Where is Jesus?

Jesus’ parents, after leaving the Passover Feast, could not find him and asked, “Where is Jesus?” for three days before finding him in the temple. Had they looked in the temple first, they would have found him right away. As we encounter rough patches in our lives, we also find ourselves asking, Where is Jesus? We find him by looking in the right place.

Scripture: Luke 2:41-52
Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him 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.”

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon “A Perplexed Parent“ delivered on Christian Crusaders January 4, 2004.

The life of Jesus is not a fairy tale, nor is it simply a legend. It is the story of God coming to this world. It is full of mystery that is revealed in part by the Holy Spirit to the Christian while he or she is here on this earth. It will be fully revealed only when we have come to our heavenly home. It is the mystery that adds to the joy of living with the Gospel and experiencing His love for us.

New on ChristianCrusaders.org
The Christian Crusaders website has a new faith link! Visit the Faith Links page and click on Words of Strength, a weekly devotion written by the Rev. Dick Bieber and based on scriptural events. Check back every Monday for a new uplifting message!

On the Light Side
Christmas Carol Quiz

1. Boulder of the Tinkling Metal Spheres
2. Castaneous-Colored Seed Vesicated in a Conflagration
3. Singular Yearning for the Twin Anterior Incisors
4. Righteous Darkness
5. Arrival Time: 2400 Hours. Weather: Cloudless
6. Loyal Followers Advance
7. Far Off in a Feeder
8. Array the Corridor
9. Bantam Male Percussionist
10. Monarchial Triad
11. Nocturnal Noiselessness
12. Jehoval Deactivate Blithe Chevaliers
13. Red Man En Route to Borough
14. Frozen Precipitation Commence
15. Proceed and Enlighten on the Pinnacle
16. The Quadruped with the Vermilion Proboscis
17. Query Regarding Identity of Descendant
18. Delight for This Planet
19. Give Attention to the Melodious Celestial Beings
20. The Dozen Festive 24 Hour Intervals

The program "Where is Jesus?" will air Sunday, December 27, 2009. Visit www.christiancrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online.