Luke 2

41 Now his (Jesus’) parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 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.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?<
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

How could they miss Jesus?

• Consumed with other things.
• Assume that He is with them.
• Looked for him in the wrong places.

I must be about my Father's business

• These were the first recorded words of Jesus.
• He was declaring that He was going to do the Father’s business.
• His mission – the LOST
• Matthew 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
• Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

Jesus teaches about "lost"

• John 6:12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
• Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
• Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
• Luke 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
• Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Lost and Found

• Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
• Romans 5:12 . . .by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned . 15 . . . if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.