Point Of Departure And Place Of Recovery

Issues – October 2021 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Point Of Departure And Place Of Recovery
When they finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey. — Luke  2:43-44 NKJV

As Joseph and Mary journeyed back to Nazareth following the Feast of the Passover, they were unaware that Jesus was not with them in the traveling party. How concerned they must have been at nightfall when they realized that Jesus was nowhere to be found! For three days they searched for Him anxiously until they found Him in the temple of Jerusalem, listening to the teachers and asking them questions.

It is possible to take it for granted that Jesus is in the company, and yet to be without Him. Are there not times that we get out of touch with Him, drift away from Him in our hearts, or lose the enjoyment of His presence and communion without initially realizing it? Sometimes we go ahead of His footsteps like the energetic horse, and sometimes we stubbornly resist His leading like the lazy mule (Ps. 32:9). Where do we find Him again when we realize we have been walking alone, when we have let Him out of sight instead of being guided by His eye?

When Abram came back from Egypt after his lapse of faith, he went as far as Bethel, which means “house of God.” Abram went to the place where his tent had been at the beginning and where he had first made an altar (Gen. 13:1-4). The path of true restoration leads back to the point of departure. As in needlework, where the stitch was dropped, there it must be taken up. The point of departure is the place of recovery. Like Joseph and Mary, we need to return to the place where we last saw Him! When we do fail, how wonderful to remember His promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). Although we may lose sight of Him, He will never lose sight of us!

By Tim Bouter

You have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works. — Revelation 2:4-5 NKJV