COSTLY ASSUMPTIONS – PART 1

Supposing He Was With Them

42. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

—Luke 2:42-46

Blessed be the name of the Lord—for it is given unto us to know the mysteries of the kingdom (Matthew 13:11Matthew 13:11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.) hence we are not permitted to live by assumptions, especially of things pertaining to the Kingdom of Heaven. While not all assumptions are bad or costly, in this rotulus, we will be addressing some costly assumptions held by Christians. Remember, God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:51 John 1:5This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.). In King James’ version of the Holy Scriptures (KJV), the word “assumption” does not appear, however a substitute for the word is “supposing” and it appears seven times.

God doesn’t act based on assumptions and He doesn’t want His children to do things based on assumptions. The Holy Scriptures clearly reveal this fact by the way it is set up. The 1st book of the Bible, “Genesis” is written by Moses—who was not present when the events pertaining to the beginning took place; and the last book of the Bible, “Revelations” is written by John The Beloved—who also will not be physically present when the things pertaining to the end, written will be fulfilled. If we believe in the inerrancy of scriptures (the belief that the scriptures are without error or fault in all its teaching), then we cannot afford to take these things lightly by assuming, when there is a clear revelation in the Word of God.

Let us consider two places where the word “supposing” appears, before we deal with the “silent chapters” contained in our text (Luke 2: 42-46Luke 2: 42-4642. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.)

14. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

—John 20:14-16

In the above scriptures, our Lord Jesus Christ had just resurrected, and we see Mary Magdalene who was unable to recognize Him, she assumed Him to be the gardener (and in my little typing, I observed Adam was also a gardener). However, when He spoke, she recognized Him, even as the scriptures says my sheep know my voice (John 10). If you followed till this point, you should know that the emphasis of this rotulus won’t be laid on the “Man” but rather on “Christ the Word”.

27. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
28. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
30. And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

—Acts 16:27-34

Here, God by His special providence had brought salvation to the house of the jailer, but we see the jailer making a costly assumption. He would have taken his own life if Brother Paul hadn’t prevented him. The jailer and his household all got their salvation.

In our text—Luke 2: 42-46Luke 2: 42-4642. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions., Mary and Joseph annually go up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast (vs 42Luke 2: 4242. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.), this time they left Jesus behind, assuming that he had been with the relatives. I’ll like to quickly say here that assumptions thrive with traditions; mind you, I’m not saying all traditions are bad—Brother Paul admonished us to hold on to certain traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:152 Thessalonians 2:1515. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.), but any traditions that violate the word of God, or doesn’t reflect Christ, should be done away with, as God want all men to come to the knowledge of the Truth (Acts 17:30Acts 17:3030. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:, 1 Timothy 2:41 Timothy 2:44. Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.). We even see Brother Paul forsaking traditions for the knowledge of Christ (Galatians 1:14Galatians 1:1414. And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers., Philippians 3:8Philippians 3:8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,).

They fulfilled the days (vs 43Luke 2: 4343. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.) and returned without Jesus. How often have we gone to programs like “Shiloh”, “Holyghost Convention”, “Grace for exploits”, and even engage in a 21 day and a 70 day fasts, and just like Mary and Joseph, fulfil the days? How often have we gone to church and fulfil the hours? But the question today is how many of us return with Jesus? For when our Lord fasted, He returned in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14Luke 4:14'14. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.), mind you, The Lord is that Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:172 Corinthians 3:1717. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.). The problem is that many return from the activity filled programs without “Christ the Word” implanted in their soul, without even being aware of it—probably because of the comedy, drama, extravagant high praises and worship or some sensations associated with the programs and church events. You can speak in tongues, have some sensations and assume that Christ is with you. Was this not the case of Mary and Joseph? They supposing him to have been in the company.

They went a day’s journey (vs 44Luke 2: 4444. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.). Many of us could afford to go a “day” without Christ in this world of toils and care. Just as Christ was seen outside the church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:14,20Revelation 3:14,2014. And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.), these endtime churches are going a “day’s” journey, supposing Christ is with them, not knowing that He is outside knocking.

After three days, they found Jesus (vs 46Luke 2: 4646. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.) and for types and shadows, Jesus resurrected on the third day. This implies that as believers or Christians, if we are not certain of Christ, then we must go back to the cross in order to understand His death and resurrection, for without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22Hebrews 9:2222. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.). I pray you don’t have to tarry long before you find the true Jesus of the Bible, not what today preachers are parading—“a crown without a cross”.

A final point from our text is that Mary and Joseph had to return to Jerusalem to find Jesus (vs 45Luke 2: 4545. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.). The outpour of the Holyghost first occurred in Jerusalem (Acts 2, Luke 24:47Luke 24:4747. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.). The witnessing of the disciples must begin from Jerusalem (Acts 1:8Acts 1:88. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.). This implies that after the churches must have understood the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, she must go back to Acts 2:38Acts 2:3838. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Pentecost Christianity, a restoration of the children back to the faith of their fathers (Malachi 4:6Malachi 4:66. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.).

In subsequent rotuli, we shall be looking at some costly assumptions the churches have made and we will look only by the Bible not by any creeds or dogmas. Let me conclude by saying Moses was not a man of assumptions. He had been vindicated, yet he still demanded the presence of The Lord (Exodus 33:15Exodus 33:1515. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.). He refused to assume that God was with him. David also in 2 Samuel 5:18-252 Samuel 5:18-2518. The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
19. And David enquired of the Lord , saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the Lord said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.
20. And David came to Baal–perazim, and David smote them there, and said, The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baal–perazim.
21. And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.
22. And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
23. And when David enquired of the Lord , he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
24. And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the Lord go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.
25. And David did so, as the Lord had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gezer. showed he was not a man of assumptions. The Lord told David to go up and fight the Philistines. In verse 222 Samuel 5:2222. And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. , the philistines came again. I was thinking David would just go, assuming that like the former time he had victory, howbeit, he enquired of God and the directive for victory was different this time around. He truly wasn’t a man of assumptions.