Has Anyone Seen Jesus
Has Anyone Seen Jesus?
[Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Terasha Burrell, wrapping up A Very Diva Christmas! Besides a short post from myself this coming Thursday, that’ll be it! Terasha was not the last person to submit her post, but after reading it I knew it had to be the last guest post in our Christmas series. It’s a wonderful call-to-action to remember who the season is about, and how to share Him with others.]
His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Luke 2: 41-49
Deck the halls with brown paper packages tied up with string. Dream of a white Christmas with chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Hark the herald angels sing these are a few of my favorite things. Here comes Santa Claus, but wait…where is Jesus? Has anyone seen Jesus?
I thought He was with me when I left church and headed to the mall to find a new dress for the holiday party. Honey, is Jesus with you? No, I went to help hang the rest of the Christmas lights at mom’s. Oh man, I think we got so busy and left Jesus back there. This sounds so silly, right? This holiday season, I want us to pause just long enough to remember where we left Jesus before we allowed the lists, parties, lights, traditions, cookies for Santa, and presents take the place of being in the presence of Jesus.
In Luke 2: 41-49, Joseph and Mary unknowingly left Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem after they had finished commemorating the Feast of the Passover. After going about their journey, they realized He was not with the crowd they were traveling with. They returned to Jerusalem to find Him three days later in the exact place they had mistakenly, or so they thought, left Him.
When questioned why He did not follow the crowd, Jesus answered: “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” I am not a mama, but mine would have backhanded me for that response. Nonetheless, His response serves a much greater purpose as a reminder for us today as we rush into the season of holiday cheer.
There are people who don’t know why we celebrate. There are people who need to know the real reason for this season. God put us here to be His hands and feet to go out to all the nations and spread the Gospel. Our children need to know that the presence of God is greater than the gifts under the tree. We must be about our Father’s business. This is a time where we get to stop and celebrate the birth of the most unique person in history. The birth of Jesus was the joining of God with humanity, and it was the very beginning of us being saved from our sins (Matthew 1:21). Translation: The greatest gift EVER! We must be about our Father’s business. Jesus was 12 years old when He came to this understanding, and I believe we can too.
Consider this…by grace we have been adopted. We are children of God and joint heirs with Jesus. Should we not be about our Father’s business too? Have you stopped to think about the deeper meaning of Christmas? We cannot follow the crowd and forget about Jesus. There is nothing wrong with celebrating Christmas and the special traditions that we have with our families, but as you look away from your lists, let’s get back to the Word of God and remember where we are supposed to be in this season.
I want to encourage you to make it a priority to show the love of Christ not by the dollar amount of your gift but by offering someone the gift of eternal life by introducing them to Jesus.
Take time with your family and friends to pray for each other and pray for the world. If you are serving somewhere this season, don’t miss the opportunity to share what you have learned so that someone might come to know Him.
More importantly, take that personal time for yourself and just sit in the presence of God to keep your heart in tune with His reason for this season. As you move about this holiday season, ask yourself: Is what I am doing glorifying Jesus? Make all that you do reflect the glory of the Most High and this Christmas will surely be a very special Christmas.
Coffee, Jesus, and writing run my life. I am currently falling in love with the traffic in Atlanta, GA, but sweet home Alabama is where I was raised. I write because it is my scapegoat. I write so that others may see the relentless, restoring, and redeeming power of God. I am not ashamed to bear my scars because my scars are proof that God heals. Follow her at: www.scaronmyforehead.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terashaburrell/ Instagram @terashawrites
