Anglican Devotional 31 December 2023 – Costly Assumptions

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 31 December 2023 – Costly Assumptions

TOPIC: Costly Assumptions

READ: Luke 2:41-52 (NKJV)

His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.
And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.
When they had 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 have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among [their] relatives and acquaintances.
So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.
Now so it was [that] after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.
And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.
Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

THE MESSAGE:

It is always better to be sure than to assume! We can learn a lot of lessons from Mary and Joseph in today’s passage. After the festival, they set out on the long journey back home without so much as making sure that Jesus was indeed with them in the journey. They only found out much later, after three whole days, that Jesus was missing from their lives. Their assumption cost them many days of delay, energy and resources as they went back looking for Jesus. Many in the Church today are in the same way living on assumptions. Many of us assume that because we are gifted and talented, we have Jesus.

Are you making such assumption because you can pray in tongues, or because you were born and raised as a Christian, or because you have been serving in Church leadership for many years? Assuming that you have Jesus in your life and vocation based only on any of these credentials, is indeed a costly assumption. Not all who profess the name of Jesus will enter the Kingdom of God, but only those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ and also spend their lives doing His will (see Matthew 7:21-23). As we enter the New Year tomorrow, do not just assume that you have Jesus. Make sure His presence is with you!