This past week, while unpacking boxes and trying to put things away in the house, I cannot tell you how many times I’ve said, “I’ve lost [fill in the blank] and I have no idea where it is! I just had it moments ago!” lol But did I really lose it? No. I simply set the object down somewhere in the house, walked away, and momentarily forgot where I placed it. The house is not lost. The item is not lost. I left it somewhere inside and moved on without it.
In the Gospel of Luke, we read that Mary and Joseph have made their annual journey to Jerusalem. After the Passover celebration, they began traveling back home to Nazareth. Jesus, now twelve years old, would have been traveling either with the group of men or the group of women. Each parent assumed He was with the other. At the end of the first day’s journey, when it was time to stop and rest, they realized something alarming—Jesus was not with either of them. Unknowingly, they had left Him behind in Jerusalem. They hurried back and found Him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions—fully engaged in the things of His Father (Luke 2:42–49).
As we walk our Lenten journey toward Jerusalem, reflecting on the life and mission of Christ, this passage gently asks us a searching question: Are we traveling with Jesus, or have we unknowingly continued on without Him? Sometimes we say, “I feel like I’ve lost Jesus.” But Scripture reminds us that He is never the One who wanders off. He is always about the Father’s business. If distance has formed, it is not because Christ moved—it is because we stepped ahead, lagged behind, or insisted on our own direction. We have not lost Him. We have simply, for a moment, walked our own path.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT We are promised, 6 So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
He goes ahead of us. He does not abandon us. He does not get lost.
The invitation of Lent is not merely to remember Christ’s journey—but to realign our steps with His. To return, if necessary. To seek Him intentionally. To position ourselves again in the place where He is working, teaching, and fulfilling the Father’s will in and through us. So, let’s not assume we are walking with Him. Let us intentionally follow Him and his Word. Because when we stay close to Jesus, we are never truly lost.
Prayer: Father God, during this sacred Lenten journey, search our hearts. Reveal to us any place where we have unknowingly walked ahead of You or lagged behind. Forgive us for the times we have assumed Your presence without intentionally seeking Your direction. Lord Jesus, You are always about the Father’s business. Help us to be about it too. When we grow distracted, self-directed, or impatient, gently call us back. Give us humble hearts that are quick to return and willing to follow closely. Holy Spirit, align our steps with Christ. Teach us to walk in courage and confidence, trusting that You go before us and never abandon us. Strengthen us to choose Your will over our own and to remain faithful on the journey to the cross—and beyond it. We do not want to travel without You. Lead us, Lord. We will follow. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen