It seems that all parents, at one time or another, have felt the frantic anxiety of looking for a lost son or daughter who wandered off in a store or an enormous shopping mall. In the not too distant past, parents did not have the luxury of mobile technology, unlike parents today who can call, text, or even geolocate their kids to know right where they are in seconds. No doubt, Mary and Joseph would have liked to have such technology when looking for Jesus, who was missing at age 12.
Luke recorded when Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were in Jerusalem for the Passover’s annual feast. While on their way home, Joseph and Mary noticed that Jesus was not with them, nor was he with other group members, but instead, He was missing. Since they were traveling with family and friends, it was easy for the absence of a 12-year old boy to go unnoticed in those days. So the frantic parents set out for Jerusalem to look for Him.
“We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.“
John 9:4
Joseph and Mary found Him sitting in the temple, talking with the teachers, who were amazed by His understanding. When Mary asked Him why He had done this, Jesus replied, “Why is it that you were looking for me, did you not know I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49/NKJV).
If Jesus was so ready at age 12 to be about His Father’s business, why are there so many Christians today who are less than eager to be about our Father’s business? What is our Father’s business? Our Father is in the business of spiritual restoration. His desire is for no one to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
How does one come to repentance? It begins with hearing the gospel message and the inward convicting work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of those who are spiritually lost. You see, the convicting power of the gospel is the Holy Spirit’s job, the willingness to be obedient and share the good news is the job of each disciple.
Jesus instructs those who choose to follow Him as His disciples to go and make other disciples. Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20).
As the world continues to reel from the devastating impact caused by the global pandemic and the chaos that has since ensued across the United States in the wake of social unrest and injustice, the Church needs to step up in prayer and step out to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus commands us to be that preacher of whom Paul spoke, that fisher of men of whom He spoke, and to love God with all of our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-32).
Be encouraged to take a step of faith and ask God to point you to people who need to hear the message of salvation and use you as His spokesperson.
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“God never leaves you nor forsakes you.” I’ve heard that before. “Jesus will leave the 99 to come after you.” I’ve heard that one too. Meanwhile, fear creeps up when life hurls a season of loneliness our way, and poof! Churchy sayings hold as much weight as thin air. Believe it or not, God is cheering us on and inviting us to thrive amidst the loneliness. Yes, it’s weird and scary, but this emptiness is a safe space where you get to hear the God of everything speak the loudest. You’re safe because God is so good at owning goodness amidst our dank, confused, lonely seasons, and because of Him, you aren’t so by yourself.”
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A Faithful Sower Publishing is a limited liability company that is dedicated to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and help guide people into a relationship with God and grow in that relationship. The publisher, editors, and authors achieve that end through prayer and the careful exposition of the Bible to best explain and illustrate Scripture in a meaningful engaging way so others can apply its truths to their everyday life. The mission of the the A Faithful Sower ministry team is to carry out the Great Commission issued to all who choose to follow Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Jesus commands us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
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