Missing Persons

If you’ve watched enough crime shows or read crime novels, you probably know what happens when someone turns up missing. Detectives begin to assemble the person’s last known location, talk to people who knew them and dig into their life. In essence they are looking for clues that will lead them to the missing person.

In Luke 2:41-50, when Jesus was 12, Mary and Jospeh made their annual trip to Jerusalem for Passover (41-42). On the trip home, after a day of travel, they realize Jesus is not with them and “began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him (44-45, NIV).” After three days of searching, “they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions (46).”

Naturally, Joseph and Mary are astonished to find him there. Mary told Jesus, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you (48).” To which Jesus responded, “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house (49)?” To be “in my Father’s house” literally means to be about the Father’s business.

The question I have for you: Are you about the Father’s business?” If someone was looking for you, where would they search for you? Would people who know you say you are about the Father’s business? If they began to piece together your life, what would they find? Would they discover you were about the Father’s business? Would they find you in the world or in your Father’s house? If you were lost, would they find you with Jesus?

© 2020 CGThelen