Faithful on Fridays Blog

My Father’s Business

Part Two

Last week I discussed Jesus’ discipleship program and how He sat under the religious leaders of the day listening and asking questions; Jesus was our example of having the heart-attitude of a disciple. A disciple is one who learns and follows the teachings of another and the Another in this case is God, the Father. Jesus was about the affairs of His Father; their concerns were the same, showing love to people. Our God holds His prized possession, the ones He made in His very own image, in high esteem. Believers are His children as much as Jesus is His Son and we belong to the same family. 

Before He went to the cross He prayed to His Father about that relationship:

I am in them and You are in Me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent Me and that You love them as much as You love Me. John 17:23 NLT

Eighteen years after His discipleship training under the rabbis was completed Jesus began His public ministry. That’s a long program but He was about His Father’s business (Luke 2:49) or His Father’s assignment. 

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I AM He. I do nothing on My own but say only what the Father taught Me. John 8:28 NLT

What do you suppose was included in Jesus’ discipleship program?

• Studying Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, which show God’s way of life or kingdom living for His chosen people.
• Learning scripture- memorizing and being reminded of His Father’s promises.
• Old Testament prophecies- finding Himself in the prophetic scriptures and knowing He was their fulfillment.
• Becoming familiar with the writings and enjoying them (Psalms).
• Listening to the great rabbis expound on life through homilies, life-lessons, and teachings.
• Surrounding Himself with good teachers of sound doctrine.
• Question and answer format- He was able to ask the right questions as well as give the right answers. He gave and probably received more clarity on kingdom living.

This 18 yr. preparation period prepared Him for God’s business or assignment:

Teaching

Preaching

Healing

Deliverance

Bringing the Kingdom of God to earth.

Giving proof or evidence that He was God.

I want to encourage you again this week to consider your personal discipleship program. Are you following the same pattern for spiritual growth as your Divine Example? If you are then you can expect God to prepare you for ministry as well. As He sent out His followers in the beginning He is sending us out as well; we just have to be sensitive to what His assignment is for the day.

Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions …  Matthew 10:5a NLT

He sends out believers in His Name every day to live out the gospel by loving and helping people. That’s what He would do.