THE SUPPOSITION OF MARY AND JOSEPH

 THE SUPPOSITION OF MARY AND JOSEPH

“But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.” Luke 2:44-45. Jesus was twelve years of age when his parents go up to Jerusalem “after the custom of the feast.” Luke 2:42. “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.” Deuteronomy 16:16-17. Jesus stayed behind without the knowledge of his parents as they left for home. They traveled for a day before realizing that their son was not with them. They supposed that he had been in the company of relatives. The problem with supposition is that we can be wrong. Various individuals had incorrect ideas as to the identity of Jesus. Jesus asked his disciples on an occasion, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some say, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” Matthew 16:13-14. These suggested identities were all incorrect. Jesus was, as Peter confessed, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16. Supposition can be deceptive. The Pharisees asked the officers who refused to arrest Christ, “Are ye also deceived?” John 7:47. The parents searched among their relatives for Christ, but he was not there. We can search in the wrong places for Christ. We can suppose that Christ is in a certain belief system, and yet, he is not found there at all. We can suppose that Christ is in all churches, and yet, Christ is not in all of those religious bodies. We can suppose that our worship which we offer to God is acceptable to him, and yet, we may be engaging in “vain worship.” Matthew 15:9. Cain found that his offering was not acceptable to God. Perhaps we suppose that God is going to overlook the lifestyle that we choose. Many suppose that God is only a God of mercy without any wrath. Mary and Joseph supposed that Christ was with him when he was not. They searched in the wrong place to find him. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” II Peter 1:10.