“After three days they found him {Jesus} in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” (Luke 2: 46-49, NIV)
Can you believe it?? Mary and Joseph lost Jesus – their twelve year old son – the Messiah – the Son of God – the Savior of the world!
How does one lose Jesus? And not for just a couple of hours – but for three days?
Can you imagine the fear of Mary and Joseph as they realized they had misplaced Jesus? The thoughts that flew through their minds? The panic felt in their hearts as they searched from one place to another? The anxiousness as one day became two days and two days became three?
I can!
I often saw it on the face of my Mom as I played “Hide N Seek” when we visited the local department store. I would hide between the packed out clothing on the sales racks – staying put until I would hear the tension in her voice as she yelled, “Donna Frances” ! What is it with Moms and middle names? Once that middle name is added to the mix , you know you’re in for quite a discussion as soon as you get home!
As I reflect on Mary and Joseph misplacing Jesus, I get it! Unfortunately, I get it all too well!
You see, I too often misplace Jesus.
- I misplace Jesus when I leave Him between the pages of my Bible.
- I misplace Jesus when I leave Him in the chair of the sanctuary as I exit the church.
- I misplace Jesus when I call my friends to share my life before I share with Him.
- I misplace Jesus when I hear His voice and ignore it.
- I misplace Jesus as I pray for my wants and not praise Him for His provision.
- I misplace Jesus when I give others credit for the happenings of my life – both the good and the bad.
- I misplace Jesus when I get too busy doing instead of being with Him.
I not only misplace Jesus – I also play “Hide N Seek” with Him! My games usually last for more than three days – sometimes they linger from Sunday to Sunday. Most of the time, I hide rather than seek.
As I misplace Jesus and engage in my games of “Hide N Seek”, I am thankful that Jesus plays by a different set of rules – His set of rules! A written set of rules found in Jeremiah 29: 12- 14a, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.
Rules including action from us and action from Jesus. Rules causing us to call out the name of Jesus (no middle name warranted or needed). Rules calling us to go to Jesus. Rules involving us talking to Jesus. Rules requiring Jesus to listen. Rules initiating a search to find Him. Rules allowing Jesus to be found.
Jesus, thank You for being the writer of the rules – rules that never change. Thank You for not only hearing us but for also listening . Thank You that no middle name is required. Thank You for letting us find You. Forgive us when we misplace You and hide from You. In your name, Amen.
I am currently in a season of seeking Jesus in between the pages of my Bible and the pages of Renee Swope’s “A Confident Heart Devotional“. Share how you seek Jesus in the comment section for a chance to receive a free copy of Renee’s devotional.
Donna Bostick 
Comments on: "Misplaced Jesus" (21)
Thank you for these words Donna!! I’ve been the mom of a misplaced child…scary times, but as I read your words I’m reminded it’s even scarier when I misplace Jesus!! Which I do…especially in the busyiness of life. Last fall God used my kids playing “Hide and Seek” to really speak to me and your post here, led me back to mine and a needed reminder of seeking HIM with all of my heart! Thank you for this!!
I’m trying to seek Him by being more intentional and disciplined.
Jill,
You are not alone with being intentional and disciplined. I too need to work on those things – a lot!
Blessings,
Donna
Donna, I LOVE LOVE how you took this story and brought it alive to me!! Thank you. Wow!! I never really thought of this story from that perspective. I too misplace Jesus…in many of the same places you do. 🙂
Thank you for sharing such wise words today!!
Love you,
Wendy
Wendy,
Thanks for amazing encouragement!
Love you too!
Donna
Convicted…I also misplace Jesus. I am seeking Jesus from the very beginning in Genesis all the way through to Revelation. I have read through the whole Bible in the past, but kind of got away from it with the exception of reading it as part of my Bible studies. Blessed by your post today! Love you! P.S. Is that you in the picture? 🙂
Hey friend!!
Nope definitely not me in the picture. I was a toe-head – hair was as blonde as blonde could be – almost white until college! So blessed that God uses my words to bless you.
Love you too!
Donna
Beautifully, beautifully written!
Thanks Dawn! Miss you!
How your message hit home to me! I, too, misplace Jesus, especially in my busyness. I have Renee’s book, A Confident Heart, and have tried 3 times to join in a study of the book, but I got too busy to even complete one study
Teresa,
I so get the busyness …. I will be praying for you to complete the book. It was a life changer for me.
Donna
This is something to ponder — where have I misplaced Jesus? Thank you for this perspective!
Thanks for your encouraging words. Praying that things with you are well and did I see that you are getting ready to move east?
Donna
Jos ei ole tullut jo ilmi, niin minäkin olen niin kurkkuani myöten täynnä kotielämää, että todellakin ymmärrän ton työhingun! Multa vaan se paikka vielä puuttuu (ja aikaa sen hakuun). Ja sisustus… Kun on kotona, kodin pitäs olla kunnossa, mut ei oo rahaa laittaa. Kun on töissä, kotona ei ole niin paljon ja silloin pitäs olla rahaa, mutta ei ole aikaa sitäkään vertaa. Tyhmän riritsiitaista.
Great post, Donna. Made me giggle because we did the same thing to my mom (then when we took my lil bro shopping, he always scared the soup out of me doing the same thing.)
Wonderful things to think about, because I seem to “misplace” him on a regular basis. Le sigh. Thanks for the thoughts!
Oh, PS! Thanks so much for stopping by the Everyday Jesus Link Up… Much appreciated. Hope to see you back next week 🙂
“Misplacing” sounds accidental. Unfortunately for me, and ashamedly so, I don’t accidentally misplace Jesus. I intentionally leave Him behind, shove Him to the side, etc. I’m totally guilty of everything on your list as well, Donna.
But the amazing thing is, He still pursues me. He still woos me. He still wants a relationship with me. He still draws me unto Himself. Definitely His grace at work. Aahhh…I can rest in that amazing grace!
Thanks for the great post!
I seek Him through as much prayer as possible and right now I’m listening to LifeWay’s new Women Devotions audio CD in the car. Great way to get His message on a busy schedule.
WOW!! LOVE this!! I have misplaced Jesus in so many ways and so many times that I’d be considered an unfit mother if I had misplaced my children the way I have Him. Getting caught up in the cares of the world, taking my eyes off Him, the source of my everything, is my biggest way of misplacing Him. Thank for this awesome revelation.
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