How can we diligently seek Jesus when we feel He is "not with them"? The Moment of Alarm—Luke 2:45 “When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him.” What Mary and Joseph Teach Us about Seeking Jesus • Immediate awareness: They noticed His absence before the day ended. • Swift response: They stopped everything and turned back. • Focused pursuit: Their only agenda became finding Jesus. • Persistent search: Three days of looking, questioning, retracing steps. Practical Ways to Seek Jesus Today 1. Return to the place you last met Him • Re-engage the Scripture passage, worship song, or fellowship setting where His presence was unmistakable. • Revelation 2:5—“Remember then how far you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first.” 2. Immerse yourself in the Word • Jesus is always present in His Word (John 1:1). • Daily, systematic reading keeps us aligned with His voice. • Psalm 119:105—“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” 3. Pray with honest urgency • Pour out confusion, doubt, and longing (Psalm 62:8). • Expect an answer: Hebrews 11:6—He “rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” 4. Seek godly community • Mary and Joseph asked relatives; we ask believers who know Him. • Proverbs 27:17—“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” 5. Obey the last instruction you received • Jesus reveals more to hearts already committed to act on what He says (John 14:21). • Disobedience dulls spiritual sensitivity; obedience sharpens it. 6. Worship before you feel anything • Worship realigns the soul to truth regardless of emotions (Psalm 22:3). • Habakkuk 3:17-18 models praise in barren seasons. Promises to Anchor the Search • Matthew 28:20—“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” • Jeremiah 29:13—“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” • Psalm 139:7-10—Wherever we go, His hand leads and holds us. Encouragement from Other Passages • Luke 24:15—The risen Jesus walked beside the two disciples while “their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.” He may be nearer than we realize. • 2 Chronicles 15:2—“If you seek Him, He will be found by you.” Key Takeaways • Feeling His absence is not equal to being abandoned; it is an invitation to deeper pursuit. • Turn back quickly, search persistently, and use the means God has already given—Word, prayer, worship, obedience, and fellowship. • Scripture assures that those who seek Jesus with all their hearts will find Him; the journey itself deepens trust and love. |
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