Jesus at the Temple; Journey with Jesus into a New Year

David W Palmer

(Luke 2:43 NKJV) When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it.

As we draw near to the end of the passages about Jesus’s birth and childhood, we come to this story that is perfect for us as we contemplate a new year in God. It began with a routine journey—one his parents took him on every year:

1. A Routine Journey:

(Luke 2:41–42 NKJV) His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. {42} And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.

Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them, and went on the same journey every year. For them it was routine; they went annually to Jerusalem according to the “custom” of the Feast. This is like our weekly routine of attending church, or our journey through each year leading up to Christmas—the customary annual festival of much of the world, which leads directly into our new year.

Jesus’s family did this as a habitual routine, and nothing unexpected happened for the first decade. Perhaps like them, you have been journeying into each new year just as you have in the past—having Jesus with you. And of course, Jesus will never leave or forsake us, but …

2. A Journey without Jesus:

(Luke 2:43 MSG) When it was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it.

Suddenly, without suspecting it was even possible, Joseph and Mary found themselves in a very embarrassing and alarming situation; they had wandered away from Jesus. After the annual celebration (a bit like our annual Christmas festivities), they embarked on a new year’s journey. Somehow, they just assumed that Jesus would be with them as he had been every year for the previous decade; but he wasn’t.

What’s even more indicting is that “his parents didn’t know it.” They headed out into their new year on what they thought was a routine trip, only to find that they were on a journey into a new year without Jesus. (Naturally for us, Jesus is always with us. This story simply helps us see that it’s possible to embark on visions, journeys, or endeavors that Jesus is not in.)

3. A Journey Seeking Jesus:

(Luke 2:44 NKJV) But supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.

Like many of us, Jesus’s parents assumed that he was in the crowd they were travelling with. When they realized that he wasn’t with them, they began to seek him. Unalarmed at first, they began to look for him among their relatives and friends. Perhaps their assumption and thinking was: “Surely someone has taken the responsibility to ensure that Jesus is with us where we are headed this year.”

We can all find it too easy to leave it to someone else to have sought for Jesus, found his vision for the year, and ensured that we are going where he is going.

(Luke 2:45 NKJV) So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.

This is where the story gets interesting and very personal; this is where it really hits home for all of us.

The “crowd” they were travelling with readily reported that Jesus wasn’t with them. In other words, they were all heading into their new year on a different journey to Jesus—one without personal intimacy and his manifest presence. But even though they were aware of this, they simply and unwisely kept going. Let’s not fall for either trap; let’s not simply assume he’s in the crowd; and let’s not keep going with our routine despite discovering that it’s not the journey Jesus is on. If we continue, we would surely be getting further and further away from our closeness with him, his grace for us, and his full blessing.

Joseph and Mary—who had been charged by God Almighty with the guardianship of his Son—had lost him. They took their eyes off Jesus, assuming all was well and that they were travelling along fine with him in the crowd. Now, they at least admitted their wrong; they pulled away from the routine crowd, and they began a different journey—one seeking Jesus, albeit, anxiously and on their own. This time, they weren’t seeking among the crowd; they were seeking him earnestly where they last were sure he was with them, but locating him wasn’t easy.

After three days of seriously searching for Jesus, they found him:

(Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV) And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Perhaps, like the proverbial frog in the kettle, they didn’t realize just how far they had wandered off from Jesus—just how far from true intimacy with him they had become. They hadn’t even noticed that his manifest presence was no longer evident with them. Is this where you are? Has the crowd you are travelling with and all the festivities taken your eyes from Jesus?

(Luke 2:46–47 NKJV) Now so it was that 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 astonished at His understanding and answers.

We should not be surprised that intimacy and communication with Jesus was rediscovered in the atmosphere of the word. Jesus was—and always is—in the midst of the [Holy Spirit filled and led] teachers. He was found amid discussions around God’s word, where people are “astonished” at his revelations. Can I encourage you to withdraw from the complacent crowds, the festivities, and the routine; seek Jesus afresh; you will always find him in the Word.

Mary’s love, frustration, and possibly a little guilt, overflowed in her words to Jesus. But perhaps what she said was not the right response—considering that they were the ones who wandered off from him by following mindless routine and journeying with the crowd:

(Luke 2:48 NKJV) So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”

Jesus’s mother thought that this separation was something Jesus had done to them. She confessed the anxiety her temporary separation from Jesus had caused. At least Mary’s response to losing touch with Jesus was a better response than the complacency of the “routine” crowd. They enjoyed their routine journey, the fellowship, the feasting, etc.; but they didn’t seem too concerned that Jesus wasn’t with them.

Jesus’s response was surprising, but it should not surprise us at all; for us, it should be obvious where Jesus is to be found:

(Luke 2:49–50 NKJV) And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” {50} But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

From Jesus’s response to Mary, we can learn much about Jesus, where we can meet with him, and what his Father’s business is. Jesus is the Word; so of course, we can meet with him any time we meditate in his Word, listen to anointed preaching, participate in Bible discussions, and sit with Holy Spirit-gifted teachers. These are his environment—where he is at home.

What is Jesus’s “Father’s business”? Obviously, it is focus on the Living Word of God. The word is creative, and everything begins with the word:

(John 1:1–3 NKJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. {2} He was in the beginning with God. {3} All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Do you need to meet with Jesus to discover what journey he wants you on in the new year? From what we have seen with Jesus today, the answer is obvious; begin in the word, and you will discover closeness and conversation with Jesus.

The plan Jesus has for your journey into next year may not come instantly. But if you begin with him in the word, revelation will begin to flow. He may begin speaking to you about unrelated topics, and weave around from place to place in the word. Nevertheless, little by little, a picture will form in your spirit until it becomes fully clear.

Like Joseph and Mary, you may need three days or longer in focused seeking; but also like them, you will find him. Suddenly, you will receive the gift of faith; you will know your direction, and you will have an absolute assurance that Jesus will be with you in intimate relationship, gracious manifestation, and blessing.

4. A Journey with Jesus:

(Luke 2:51 NKJV) Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.

Jesus was “subject” to his parents for the next eighteen years—until he was thirty. And I’m sure Mary’s diligence and strictness was a little tighter after losing the Son of God—even for a short time.

I encourage you today, be ready for some strict discipline if your desire is to journey where Jesus wants you, and if you want to increase:

(Luke 2:52 NKJV) And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Today, ask yourself what journey you are on right now. Is it:

A routine journey,

A Journey without Jesus,

A Journey seeking Jesus, or

A journey with Jesus?

P.S. Thank you for participating with these devotional teachings throughout 2022. I will be taking a break from posting for a while, but look forward to reconnecting with you in 2023. Praying for you, David