Lost and Found – Family Devotion – December 27, 2021

Read: Luke 2:41-52

After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 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?”

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.
Luke 2:46,48,49,51

Lost and Found

 

Family Devotion – December 27, 2021

Devotion based on Luke 2:46,48,49,51

See series: Devotions

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Tears swelled in Molly’s eyes. Her head spun around as her eyes darted here and there, frantically looking for her parents. Fear welled up in her heart. She didn’t see anyone she knew. She was lost.

Have you ever been lost? It is a scary thing to be lost. Parents, ever had that moment where you lost sight of a child? That is also frightening. It is why parents often tell their children, “Stay here! Stay close to me! Don’t wander off!”

Mary and Joseph experienced that feeling of having a lost child. As they left Jerusalem, they thought they knew where Jesus was. They thought he was traveling with their group of friends and relatives as they headed home. But they were wrong. They couldn’t find him. Mary and Joseph thought Jesus was lost!

They searched for three days. Finally, Mary and Joseph found him sitting in the temple courts, talking to the people who taught God’s Word and asking them questions. Jesus was at his church listening and growing in God’s Word!

Jesus was a special child, wasn’t he? He wasn’t just the son of Mary. He was the Son of God, the Savior God the Father had sent to rescue us. Jesus wasn’t being disobedient to Mary and Joseph when they couldn’t find him. Jesus was doing what his heavenly Father wanted, learning God’s Word and spending time in God’s house.

Sometimes you and I find it hard to do what our heavenly Father wants. He wants to us be closer to him. He wants us to learn more about what God’s Word says and to spend time in God’s house. But be honest, we aren’t always eager to go to church or Sunday School or a Bible class. We may not be too enthusiastic to take time to read a Bible story or talk to God in prayer. Maybe you’re not even happy about how long this devotion is taking!

That’s what makes Jesus so special. He came to take your place. You and I sin, we don’t always do what our heavenly Father wants. So, Jesus was perfectly obedient to God the Father in our place. You and I aren’t perfectly obedient to our parents. So, Jesus perfectly obeyed Mary and Joseph in our place. Jesus’ perfection covers over your imperfections. Because of Jesus, you are forgiven!

Jesus was a special child. He is our special Savior. Because he took our place, you and I will never be lost or separated from our heavenly Father!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to earth and taking my place. Thank you for being obedient to God the Father in my place and forgiving my sin. Help me to follow in my Savior’s footsteps by being obedient to you and those over me. In your name I pray. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

  • Have you ever gotten lost? Describe what happened and how it made you feel.
  • Jesus loved to be at church. Give one reason why you love your church.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

  • How did Jesus show love and respect for God’s Word and his parents in this lesson?
  • Name as many people as you can who taught you about God’s Word.

Questions for Middle School and Above

  • Jesus asked his teachers questions. What’s one question you’d like to ask your pastor?
  • List three ideas to include God’s Word into your daily life.

 

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
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