Faithful on Fridays Blog

My Father’s Business

Part One

It seems that everywhere I turn pastors and Bible teachers are talking about discipleship. It’s become a ‘buzz’ word but I wonder how many of us realize it’s implications. Let’s look together at Jesus’ life, begin at the beginning, to see if He was discipled. We know that He was God on earth, our divine example, however, He was also a man. In Luke 2:41-47 we do indeed read an account of Jesus being discipled as a young boy by the rabbis or teachers and priests at the Temple and that’s where we’ll land for the next few weeks: Jesus’ discipleship program. 

It was the Feast of Passover, Jesus’ parents took Him to the Temple in Jerusalem and it’s there we find Him in Luke 2. Rabbis and priests of the day took full advantage of the people coming to the Temple from all over Israel by having times of teaching Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) and giving homilies or preaching. That’s how people learned religious doctrine and were instructed in moral living, life lessons, and personal discipline. Jesus deemed this teaching time quite important, important enough to leave the side of his parents and seek instruction. When Mary and Joseph found Jesus,

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. Luke 2:49-50

Jesus knew when and where He needed to be discipled and sought it out. That’s the attitude we should have: hungry to know God more, seeking Him in His Word, and being ‘teachable’.

Our question, therefore, should be, “Am I about my Father’s business?” Well saints, just what is my Father’s business? To put it another way; what are the concerns of our heavenly Father today as they apply to us? If we continue to use our Savior as the divine example He put Himself under the teachings of the religious leaders of His day to begin His quest. He sat in the midst of them, listening and questioning, and yes, undoubtedly speaking words of wisdom to them as well. 

Again, Luke 2 tells us all were amazed at His understanding and answers to the questions brought forth. That, my friends, is the beginning of being about your Father’s business.

… if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. 1 Peter 3:15b-16

Jesus, our example, humbled Himself and was discipled as He grew in wisdom and favor with both man and God. Where are you receiving instruction in God’s Word? And the better question; are you growing in faith? Can you see a change from last year to this year in your walk with Christ. Evaluate your spiritual growth this week and decide to make the changes you deem necessary to be about your Father’s business.