The Family Business
Today’s Passage – Luke 2 – 3
“And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” – (Luke 2:49)
My father has been in the candy business for over 60 years. His company packages and distributes candy and nut products all over New Jersey and out into Philadelphia and now he even delivers into New York. Growing up, our lives revolved around the family business. If it was a busy time of the year, we would all pitch in to help. It didn’t matter if it was early in the morning or late at night; it didn’t matter if it was the weekend. Our family’s life revolved around that business.
In context of our text this morning, Jesus is a young man, twelve years of age. He and His family had traveled from Nazareth to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. When it was time to go home, Joseph and Mary, along with their children and extended family all made their way back to Jerusalem; but Jesus was left behind in Jerusalem. Now before you get mad at Mary, I want you to remember that Jesus was not the type of boy that she would have to worry about: He never did anything bad. I have heard parents brag on their children before, but let me tell you, when Mary said that her boy, Jesus, was the perfect little lad, she wasn’t lying. You also have to remember that their were probably dozens of their family members and friends travelling together “in the company”. Mary just thought that Jesus was with some of the other family members. But He wasn’t. He deliberately stayed behind in Jerusalem.
When the family realized that He was not with them, they went back looking for Him. They found Him in the Temple, “sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions”. I am sure that they were a little upset about the fact that Jesus did this. They had a hard time finding Him. When they questioned Him about it, He said, “didn’t you know that I have to be about my Father’s business” [my paraphrase] Now Jesus earthly step-father, Joseph, was a carpenter; and I am sure that all of the little Joseph’s were training to be carpenters too. Jesus, no doubt, worked in the carpenter shop alongside of Joseph. Just think, the hands that created the universe were in a small shop in Nazareth making furniture. Anyway, Jesus was not referring to carpentry when he spoke of His Father’s business. He was not referring to Joseph at all. He was talking about His read Dad, God the Father; and His Father’s business was at the Temple.
I grew up in my father’s candy business; but now I am giving my life to the Heavenly Father’s business. What is the Father’s business? It is reaching people with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said that He came to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). The Father’s business is also preaching and teaching the glorious truths of the Word of God. It is ministering to the people of God. These are all of the things that make up the Father’s business. I too must be about my Father’s business. How about you?
Posted in Thoughts from Luke by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
Are You Certain?
Today’s Passages – Luke 1; Proverbs 25
(Second Milers also read – Psalm 119; Memorize Psalm 126:5 & 6)
Read a good article by Dr. Paul Chappell – “Trusted With The Gospel”
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Joshua 1:8
“That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” (Luke 1:4)
I have always been fascinated by these first few verses in Luke’s gospel. He is writing to an individual by the name of Theophilus who we know very little about; and he is explaining to him, under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, in detail all that he knows about the life of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is interesting when you think about it that Luke appears to be writing this entire book to one man. Now we know that God had other plans for the book; but on a human level, it seems to be the most comprehensive gospel tract ever written. All for one man, Theophilus. The first thought that hits me is the concern that Luke must of had for this one man in order to go through this arduous task just so that Theophilus could be certain about what he already knew about the Lord. Luke is possibly the most diligent soul winner there ever was.
The second thought I have from this Scripture comes from the word “certainty”. Luke penned the Word of God so that the hearer could be certain about the Lord Jesus Christ. That reminds me of another verse that tells us that …faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17) Practical application of this principle tells us that the more time we spend in the Word of God, the more we will be certain about the things of God; and the more certain we are in our faith, the greater our life and ministries will be also. We will be able to boldly plow forward through this dark and cold world with the gospel simply because we are sure of what we believe about God.
If you look at the faithless condition of America today, and consider how that Satan has been effective at both distorting the Word of God in most of our churches, and removing the Word of God from schools and most other public venues of our society; it is no wonder that the country is rapidly moving away from God. The answer is the Word. We in the church need to get strengthened ourselves through the certainty that comes through time in the Book; and then flood our churches, communities, families, neighborhoods, and workplaces with the Word of God. The more they hear the Word, the more they can be certain about the Lord.
Certainty is very important. Being certain about what you believe will get you through the trials of life with your faith intact. Be certain about your calling will keep you at your post until the Lord makes it clear that He wants you to do something else. Certainty comes from the Word of God, and it is strengthened as we continue to walk by faith. I want to demonstrate this certainty in my life as I minister to the people here in Galloway Township. I want them to be able to see that I really believe what I claim to know about the Lord; and I want them to see a consistency in my life and ministry in the years to come that will be the fruit of the certainty that I have received from the Lord.
How about you? Are you certain about what you claim to believe? Being sure about what you believe will dramatically change the way you live. I believe the reason why most of us struggle so much with our testimony is because we really don’t believe deep down what we say that we believe. Our faith needs to be increased. Ask God to bring you in closer, and give you a greater assurance about His Word and His will. As you meditate upon and study the Word of God, He will increase your certainty about the things of God.
Posted in Thoughts from Luke by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.