My Father's Business

 When Jesus was a young boy, His parents took him to Jerusalem as they did every year for the Feast of the Passover. He was twelve years of age, and Luke tells us that by this time He had “grown and become strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” (2:40). 


I must admit, it is difficult for me to think of Christ as a young boy of twelve years. I can’t even begin to imagine what it was like to raise Him as a physical Son - to know that He was also the Son of God, through whom all that was made was made (Jn 1:3). 


Luke chapter two describes one of the parental difficulties that this unique situation presented. As the rest of His family began the journey home, Jesus stayed behind in the temple to speak and listen to the teachers there. His parents looked for Him anxiously, having assumed that He would be among their company, and finally finding Him in the Temple they were amazed. 


“Son, why have you done this to us?” Mary asked. “Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” 


“Why did you seek Me?” came the reply. “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 


To twelve year old Jesus, full of wisdom and strong in spirit, it seemed an obvious thing that He be occupied with His Father’s work. It was necessary for Him to be busy about it! 


Today, Christ’s earthly ministry is over, but He left His teachings for His work to continue. Now it’s our turn to get busy.  We all need to be about our Father’s business! 

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