DEVOTION / Have you ever lost someone?
Left behind
A family from Texas was on a summer trip to the Grand Canyon. After hours of driving they decided to stop for gas. When they returned to the van, they exchanged seats and continued on their way. What they didn’t realize was that dad was still in the gas station paying for the gas. When he stepped outside, he noticed his family was gone. Bewildered, the dad made several attempts to call his cell phone in the van. Unfortunately everyone inside the van was enjoying themselves and no one heard the phone ring. Soon he became concerned wondering if his family had been kidnapped. Eventually he was able to reach them by using a nearby motel’s computer to contact someone on Facebook who could help him get in touch with them. Finally after traveling over a hundred miles without dad, the family realized what had happened. After a good laugh, they were all united again.
It can be scary when we lose track of someone. When parents take their children to crowded places, they are careful not to lose them. It’s no fun realizing you have been separated from your loved one.
Mary thought she lost Jesus
Mary Magdalene was concerned when she realized she had been separated from someone she loved. Mary and Jesus grew to be close friends. Mary loved to listen to Jesus teach her about God’s love for her. Can you imagine Mary’s sadness when she saw Jesus on the cross? It was a very difficult time for Mary. She even watched as Jesus was buried and she saw the soldiers roll the huge stone in place.
A few days later, Mary returned to the tomb, but when she looked inside, the tomb was empty. She didn’t know what happened to Jesus, and she began to cry. The angels in the tomb asked Mary why she was crying, and she told them that someone had taken Jesus away and she didn’t know where to find him. Then she turned and saw a man standing beside her. Who are you looking for? the man asked. She answered, Sir, please tell me where they have taken my Lord. Then the man said to her, Mary, and at once she knew that the man was Jesus. Can you imagine Mary’s joy when she realized Jesus was alive and he was right there beside her?
Jesus is always there for us
Sometimes we feel like we’ve lost Jesus. When terrible things happen, people often ask, “Where is God now that I really need him?” Just as Jesus showed Mary he was there all the time, so he promises to be with us, even though we may not realize it. Jesus has promised never to leave us; never to take his eyes off of us. Matthew 28:20 assures us, Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
by Reynold R. Kremer