘must be’ in the Father’s house too.

Some thoughts for parents on ‘releasing’ their children.

Parents want to hold on to our cute boys and girls just a little longer. But the time will come... when they are around 12, and like Boy Jesus, they might ‘go off on their own’ and ‘disappear’. Jesus was pushing His independence.

Verse 48 - Mary was understandably stressed, anxious and even angry.

Parents sometimes feel like they lost their children to church. Like Mary, they are upset. I understand… Sometimes I don’t see my daughter for 3 days too, because she was ‘lost' in youth camp haha.

However my question to parents is "What are the alternatives?" They are growing teenagers. They will either be lost to worldly friends or lost in gaming or TikTok world. Your children are not ‘lost’ if they are ‘found' in God’s House. In fact, sometimes we should be like Joseph and Mary, and follow them back to the house of God.

51 Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.

On the other hand, if you are a young person, Verse 51 is clear that Boy Jesus was not rebellious or running away from home. He was obedient to His parents. Finding your purpose and belonging in church does not give you the license to neglect your parents and family. So young people, you need to be like teenage Jesus, obey your parents. Balance between God’s House and your home. Balance between independence and obedience.