“Why were you looking for me?”

Article for January 4, 2026

Luke 2:40–42 40The child [Jesus] grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. 41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom.

One Hundred percent boy and one hundred percent God.  I would almost bet that Jesus matured faster than any other boy at that time and even in our time.  This is one hundred percent boy, but this boy was far more special than any boy or girl then and now.

One hundred percent boy as He did not tell His parents that He would be staying behind.  Like most boys and even some men we get started in something and we forget the time and the moment seems to take over.  Here Jesus was compelled to show His knowledge and authority of God’s word to those who would listen.

Who wouldn’t be amazed at this twelve-year-old boy who Knew scripture better than they did and was able to answer questions that this favored crowd had asked.  This is a boy, but this also is Jesus whom the people Israel looked for.

Luke 2:49, 52 “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”

      52And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

It is easy to understand Jesus’ mother and father Joseph.  They are parents and not just parents of a boy but of the savior who was promised.  Mary and Joseph, I am sure, did not take this responsibility lightly.  Mary and Joseph knew who Jesus is and though they may not have understood this gifted son, they knew taking care of this boy was important not just for their sake but everyone’s sake.  

Mary and Joseph knew more than anyone else that this boy was growing in knowledge and wisdom far beyond their or our understanding.  Yet at this time, they still saw the true boy more than they saw the true God.

The boy/God grew to be the man/God and then He grew to be the God/man.  Even God took His rightful time to mature into who He is to be for us sinners.  This is He whom we are looking for, this is our savior. The question asked, “Why are you looking for me?”  Mary and Joseph looked for Jesus because they loved this boy/God who was their son.

If Jesus asked you this question, “Why are you looking for me?”  Would you answer that you loved Him or that you are looking for your salvation that was promised.  Mary and Joseph looked for the boy Jesus whom they grew to love and felt out of their love a responsibility to safeguard this the boy/God this savior now come.

Ephesians 1:4b–6 In love 5he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God who would become the ransom for our adoption into the place that was lost to us through our sin.  Here we see the answer to everything and especially to those who think they have sinned too much.  Jesus is the answer as He reconciles us to God.

“In Love” God, who watched mankind struggle with the curse that sin imprisoned them in, comes back to find us.  As Jesus’ mother and father came back to find Him God comes back to find us.  This is the answer to why we look for salvation and why salvation looks for us.  Jesus stayed behind because He knew His purpose from His Father.  We stay behind because we do not realize our true purpose.  Sin is our stumbling block that tries to leave us behind.  But for the love of Jesus Christ, we are searched out and found.

So, the purpose of God’s will, driven by God’s love for us, is why He is looking for us the lost.  In love we are found and through God’s will His purpose is made clear He needs to save His creation whom He has adopted as His Children.  God loves us just as we are, not our sin, but who we are.  And now Jesus Christ covers our sin through the sacrifice of His Body and Blood.

Ephesians 1:7–10 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In the wisdom that continued to grow in this boy/ God who grew to be man/God and grew to be God/man, we find our redemption.  We find the forgiveness of our sins.  Regardless of our sin, it is the wisdom and insight of God to find the way to salvage all whom He loves, and He loves you and me. So now we know, this wisdom of God’s is driven by His love for us. 

Through the love of God, He has found the means to unite all things to Him.  Love is what drives God’s need to be responsible for our salvation.  Love is what came out of Jesus’ mouth as He asks the Father to forgive us as He, Jesus, dies for our sins.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians the greatest of these is love.  And God’s love is the greatest as He saves us to be His for eternity.

Ephesians 1:13–14 13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

How can you not love God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit when He died for our sins out of His love for us.  Not only did Jesus die for us but He has given us a sealed promise through His Holy Spirt and a guarantee of our inheritance.  This is the true God who saves all whom He loves and regardless of sin He loves you and me always.  One God now and forever.  Amen.

Written by Pastor Curtis A. May