Week 12: Finding Jesus

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Numbers 26:1-51; Luke 2:36-52; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 11:15
• Monday: Numbers 26:52-28:15; Luke 3:1-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 11:16-17
• Tuesday: Numbers 28:16-29:40; Luke 3:23-38; Psalm 62:1-12; Proverbs 11:18-19
• Wednesday: Numbers 30:1-31:54; Luke 4:1-30; Psalm 63:1-11; Proverbs 11:20-21
• Thursday: Numbers 32:1-33:39; Luke 4:31-5:11; Psalm 64:1-10; Proverbs 11:22
• Friday: Numbers 33:40-35:34; Luke 5:12-28; Psalm 65:1-13; Proverbs 11:23
• Saturday: Numbers 36:1-Deuteronomy 1:46; Luke 5:29-6:11; Psalm 66:1-20; Proverbs 11:24-26

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the Gospel of Luke: 

Scripture: Luke 2:45-50
"When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
"His parents didn't know what to think. 'Son,' his mother said to him, 'why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.'
"'But why did you need to search?' he asked. 'Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?' "But they didn't understand what he meant."

Observation:
Mary and Joseph were thinking like parents when they told Jesus they had been frantically looking for him and when they asked the question, "Why have you done this to us?"

But Jesus answered them like the Messiah: "Why did you have look for me? You should have known all along where to find me."

Application:
Jesus is never hard to find. He is always right in the middle of the Father’s business.

When we feel like we've lost Jesus, it is usually because we've ventured off without him in one direction or another. At first it might feel like we've chosen the right path. And often we have plenty of traveling companions and many activities to keep us busy. But when it finally dawns on us that we have been traveling without Jesus, there is only one place to find him. He is right where we should expect him to be, doing the Father's will. And when we seek to do the same, we find ourselves back in fellowship with Jesus.

Prayer:
Father in Heaven, please show me the ways I have been traveling without you, and lead me back to that place of safety, rest, and assurance in the center of your will. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck