By Mae Esther
Have you ever been lost? Did you feel scared? What happened when your parents found you? Today’s story is when Jesus gets lost at the temple. You can find the story in your bibles: Luke 2:41-52 (NIV)
STORY:
Mary craned her neck for the 100 hundredth time that afternoon and bit her bottom lip. Where was her son? For the last hour she had been scanning the crowd and hadn’t been able to spot him. She was sitting on her donkey and thought that maybe she could see him from that height – but nothing. Um, she thought, he was probably helping an elderly person who was lagging behind – knowing Jesus; he would be helping those in needs. She shook her head and smiled – yet that nagging feeling in her heart wouldn’t go away. She had to see him! Mary’s eyes darted back and forth as she inspected the long caravan of people and camels trailing behind. Mary sighed.
“Mary, are you ok?” Joseph asked looking up at her.
She shook her head, “Well, it’s just that I haven’t seen Jesus all day and I’m beginning to worry.” She shifted her body and stared at the dangerous mountains in the in the distance. “It’s getting dark and wild beast attack at night. I just want him to be safe.”
Joseph nodded, “In a few minutes we will make camp and I will go and get him.”
Mary exhaled and patted his hand, “Thank you dear.”
Soon, an exhausted group of travellers pitched their makeshift tents and other covers, to shelter them from the cool night.
Fires were lit and the smell of burning wood drifted through the camp.
While Joseph went in search of Jesus, Mary prepared flat bread, goat’s cheese and other delicacies for Jesus enjoy.
Suddenly Joseph’s raised frantic voice interrupted her cooking, “I can’t find him. No one has seen him!”
Mary gasped and clutched her chest, “Have you asked his cousins, aunts, uncles? What about the older people. Jesus must be helping someone in need! You know what he’s like.” The last words died in her throat when she saw Joseph’s pale face. “No.” He said shaking his head.
“We need to find him! We have to go back to Jerusalem!” She ran around the tent and grabbed some clothes.
Joseph followed close behind, “Mary, we can’t go tonight. It’s dangerous. We can start the trip very early in the morning.”
Reluctantly Mary agreed.
Early next morning before the sun came out – Mary and Joseph made the long trek back to Jerusalem in search of Jesus.
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FROM THE BIBLE: Do you know what happened next? Let’s look in our bibles. Go to Luke 2: 46-51
“46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.
48 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.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.
Let’s pray.
PRAYER:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for looking after me and keeping me safe during the night. I ask that my family, my friends and I feel your protection today everywhere we go. Give me also a joyous day so I can make others happy! In your name, Amen.
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Poppy’s Glitter Box
PHOTO CREDITS: Good News Productions International and College Press Publishing, Free Bible Images
