Other than the birth of Jesus, the only Biblical record we have of His childhood is found in Luke 2:41-52. Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem to sacrifice for the Passover. When He was 12, they headed home with a large group from their annual trip. They got about a day’s journey away from Jerusalem when they realized He wasn’t with them. They frantically went back to Jerusalem to look for Jesus. When they found Him a couple of days later, He was in the Temple teaching and learning. After they chastised Him, Jesus replied, “Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father’s house and [occupied] about My Father’s business?” (AMP)
What I see here in Joseph and Mary is a mirror of many Christians today. There have been so many current events and technological breakthroughs that make us believe the return of Jesus is close. We have begun to frantically look for Jesus to return because of them. We spend most of our time looking up instead of down. I have a feeling that when He does return, those people will almost want to chastise Him and ask, “Where have you been? What took you so long?”
I’ve looked through a lot of scriptures to see where it tells us to look for His return. What I read are a lot of verses that tell us to be busy about our Father’s business while we wait. Acts 1:11, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?” Hebrews 10:24, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…, all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Matthew 24:51, “Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” (all ESV)
Yes, we are to wait for His appearing, but as the time draws near, we shouldn’t frantically be looking for it. We should be frantically occupied with the Father’s business. The signs of the times aren’t to get us to look up and pack our bags. They’re to get us to look to the harvest and save as many as we can. It’s ok to be excited at what these times bring, but let that excitement turn into doing everything you can to win souls. Jesus’ desire is that none should perish. When He returns, let Him find you working in the vineyard instead of sitting on a rooftop looking up.
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 