His Eye is Always on the Sparrow

So and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. his parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey. (Luke 2:43-44, ESV)

If you’ve raised or are raising children you have learned you can never assume anything about them: what they are up to, how they are thinking or processing things, what they will do next. You know you cannot take your eye off them for one moment, especially at certain ages and stages because they are apt to do anything and in a split second.

The story of Jesus being at the temple when Mary and Joseph were looking for him three days concludes by saying that “Jesus grew in stature and became obedient to his earthly parents after that” (Luke 2:41-52). I also always think of something else: that that was the day or incident Mary and Joseph lost track of God’s Son for a brief time. The day they learned they could not assume anything and needed to always keep track of him; he was God’s treasure entrusted to their care. He was not a disobedient child and if he was not in their immediate sight, he could be found wherever God the Father was, but he was still a child, and it was important that his parents always keep him in their sights.

God keeps his eye on us, not because we are untrustworthy and would do bad things if we are not in his view, but because keeping an eye on their children is what a loving, protective, and attentive parent does. God’s watchful care of you is not because he thinks you’re terrible or would do terrible things if he let you out of his sight, but because he knows this world is a dangerous place, your enemies are strong and tenacious opportunists, and more importantly because he loves you too much to lose track of you, even for one moment. Let’s Pray,

Thank you, Father, for never letting me get out of your sight. Amen

Reflective Questions for self and soul-Tending:

Do you have a little one God has entrusted to you? Are you doing a good job being watchful?

How will you incorporate today’s message into your plan of self and soul-care?