"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to this servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw."
Revelations 1:9-10
"I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus I was in the spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet..."
Mary was about to loose it. She couldn't find him anywhere. Joseph had insisted she go back to the inn, and take a short rest. However instead of resting, she had sat in front of the window, hoping for a glimpse of Jesus. She didn't dare blink, lest she miss him just that quickly.
The door to the room creaked open, and her tired husband entered. His head was down, avoiding her look, his shoulders slumped, and his fists clenched in anger. They had been looking for three days, and couldn't find a trace of where Jesus had gone.
She choked back a sob, and in an instant, Joseph had crossed the room and was now cradling her in his strong arms. "It's okay. We will find him. The Lord will help us."
Mary nodded, but she wasn't sure she believed him any more. I've failed. I've lost God's son. Now what will happen?
A rap sounded at the door, three fast, hard beats.
Joseph let go of her, and cautiously opened the door. The innkeeper stood at the door. Her mind's eye was suddenly flooded with another innkeeper she and Joseph had encountered, twelve years ago...
Mary blinked and shook herself out of the memory. She kept the feelings and questions buried in a little box in her heart where, when the time was right, she could go back to them. But not here. Not now.
He met Mary's eyes and smiled softly. "Some men just came from the temple. They were saying a young boy, roughly the age and description of your boy, was there talking with the priests and teachers. I thought you would like to know so you could check it out."
Mary jumped to her feet, and rushed out the door. "Thank you," she called over her shoulder. She heard Joseph do the same, and jog to catch up with her.
With a destination, a goal, a prize in the forefront of their minds, it didn't take long at all for them to reach the temple. Joesph stopped to ask someone about Jesus, but Mary didn't wait. She could hear him. It was faint, but she would know that voice anywhere. She rounded a corner and skidded to a stop. Young, sweet Jesus sat among a group of priests and teachers. He motioned like he was asking a question. A teacher, looking impressed with the young student, answered him. Then Jesus gestured like...well, like he was explaining something. Jesus' eyes were alight with passion, the subject his delight and desire. His father.
"Do you think he's been here the entire time?" Joseph asked form behind her. Mary never heard him join her. "I do," she said without looking back.
Just then Jesus nodded at the group of men, and stood up to go. He started towards them like he knew they'd be there waiting for him.
For whatever reason, that irritated Mary. "Son," Her voice held a healthy dose of motherly scolding. "Why have you treated us like this? You disappeared without saying anything to anyone. You've had us worried sick. We've been looking for you frantically.
His little eyebrows furrowed, and he tilted his head to the left. "Why were you looking for me in all those places? Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"
His Father's house. He had to be with his father. Mary gathered him into her arms, and hugged him tight, burying even more things into her heart's secret box.
Based on Luke 2:41-51
I'm starting a new seven part series based on the seven letter in the beginning of Revelations. Today is the prologue. So I guess that makes it eight parts.
Before John received this incredible vision, a prophecy of things still to come, he was secluded away from everyone and everything. No distractions. Not only that, but he was in the spirit, on the Lord's day. The Bible makes a point of saying it, just like that. When you look close enough, you find that nothing is coincidence in the Bible.
Before Jesus spoke to John, John was spending time with God in the spirit.
While thinking about this, God brought to my mind the story of twelve-year-old Jesus in the temple, and more specifically, His words, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?"
The boy Jesus wasn't being rude. It's like a child saying, "Of course I was in the toy store, Mom." Jesus was saying, "Of all the places you looked for me, why didn't it occur to you first, that I would be in my Father's house?" Of all the places, that's were Jesus wanted to be, with His Father. Mary and Joseph should have figured that out sooner, but they were so distracted with worry that it took three days to find Jesus.
Why doesn't that occur to us? Why do we cry out, "God where are you?" Why do so many people search in empty religions trying to find something real and true? Why do others try to fill the void with the world and all it's pleasures. Why doesn't it occur to all of us where we can find God and contentment?
If you want God, if you are seeking Him, then you need to make time for Him. You need to be in your Father's house. Being there should feel like coming home because you are with your Father. That's what John was doing on Patmos. He was so engrossed in a world with his Father, and nothing else mattered or existed.
If you are desperately seeking the Father, start by looking for Him in the most obvious place-His house. Then take it a step further and get lost in His presence. That will lead to seeking God like you never have before. As James said, faith without works is dead. We can't just say we are seeking God. We need to literally seek God.
And when you do that, you will see revelations like you never have before. Just take it from John.
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