Tuesday, January 2
I must be about
Scripture: Genesis 3-4, Luke 2
Luke 2:49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
Observation
When 12 year old Jesus turns up missing, Joseph and Mary return to Jerusalem looking for Him. After 3 anxious days, they find Him in the temple, engaged in theological discussion with the teachers. Mary reprimanded Jesus. “Why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been searching for you with great distress.” And Jesus responded with this: “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
Dr. Jim Edwards explains: “…my Father’s house,” is an interpretation rather than translation of an unusual and ambiguous Greek expression… The expression en tois tou patros mou, which occurs only here in the Bible, literally means “about the things [e.g., business, affairs] of my Father.” …Although it includes a reference to God’s abode, it also incorporates the mission of the God whom Jesus knows as “my Father.””
Already, at 12, Jesus has a clear sense of who He is, and what His mission must be. When Mary said, “You’ve worried your father,” Jesus gently responds that in fact He was doing His Father’s work. This would be the driving motivation of Jesus’ life: doing the will of His Father and accomplishing the work the Father gave Him to do. This is what Jesus “must be about”—the “must” indicating divine necessity, God’s call.
Also, notice the patience of Jesus. He went home and submitted to His parents…for the next 18 years! He waited for God’s timing.
Application
Since I believe we are called to be like Jesus and to imitate Him, this is what I must be about: I want to be about my Father’s business—do the Father’s will, accomplish the Father’s mission.
Like Jesus, this starts with a clear sense of who I am in Christ—I am the Father’s beloved son, a child of God, deeply loved, fully forgiven, completely accepted, called, chosen and sent to serve.
Because this is who I am, then this is what I must be about: I do the will of my Father who loves me, calls me and sends me. I am about His business, His mission.
So today, in every situation, I want to ask, “What is God doing? What is God’s will? What is the mission I’m called to, here and now?” And…while I want to be ready, willing and obedient, I also want to be patient. God is not in a hurry; wait for His timing.
Prayer: Father, I’m here to do Your will, to serve Your mission and purpose. Use me today. Help me to get beyond myself and be about Your business.