Rediscovering Jesus Amidst Religious Routines
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound narrative of Mary and Joseph losing Jesus during the Feast of Passover, as recounted in Luke 2:40-50. This story serves as a poignant reminder of how easy it is to lose sight of Jesus amidst the busyness and rituals of life. Mary and Joseph, despite being the earthly parents of Jesus, lost Him not in a place of sin, but in the midst of religious activity. This highlights a critical truth: it is possible to be deeply involved in religious practices and yet lose connection with Jesus.
The story challenges us to examine our own lives. Are we so caught up in the routines of church and religious activities that we have lost our personal connection with Jesus? It's a call to introspection, urging us to ensure that our spiritual practices are not just habitual but are genuinely connecting us to Christ. The danger lies in assuming that because we are engaged in religious activities, Jesus is automatically with us. This assumption can lead to a spiritual drift, where we find ourselves going through the motions without the presence of Jesus in our lives.
The narrative also offers hope. Mary and Joseph found Jesus exactly where they left Him—in the temple. This is a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey. If we find ourselves distant from Jesus, we can return to the place where we last felt His presence. It’s a call to return to the basics of our faith, to the Word and the Spirit, which are the two terminals that keep our spiritual battery charged. We are reminded that our identity and being are found in Christ, and from this being, our doing should flow.
Key Takeaways:
- Losing Jesus in Religious Activity: It is possible to lose Jesus not in places of sin, but amidst religious rituals and activities. This serves as a reminder to ensure that our spiritual practices are genuinely connecting us to Christ, rather than just being routine. [08:34]
- The Danger of Assumption: Assuming that Jesus is with us because we are engaged in religious activities can lead to spiritual drift. We must regularly examine our relationship with Jesus to ensure we are truly walking with Him. [11:10]
- Returning to Where We Left Him: Just as Mary and Joseph found Jesus where they left Him, we too can return to the place where we last felt His presence. This involves returning to the basics of our faith and ensuring our spiritual practices are rooted in a genuine relationship with Christ. [25:54]
- The Balance of Word and Spirit: Our spiritual vitality depends on maintaining a balance between the Word of God and the Spirit. Both are essential for a vibrant faith, and neglecting one can lead to spiritual imbalance. [21:23]
- Identity in Christ: Our identity is found in being, not doing. We are human beings, not human doings, and our actions should flow from our identity in Christ. This calls us to focus on our relationship with Jesus as the foundation of our lives. [34:23]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:34] - Introduction to the Passage
[03:35] - Losing Jesus in Religious Activity
[05:29] - The Importance of Connection
[06:50] - The Danger of Assumption
[08:34] - Finding Jesus Where We Left Him
[10:11] - Examining Our Spiritual Walk
[12:45] - The Balance of Word and Spirit
[14:41] - Identity in Christ
[16:46] - Returning to the Basics
[18:15] - The Call to Introspection
[19:18] - The Hope of Restoration
[21:23] - Maintaining Spiritual Vitality
[23:33] - Living Beyond Assumptions
[25:54] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 2:40-50
- 1 Corinthians 10:12
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#### Observation Questions
1. In the story from Luke 2:40-50, where did Mary and Joseph find Jesus after they realized He was missing? What was He doing there? [03:35]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Mary and Joseph losing Jesus during a religious festival? [08:34]
3. How does the sermon describe the potential danger of assuming Jesus is with us because we are engaged in religious activities? [11:10]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between religious activity and personal connection with Jesus? How can this lead to a spiritual drift? [09:12]
2. How does the metaphor of Mary and Joseph finding Jesus where they left Him relate to our spiritual journey and returning to the basics of faith? [25:54]
3. The sermon mentions the balance between the Word and the Spirit. How does this balance contribute to maintaining spiritual vitality? [21:23]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there any that have become routine rather than a genuine connection with Jesus? How can you change this? [08:34]
2. Have you ever assumed Jesus was with you in your activities without checking your personal connection with Him? How can you ensure you are truly walking with Him? [11:10]
3. Think about a time when you felt distant from Jesus. What steps can you take to return to the place where you last felt His presence? [25:54]
4. How can you maintain a balance between engaging with the Word of God and being led by the Spirit in your daily life? [21:23]
5. Consider your identity in Christ. How can you focus more on being rather than doing in your spiritual journey? [34:23]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you might be going through the motions without Jesus. What practical steps can you take to invite Him back into that area? [19:18]
7. Reflect on the last time you had a life-changing experience with Jesus. What can you do to seek more of these experiences in your spiritual walk? [20:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Losing Jesus in the Midst of Rituals
In the story of Mary and Joseph losing Jesus during the Feast of Passover, we are reminded of the ease with which we can lose sight of Jesus amidst our religious activities. Mary and Joseph, despite their close relationship with Jesus, lost Him not in a place of sin, but in the midst of religious observance. This serves as a powerful reminder that our spiritual practices can become routine, causing us to lose our personal connection with Christ. It is crucial to ensure that our religious activities are not just habitual but are genuinely connecting us to Jesus. The danger lies in assuming that because we are engaged in religious activities, Jesus is automatically with us. This assumption can lead to a spiritual drift, where we find ourselves going through the motions without the presence of Jesus in our lives. [08:34]
Luke 10:38-42 (ESV): "Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, 'Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.' But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'"
Reflection: Are there specific religious activities or routines in your life where you find yourself going through the motions? How can you intentionally invite Jesus into these moments today?
Day 2: The Danger of Assumption
The narrative of Mary and Joseph losing Jesus challenges us to examine our own lives and assumptions. It is easy to assume that because we are engaged in religious activities, Jesus is automatically with us. This assumption can lead to a spiritual drift, where we find ourselves going through the motions without the presence of Jesus in our lives. We must regularly examine our relationship with Jesus to ensure we are truly walking with Him. This involves a conscious effort to maintain a personal connection with Christ, rather than relying on the assumption that our religious activities are enough. [11:10]
2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"
Reflection: What assumptions have you made about your relationship with Jesus based on your religious activities? How can you actively test and strengthen your connection with Him today?
Day 3: Returning to Where We Left Him
The story of Mary and Joseph finding Jesus in the temple where they left Him is a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey. If we find ourselves distant from Jesus, we can return to the place where we last felt His presence. This involves returning to the basics of our faith and ensuring our spiritual practices are rooted in a genuine relationship with Christ. It is a call to return to the Word and the Spirit, which are the two terminals that keep our spiritual battery charged. By doing so, we can restore our connection with Jesus and find our identity and being in Him. [25:54]
Revelation 2:4-5 (ESV): "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent."
Reflection: Think back to a time when you felt closest to Jesus. What practices or habits were you engaged in then, and how can you reintroduce them into your life today?
Day 4: The Balance of Word and Spirit
Our spiritual vitality depends on maintaining a balance between the Word of God and the Spirit. Both are essential for a vibrant faith, and neglecting one can lead to spiritual imbalance. The story of Mary and Joseph losing Jesus serves as a reminder to ensure that our spiritual practices are not just habitual but are genuinely connecting us to Christ. By maintaining a balance between the Word and the Spirit, we can ensure that our faith remains vibrant and alive. This balance is crucial for maintaining a strong connection with Jesus and avoiding spiritual drift. [21:23]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate both the Word and the Spirit into your daily routine to maintain a balanced and vibrant faith?
Day 5: Identity in Christ
Our identity is found in being, not doing. We are human beings, not human doings, and our actions should flow from our identity in Christ. This calls us to focus on our relationship with Jesus as the foundation of our lives. The story of Mary and Joseph losing Jesus serves as a reminder to ensure that our spiritual practices are genuinely connecting us to Christ, rather than just being routine. By focusing on our identity in Christ, we can ensure that our actions flow from a place of genuine connection with Him. [34:23]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from doing to being in your relationship with Jesus? What steps can you take today to root your identity more deeply in Christ?
Quotes
And yet, his very own father and mother lost him in the midst of all this religious celebration, all of this religious activity, all of this religious ritual. They lost Jesus. Jesus. Do you know it's possible to be mixed up? In religious activity all your life? Not realising you've lost Jesus. [00:08:38] (30 seconds)
But I have to examine myself. Have I lost Jesus in the midst of doing all that? Even if I'm doing things that appear to be right and things that appear to be good, yet it's still possible to lose Jesus. Some of God's people through scripture lost fellowship with God for a while. [00:09:22] (25 seconds)
You wouldn't expect Mary and Joseph to lose him, would you? You wouldn't expect his mum and dad to lose him, would you? They're the least people you would expect to lose him. Maybe a sibling, yeah, because they're not paying attention. Maybe somebody else, yeah, but not a father and mother. [00:08:16] (23 seconds)
You can come to church every Sunday you can come to prayer meeting every Tuesday you can come to life group every Wednesday or every Thursday you can come to toddlers every Friday you can come to everything that is put on in the church you can come and lift your hands in worship, speak in tongues in the meeting whatever, and still lose Jesus. [00:11:10] (21 seconds)
And if you've lost Jesus and you've been going through the motions there's no condemnation here. God only puts his finger on things to bring restoration to bring reconciliation to bring us up to a higher level. It's never to embarrass or condemn anybody. [00:27:54] (18 seconds)
When was the last time you experienced the move of God in your life? When was the last time God changed you, spoke to you and transformed your way of thinking? When was the last time God spoke to you, transformed your way of living? When was the last time? [00:19:39] (17 seconds)
It's not good enough anymore to dip into the Word of God. Study it. Get it. Let it change your life. Another thing about batteries if you disconnect them store it under the right conditions if you store them under the right conditions that battery charge can last for six months. [00:23:12] (28 seconds)
Mary and Joseph came back to the temple. That's where they found Jesus. You just want to say yeah in the midst of all my busyness. In the midst of all my activity. Even my religious activity. I confess I've lost Jesus somewhere along the way. [00:31:55] (47 seconds)
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