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OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS

Date: 
Wednesday, November 24, 2021
Bible Meditation: 
Luke 2: 41-52

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about MY FATHER’S BUSINESS?” – Luke 2: 49

Buttressed the truth that God works, Jesus spoke about THE FATHER’S BUSINESS: And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about MY FATHER’S BUSINESS?” But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them (Lk.2: 49-50). These first recorded public words of Jesus reveal His Identity as Son of God, while encouraging people to believe in Christ and also become committed to the Father’s Business.

The context of the passage shows how Joseph and Mary took Jesus, at age 12, to Jerusalem to observe the Passover festival, a visit that turned out to be very memorable. Every Jewish male was expected to attend Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles; and by age 12 or 13, it was considered apt for a boy to begin to bear greater responsibility. Jerusalem, being the headquarters of the Jewish religion, many famous Jewish teachers would have been present for the feasts, and some of them would have stayed over to teach in the Temple. This was a great opportunity for Jesus to sit as a student among them, one which He may not have had in Nazareth. Thus, when His parents left Jerusalem, He stayed and visited the Temple.

Jesus’ parents were not aware that He stayed behind. Their search for and finding Him resulted in a moment of tension. Anxiety was followed by amazement, momentary rebuke, and joy in finding the child, but only on the third day of their search! Mary exclaimed: “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously” (v.48b). Though the mother spoke, she specifically included Joseph, the father. When they found Him, Jesus was totally preoccupied with His interest in spiritual matters. He expressed surprised by the anxiety of His parents, asking: “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (v. 49).

Jesus was a model child. He was perfect for each stage of His growth and development. To some degree, tension arose between His role as the son of Joseph and Mary and His role as the Son of God. The parents knew much about Him, but didn’t seem to have clear understanding of his divine-cum-human nature. After expressing surprise, Jesus resolved the tension by returning with His parents and being obedient (v.51). The will of God, the Father, was for Him was to grow, develop, and mature under the guidance of His parents. Accordingly, He now clearly talked about God as His Father. Jesus had recognized Joseph as His earthly father and would continue to do so. But now, His emphasis was on Father-God.

Jesus claimed that He must be about His “Father’s business”! He must be preoccupied with doing the Father’s Will and accomplishing His purpose. When His parents found Him, He was “sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions” (v.46). He was there as a thoughtful learner, not a teacher. The rabbis often taught interactively: they asked questions, while students would answer and ask their own questions. At this time, the business of the Father for Jesus was to be a learner. Later in His ministry, Jesus Himself declared the fuller nature of His “Father’s business” (Isa.61: 1-2; Lk.4: 18-19). The “Father’s business” is conducted in the Father’s House, which also is “a House of Prayer” (Mt.21:13).

Throughout His ministry, Jesus proclaimed the gospel of the Kingdom, healed the sick, cast out devils, proclaimed liberty to the captives, and freedom for the oppressed. Other aspects of His proclamation will be fulfilled in a greater way when He returns to rule over the earth. The ultimate consummation of His Father’s business is still ahead. As partners with Him, Jesus has given us the commission to “go” and specific commands to ensure that all people everywhere hear His gospel. Like Jesus, we also must be obedient to the commands of Christ – we must be about and be committed to our Father’s business!

Adetokunbo O. Ilesanmi (Meditations)

Prayer: 
Lord, quicken our insight and passion to be committed to OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS in the Father’s House, in Jesus name.
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