3.17.8 "I've Lost God!"

"I've Lost God!"

Numbers 26:1-51
Luke 2:36-52
Psalm 60:1-12
Proverbs 11:15

The beginning of Luke 2 is the Christmas Story, then comes the story of Simeon blessing him, as well as Anna, an elderly prophetess who spent day & night interceding in the Temple. This chapter wraps up with one of the few glimpses of Jesus' childhood.

"When Jesus' parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the Law of God they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child became a strong, robust lad, and was known for wisdom beyond his years; and God poured out his blessings on him." (39-40)

We all know the story that comes next. The family visits Jerusalem. Jesus hangs out at the temple the whole time. Mary & Joseph think he's with the fellow travelers, and head home. It isn't until they've traveled a full day that they realized he wasn't there, and then it wasn't until 3 days later that they found him in the temple! I can just imagine the intensity of Mary's concern. I know how upset it would be if it was my daughter, but you add on all that stuff from the beginning of the chapter. (you know, angels, shepherds...) I'm sure Mary was freaking! "Um... you know that messiah you sent... yeah well... we lost him!" I'm a bit warped, but i've always imagined that thought process.

That being said, That isn't the point of this DEVO. I would like to focus on the balance of discipline, submission, and responsibility. As our responsibility increases, so must our discipline and submission. Jesus had a tremendous amount of responsibility. His responsibility was met with his discipline.

Having read this story many times, I'd never spent much time thinking about his answer when Mary found him. "But why did you need to search?" he asked. "Didn't you realize that I would be here at the Temple, in my Father's house?"

This can be read several ways, and because we know the mind of many 12 year olds in our culture, we can impose a defiant attitude to those words. I don't think that's accurate. Jesus never sinned, and rebellion is definitely a sin, so that could not have been his tone. What I believe he was saying is "The responsibilities before me constrain me to be where I need to be. I'm sure you've spent time looking at the arcade, the mall, and the other places the other kids hang out, but there's no way I can do that. What is before me is so intense, I must walk a different course. I must be in my Father's house." In other words, "I commit to you that you can trust me. I must be about the work of the kingdom."

Jesus is growing in wisdom. In verse 47 it says he was "amazing everyone with his understanding and answers." His wisdom does not mark the end of his submission however. in verse 51 it says, "Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them;" He knew where he was and he knew what he was called to do.

How about you & me? Do I fully understand the responsibilities I have? As we've discussed in the past, Submission is the principle of Relationships Devoted to Unity. Discipline is the principle of Empowered Through Biblical Training. Responsibility is the principle of Active Ministry Involvement. To Live the DREAM, we must give focussed attention to these elements.

As we grow in our relationship with the Lord, we will experience transformation. We should be experiencing growth. Sometimes we find ourself in a rut. I believe an increase in discipline is what's necessary to break out of the rut.

We need to fear our Responsibility being greater than our discipline. If that's the case, we are headed for trouble. All of these elements must work together for growth in the Balanced Christian Life.

Get into the Word today!


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ