My father’s business

My father’s business

“Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)

Only Luke tells us about Jesus when, as a twelve-year-old boy, Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple at Jerusalem. The story tells us how much they cared for their young son as they desperately searched for Him. It conveys the relief they experienced when they found Jesus. Of course, He was not lost! He was, as He explained, doing His Father’s business in His Father’s house.

Luke also records in this chapter the wonder of the incarnation when the angel announced the birth, in the city of David, of the Saviour, Christ the Lord (verse 11). He goes on to tell us Simeon’s words, “My eyes have seen Your salvation” (verse 30) and of the witness of Anna. Afterwards, Mary and Joseph settled in Nazareth, and their lives became ordinary. No more angels, or extraordinary dreams, or surprising visits by shepherds and wise men. They lived the everyday lives of a working-class family in a quiet home in a poor town. We are told in verse 19 that, after the birth of Jesus, Mary kept the memory of all these things in her heart and reflected on them. But in verse 50 we read they did not understand what Jesus said. But again His mother treasured up all these things in her heart.

Had Mary and Joseph forgotten Who was living with them? If they had, Mary’s heart was re-ignited. I have to ask myself, “Do I forget Who lives with me day by day?” Does my heart need re-igniting?

The Lord was surprised they did not know He must be doing His Father’s business. But what was that business? Luke describes it for us. Jesus was sitting amongst the teachers, listening to them, asking them questions, understanding and providing remarkable answers.

Only Luke records, in the last chapter of his gospel, the resurrected Saviour on the road to Emmaus. Jesus was still doing His Father’s business. He was still with those He cared for, He was still listening to their questions, He was still asking them questions, and He was still conveying His understanding and remarkable answers. I believe the Lord Jesus continues this ministry in glory. We were not there in the temple or able to walk with Him to Emmaus. But He lives, through His blessed Holy Spirit, in our hearts, and we can know the joy of His presence and power both in the ordinariness and extraordinariness of life’s journey.

After the disciples’ experience of the Lord Jesus’ presence in Luke 24, we read in verses 32-33: “And they said to one another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?’ So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem.” It is the realisation of the presence of the Lord Jesus and His words of love and grace which re-ignite our hearts in love for Him. He also energises us to serve Him and take action to convey His love and grace to others.