Have you ever been lost? Have you ever lost your child or an elderly parent? Losing a child is quite different than losing car keys or your favorite blanket. For your child, your home is a place they know they belong, and they feel safe with you; to be anywhere else is not ideal and sometimes can prove detrimental. When you were found, or found that child that was left behind, what usually happened next? A sigh of relief, perhaps, a hug, or a scold? I’d imagine the child would be frightened if they realized they were away from their parent, and while the parent searched for the child, the child would frantically be looking for the parent, right?
The first question Jesus asked is crucial because it starts us down the path of an essential topic for every human’s existence. We know that God creates everything with a purpose. Even the trees are made with a purpose. Yet some people are tempted to believe they’re just designed to wander about on earth without a place to belong, without identity, or purpose. While it would be good to start as Jesus did in the context of this verse at 12 years old, revealing He knew His identity and purpose, most people live their whole life without ever knowing the purpose for their existence. There is a unique importance in knowing that we were not only created to belong naturally in our physical families. It’s also important to recognize our spiritual positioning. Let’s begin our walk through the first question of our King today.
“Why were you searching for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” ~Luke 2:49
Before Mary (Jesus’ mother) was ever pregnant with Him, His purpose and identity were determined. Jesus was born King of the Jews. Can you imagine being 12 years old with complete awareness of your purpose on earth? Would it not make all the decisions and things that you have to face on a daily basis easier? Awareness of our identity and positioning as a kingdom citizen makes us most dangerous to the kingdom of darkness I might add.
Just as Jesus stood in the temple beaming as a glowing light because He knew His purpose and identity, so can You and I stand firm in our faith, shining bright, amazing onlookers for the glory of God’s Kingdom. Having been adopted as sons and daughters of the Most High God, we now have the privilege to cry out Abba Father. We have a hope and a future that can only be found when we know we belong in God’s family. If you haven’t yet realized this marvelous positioning as a child of the kingdom on mission with divine identity, I urge you to steal away for a moment to a quiet place and sit before Your Father, Our Lord, asking Him to show you that You belong in Him. Only God can take away what can sometimes feel like the “mystery” of life and bring clarity and peace to troubled minds. He shows us how we can divinely align with His will because we no longer belong to ourselves, but to Him.
The bible clearly says that Mary and Joseph did not understand what was happening when Jesus made this statement after searching for him for three days after negligently leaving him. Joseph could not reprimand Jesus when He said He had to be about His Father’s business. For even his parents were clear that He was not Joseph’s son, but God’s.
Some Questions for your consideration and thoughts for pondering would be:
What if you got the revelation today that your identity, your purpose, and your place do not come from human sources, but instead from a God who created and designed you with purpose? Would you live differently? Would you respond as Jesus did? Jesus was 12 years old, should He have been shaken up and afraid because His parents left Him by mistake? No fear and anxiety can abound for any person who is anchored in divine priorities, even when others don’t get us. This is about kingdom business, not personal preference.
GOoD Life Precepts
KeviJ
