January 23 - Walking with the Savior

“And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.” (Luke 2:43, KJV)

In Christ’s life, every action held meaning and purpose. Each event was designed to impart lessons for His followers in future generations. The account of Jesus staying behind in Jerusalem offers profound instruction.

Jesus understood the hearts of people. He knew that as the crowd returned home in groups from Jerusalem, their conversations would often stray from topics of humility and grace, and the Messiah and His mission would be largely forgotten. He chose instead to remain in Jerusalem and later return with His parents alone. By doing so, He provided them with precious time to reflect on the prophecies regarding His coming suffering and death. He desired that the painful events of His mission would not come as a shock to them but that they would meditate on the plan of salvation.

Separated from them during their return, His absence caused great distress, and His parents searched for Him sorrowfully for three days. This experience serves as an essential lesson for all who follow Christ. It highlights the need for vigilance in ensuring Jesus’ presence remains central in our lives. When believers gather together, there is a danger of neglecting to keep Christ at the center of their conversations and actions. If Jesus is forgotten, they may continue their journey unaware of His absence, losing the peace and joy He alone provides. Realizing their condition, they must retrace their steps to find Him again, a process that often requires time and deep searching.

Jesus does not remain in the company of those who are careless about His presence and engage in discussions unrelated to their Redeemer. However, it is the privilege of every believer to keep Christ close. To do so, their words must be chosen carefully, filled with grace. Their hearts and minds must be disciplined to dwell on heavenly and divine matters.

By cherishing His presence and focusing on the things of God, His followers can experience the peace and joy that only He can give. Let us guard our words and thoughts, always striving to walk in harmony with the Savior and never losing sight of His abiding presence in our lives.