This coming Sunday, I will preach on Luke 2:41-51. This is the passage where ‘the boy Jesus is in the temple.’

This passage teaches us a lot.

One interesting point is that Jesus’ parents, Joseph and Mary, had lost him.

Luke 2:43 says “as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it”

Wow! I cannot imagine really losing my child.

Then Luke 2:44 says “but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey, but then they began to search for him…”

Wow! I really cannot imagine losing my child for a day or more before I even realized it.

Then Luke 2:46 says “After three days they found him…”

Wow! I totally cannot imagine losing my child for three whole days. I would be freaking out. Or as Mary, his mom, said to him “Your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” I would be in great distress.

All parents be encouraged! Even great godly parents (who had the favor of God upon them so much that they were able to raise the Savior of the World and King of the Universe) mess up, stress out, and lose their kid sometimes.

Good thing He was safe all along and about His Father’s business!

Jesus says it very plainly in John 14:6

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Peter says it plainly in Acts 4:12

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Paul says it plainly in 1 Timothy 2:5

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

And I am sure you knew these three passages, but have you ever read Psalm 62? Lately, Psalm 62 has been such a mighty blessing to me. I have read it everyday now for several days. Everything good, strong, lasting, meaningful, steady about me is because of God. Or better said, is not even me but God in me. Psalm 62 shows me this.

Notice the exclusivity of salvation belonging completely to God.

Verse 1 “For God alone…”

Verse 2 “He only… is my rock and my salvation”

Verse 5 “For God alone…”

Verse 6 “He only…”

Verse 8 “Trust in Him at all times…”

Is there any doubt or question at all who saves? Salvation is of the Lord! Hear the words of  “the great multitude that no one could number, from every nation” in Revelation 7:10 as they cried out:

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!”

Recently, Lil Wayne was released from prison.

In some of his comments following his release, he says this about the Bible

““I also read the Bible for the first time. It was deep! I liked the parts where some character was once this, but he ended up being that. Like he’d be dissing Jesus, and then he ends up being a saint. That was cool.”” (The cover picture is not good, but you can read it here. Rolling Stone magazine)

I pray that He would believe the message of the Bible that Jesus saves sinners.