A panicked mother asked her twelve-year-old son, “Child, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” Of course, those familiar with Scripture will recognize these as the words of Mary to Jesus in Luke 2:48. His earthly parents supposed He was with relatives on the journey back home to Nazareth from Jerusalem. Luke says they went a day’s journey and then began to search for Jesus, only to find that He was missing. The Bible says in Luke 2:45 that when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem searching for Him.
If Jesus is going to be found today, the search should take us back to Jerusalem. It was in this city that Jesus told His apostles to wait in the days following His ascension back to heaven. Jerusalem was the place Jesus said, “Repentance and forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations,” (Luke 24:47).
Jesus is not found in human institutions with earthy headquarters in Rome, Salt Lake City, Springfield, Missouri, or in any other city. Jesus is not found in any religious group started by men, but only in His church which can trace its roots back to Jerusalem.
Consider what is found when we return to Jerusalem:
The church of Christ (the church that belongs to Jesus) is established and Jesus adds the saved to His church – Acts 2:47.
The plan that must be followed if one is going to be saved – Acts 2:36-38.
The pattern for gospel preaching – Acts 2:14-40.
The pattern for acceptable worship to God – Acts 2:42.
The pattern for true unity and gracious generosity as the family of God – Acts 2:44-45.
The place for true joy as those found in Jesus – Acts 2:46. The place where true praise is offered to God as those saved in Jesus – Acts 2:47.
Oh, the relief Joseph and Mary must have felt when reconciled with their Son upon finding Him in Jerusalem! Jesus is found only when we return to Jerusalem. Thanks be to God that through Him we find reconciliation! (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
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