Supposition

Supposition

The Jews went up annually to Jerusalem to observe the Festival of Passover. Among them was the Lord Jesus with His parents, Joseph and Mary. He remained there as He was twelve years old. This was when the age of responsibility began in Israel. He was perfectly right to remain there of His own accord. His parents, however, were unaware of His decision, so they travelled homeward “supposing Him to have been in the company” (Luke 2:44).

Dr. M. Lloyd-Jones suggests why people today suppose that Jesus is in their company, i.e., that they are Christians. They may suppose that they live in a Christian country. “Wales is the Land of Song and Revival” they claim. Some suppose that their upbringing makes them a Christian: “I always went to Sunday School you know”. Others suppose that regular attendance at a Place of Worship qualifies them to be a Christian.

Faith is what God requires not supposition as is seen in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”. That’s what Mary and Joseph did. Within a day they realised that the Lord Jesus was not present. Some people drift through most of their life before having the same realisation. Mary and Joseph were diligent in their search for Him. Three days later they found Him in the temple courts.

May you respond to the challenge in Isaiah 55:6,7: “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteousness man his thoughts, let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him, and to our God, and He will abundantly pardon.”

Christians, therefore, are those who realise their need of the Lord Jesus and seek after Him. You can do so by attending an evangelical church. They will tell you that you must ask Him to forgive you of your sins for which He was punished on the Cross of Calvary. Otherwise one will perish eternally.