Keep the Saviour With You!

[Thompson, Darryl]

Keep the Saviour With You! 

     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. Luke 2:43.  

     Not one act in the life of Christ was unimportant. Every event of
His life was for the benefit of His followers in future time. This
circumstance of the tarry of Christ in Jerusalem teaches an important
lesson. . . . 

     Jesus was acquainted with hearts. He knew that, as the crowd
returned in company from Jerusalem, there would be much talking and
visiting which would not be seasoned with humility and grace, and the
Messiah and His mission would be nearly forgotten. It was His choice to
return from Jerusalem with His parents alone; for in being retired, His
father and mother would have more time for reflection, and for
meditation upon the prophecies which referred to His future sufferings
and death. He did not wish the painful events which they were to
experience in His offering up His life for the sins of the world, to be
new and unexpected to them. He was separated from them in their return
to Jerusalem. After the celebration of the Passover, they sought Him
sorrowing three days. . . .  

     Here is a lesson of instruction to all the followers of Christ. . .
. There is necessity of carefulness of words and actions when Christians
are associated together, lest Jesus be forgotten of them, and they pass
along careless of the fact that Jesus is not among them. When they are
aroused to their condition, they discover that they have journeyed
without the presence of Him who could give peace and joy to their
hearts, and days are occupied in returning, and searching for Him whom
they should have retained with them every moment. Jesus will not be
found in the company of those who are careless of His presence, and who
engage in conversation having no reference to their Redeemer. . . . It
is the privilege of all to retain Jesus with them. If they do this,
their words must be select, seasoned with grace. The thoughts of their
hearts must be disciplined to meditate upon heavenly and divine things.


>From That I May Know Him - Page 29