Exhortation: BEING IN HIS FATHER’S BUSINESS
Exhortation:
BEING IN HIS FATHER’S BUSINESS
By James R. Nair, Rajasthan
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)
Jesus’ earthly parents did their best that they could to ‘perform all things according to the law of the Lord’ (v. 39). Yet, how tragic it is, humanly speaking, to learn that they ‘lost’ Him for about four days (cf. Luke 2: 41 – 49).
Observing Passover was so dear to them, and probably an ecstatic moment each year; but this year, a few anxious moments awaited them coupled with a bitter truth – ‘I must be about my Father’s business.’
A few reflections in this major let down here; let us note to observe at the beginning of this New Year.
Assumption of His Presence
Seven days have been finished (v.43), now on their way back, as anyone else would be content, Joseph’s and Mary’s Passover is accomplished for this year. Yet, amidst the celebration, there lies a danger, a blind assumption, they supposed Him to have been in the company (v.44), but He was not! It is so heartbreaking to see that they went about a day’s journey, roughly 20 miles, with this assumption.
How often we too had assumed that He was with us, while we marched ahead in our so-called spiritual accomplishments, performing everything according to the existing customs and traditions, yet failed to understand that He lingers behind to be at His Father’s House?
If He is not to be found, let this be a reminder that we are at fault, quite occupied in our commitments, thoughtful of our own matters. Our spiritual tasks and commitments should not be merely customary but focussed on the Holy One and on doing His will.
His Presence is a Conditional Obligation.
“Why have You done this to us?” (v. 48) - this could be the complaint of many of us too. A few might disagree here with Jesus’ reply and exclaim, “Oh! That’s a little rude of the Boy!” But Mary, rightfully as a mother, demands a reply to His apparently insubordinate action, to which the Saviour replies with authority that He is more obliged to do His Father’s will because that delighted Him (Ps. 40:8).
This passage may not be taken as an example of the Lord’s defiance to His earthly parents, but rather His desire to be about His Father’s business in His Father’s house. He was definitely subject to them in Nazareth and increased in the favour of God and men (v. 51, 52).
But don’t we, just like Mary who as a mother claims His subjection or presence, sometimes claim our Lord’s obligation to be with us through His promises? He silently reminds us, that for Him, nothing holds above His Father’s business. The Lord testified once, “The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him” (Jn 8:29).
God’s presence is assured to them who do His will, His Son being a perfect example for us. His obligations to be with us are assured with His eternal promises, but we need to be doing His will.
Find Him in the Right Company
They supposed Him to have been in the company, presumably a group that was merely interested in ‘observing’ the Passover as a tradition and returning back. However, He was found in that congregation who were listening and asking Him questions (v. 46).
His presence is with those who desire to talk to Him. If our company is with those who are just mindful of earthly things, we might ‘lose’ Him, for we may never find acceptance in Him. We might as well do many things in His name, but if we fail to do His Father’s will, He would simply reject us, “I never knew you” (Matt. 7:21-22).
It is worth mentioning here that our Lord counted His disciples, who did the will of His Father, as His own, more than His own mother and brothers, who remained standing outside when they sought to speak with Him. (Matt. 12:46-50).
While they travelled only a day’s journey without knowing His absence, it almost took three days for them to find Him. A caution for us here is that it is very easy for us to lose Him, but quite difficult to find Him, unless we search for Him at the right place. One of the most important acts of doing His will is that we see the Son and believe in Him to have everlasting life (Jn. 6:40). Let us strive to be in the company of those who listen to Him and talk to Him.
Desire to dwell in the Father’s House
His desire to visit the Father’s house was not out of tradition, but to dwell in the house of the Lord. That was all what even David desired in his life and which he sought after, to behold the beauty of the Lord (Ps. 27:4).
The sons of Korah add that His tabernacle is lovely and a day in His courts is better than a thousand (Ps. 84:1, 10). How often do we rush back to our schedules and commitments, and in the bargain lose Him? When was the last time we patiently waited for Him, that we may listen to Him or talk to Him?
How could we lose Him, if we continued our gaze upon Him, that Fairest of ten thousand? For He is that beauty that we should long to behold and that we will behold eternally! He desired to be in His Father’s house and in His Father’s business.
May that be our desire too, in this fresh year, as His dear children, to behold that Saviour steadfastly and to do His Father’s will, and not lose Him in our earthly matters and customary traditions.
(Taken from the Grace & Peace e-Periodical Issue no. 195 January 2023)