Luke 2:46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the doctors, both hearing them… Jesus Christ is only lost by sin; when lost, He must be found by repentance and grace. I. WE MUST KNOW OF OUR LOSS We often lose Him, at first, without knowing it, just as His parents did; we, like them, sooner or later find out our loss. 1. We must know of our loss if we would seek to regain it; we should not seek Jesus Christ if we did not know that we had lost Him. The beginning of salvation is the knowledge of sin. He who does not know that he sins, is not willing to suffer correction. 2. We must know of our loss, or we can never render God fitting honour and glory for our recovery from it. II. OUR WAY MUST BE BETRODDEN. We must look back, by examination of conscience, over that past life during which we have lived without Jesus Christ. 1. Sweep all sin away by our detestation of it (Luke 15:8). 2. Cover all our defilements in the robe of grace, that we may be meet for Jesus Christ (Song of Solomon 3:2). III. THE LOSS MUST BE MOURNED FOR. Contrition follows examination. 1. Undo, as far as possible, the dishonour done to God. 2. Punish sin in ourselves. The heart being the fount of sin, we afflict it with sorrow and remorse. IV. WE RETAIN OUR RECOVERED TREASURE. 1. NO gain to have found Jesus Christ with sorrow and hurt, if He be lost again. 2. A second time we may not be able to find Him. (M. Faber.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. |
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