Gospel – Luke 1-2
Two extraordinary births! -That is how Luke chose to start his narrative of the good news to the Gentiles.
This is the 3rd Gospel book we are reading. One ‘sin’ that I have committed many times in the past is that familiarity with certain passages of the Bible has caused me to skim through the passage and miss out new insights and teachings.
Let’s take the time and effort to read an account of the gospel that shows the forgiveness and salvation that Jesus freely gives is not just for the select nation of Israel – but for all humanity – regardless of race, gender or social merit.
Bible Passage: Luke 1-2
Last night’s Hymn Service was entitled “Is God Your Glory?”
We were encouraged to consider if we given God the glory He deserves. And in reading today’s passage, we see quite a number of examples of the proper glory being attributed to God in the Highest.
We read about the praises made by Elizabeth – when Mary came to visit (Luke 1:39-45). What follows is a marvellous song of praise and glory being sung by Mary for the great things He has done (Luke 1:49).
After the birth of John the Baptist, it was time for his father, Zecharias to now give glory to God (Luke 1:68-79).
The birth of Jesus was greeted by a multitude of heavenly host praising God (Luke 2:14). And at the temple after His circumcision – we see Simeon and then Anna, giving glory to God for His salvation grace to mankind.
What Is My Father’s Business?
All these praises of God’s glory are commendable and worthy for us to learn from.
But as I was singing some of the hymns last night and pondering about the message, this verse came to mind…
Luke 2:49
And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
And I kept thinking that the greatest glory to God given amongst all those mentioned in Luke 1-2 was actually done by Jesus Himself.
Why? Because from the tender age of twelve, He already had this mission in mind – whatever He does will be about His Father’s business. And the rest of His life was spent doing just that – His Father’s business.
Is there anything else that shows how much your glorify God than doing everything exactly the way He wants us to do?
What is my Father’s business? Can we follow the example of Jesus and start considering what is it that our Heavenly Father wants us to do …. and then go and do it?
Most Children Imitate Their Parents
I once saw a young boy with his father at the beach. It was quite funny because everything the father did, the little boy would follow. The father sat down, he sat down. When the father picked up a pebble, he picked up a pebble. Then the father threw the pebble into the sea, so did the son. The father then did a starfish jump. So did the son. It was really like father like son.
Jesus was no different.
John 4:34 – “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
John 8:29 – “…for I always do those things that please Him.”
Matthew 26:39 – “… not as I will, but as You will.”
So it is no great surprise to find Jesus amongst the rabbis and teachers even at the age of 12 – learning as much as He could about the Scriptures.
But I still have not answered the question I asked many paragraphs ago… “What is My Father’s Business?”
1. My Father’s Business is PEOPLE
For God so loved the World (John 3:16). He does not specify what PEOPLE. God loves them ALL.
We are told to love your enemies. Bless those who curse us. Do good to those that hate you. Pray for those that use and persecute you (Matt 5:44-45).
Read now John 8:42-44
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
So what is clear is this:
If we are about our Father’s business – we will love PEOPLE.
It is also clear that if we are not – we have a different father!
My Father’s Business is PEOPLE and that makes people MY business.
So the question is: Do we love those who hate us? Do we even love those who love us?
Our Father’s Business was, is and always will be love for people.
Let’s ask ourselves truthfully: “Are We About Our Father’s Business?”
2. My Father’s Business is SERVING People
When you read the Gospels, it is very clear that Jesus is always about serving the people.
First, He had the Mind Of A Servant!
Philippians 2:5-9
Paul reminded us to “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”. What was Jesus always thinking of? He was always helping the hopeless, touching the untouchable and loving the unlovable. In fact, in Luke 7:34 Jesus was called the “Friend of Sinners”.
Next, it was also clear that Jesus was The Good Samaritan
In Luke 10:29-37, we are asked this question: Who is my Neighbour?
And the answer from the parable was very clear: Anyone in need.
It is also interesting to note that in Matthew 25:31-46, we are told that when we serve PEOPLE, we are actually serving God!
This is the picture of the Heavenly Father!
Our service to God is real only when we love PEOPLE and serve PEOPLE. This includes feeding the hungry, clothing the nakes and caring for the sick.
Are We About Our Father’s Business?
3. My Father’s Business is SAVING People.
When you really think about it, His Business Is not really about Heaven And Hell.
In 2 Peter 3:9, we read that God is not willing that anyone should perish, but that all should repent!
God wants His salvation to reach to everyone so that they will go to Heaven when they die. And the remarkable thing is that He is wants this so badly that He is willing to give the life of His ONLY Son so that we can be saved!
My Father’s Business Is Renewing Our Relationships With God.
Jesus promises in Matthew 5:8 that the pure in heart shall SEE GOD!
In 1 Thessalonians 4:17, we are told that when Christ comes again, we shall always be WITH THE LORD!
In fact, Our Relationship With God Determines Our Destination.
We will go to heaven because of our relationship to God.
We will go to hell because of our relationship to Satan.
My Father’s Business Is Restoring Relationships
For our fellow brethren, Paul in Galatians 6:1 says “If a brother be overtaken by sin, RESTORE HIM!”
Jesus commands us in Mark 16:15-16 that “if someone is lost . . . SAVE HIM!”
So the Big Question is this: Are We About Our Father’s Business?
This is a question for us to think about seriously as we continue our lives as Christians.
Do we care for people like Jesus did?
Do we serve people like Jesus did?
Do we help people to know God like Jesus did?
Do we care about the business of God like Jesus did?
3 Comments
PS
Luke is important bec it gives an orderly account of the things from the the very first.
However bec it is an account of things, sometimes certain details are omitted. It was recorded in Matthew that Joseph brought Mary and Jesus to Eygpt to escape Herod (Matt2:14), then back to Nazareth. Luke wrote that “they returned to Nazareth” (Luke2:39)
The point is these details are not important. It is more important to remember is that the bible is given by the inspiration of God (2Tim3:16) Read it with a heart of reverence.
To go about our Father’s business, we are to read His words and know His words. Lord Jesus is fervent about His words from 12. Are we? Better be late starter than not starting at all.
biblereadingcompanion
I just received an encouragement email from the church entitled “Sword of the Holy Spirit” and I thought that it is appropriate to share it because it reminds me how important is it to know the Word of God.
Don’t ask me how to get on this email list because I have absolutely no idea now 🙂 . Anyway, here is the email…
Sword of the Holy Spirit
Shields protect, while swords attack an enemy. If a warrior has a sword but no shield, he can only attack; if a soldier holds a shield without a sword, that soldier is vulnerable to attack. How can any Christian soldier defeat spiritual evil forces this way? Only with both shield and sword can a Christian both attack and defend at the same time—fighting full force and battling victoriously.
The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. The Bible says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). We must overcome Satan through the blood of the Lamb and the truth to which our Lord Jesus testified. Satan fears the truth, not human wisdom.
Believers who have believed for a long time—attending each church service and listening often to the truth—are often regarded as “model believers.” But often, members who have believed for a long time understand the truth but only keep it in their hearts—that is, they seldom or never apply the truth to their daily lives. Should believers remain only lifetime members of a “listener’s club?” Can we, like infants who are never weaned, just continue in our self-satisfaction? We need to ask how we can grow and mature. We need to discover once again how we can fight Satan victoriously.
Studying God’s word demands that we come to a conviction of the Word and follow through by hearing and asking questions—just like the young Jesus in the temple. During worship services in the church, one can only listen passively. Therefore, if a church never holds bible studies or Q&A sessions, believers could easily remain unweaned infants till the next half-century!
Let us ask God to open the eyes of our hearts to realize our own immaturities as believers of Jesus. We must recognize and have a vision for the direction of the future ministry of our church. May the Holy Spirit inspire us to zealously examine the Bible and understand the mysteries of God’s truth. We have to go beyond just the basics and grow to maturity. As Christians, we ought to hold on firmly to the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, for only then can we subdue the devil and allow the gospel to flourish.
HL
“Don’t ask me how to get on this email list because I have absolutely no idea now” – hahaa, that’s what i think too!
anyway, i really wish to say I TOTALLY AGREE with your explanations of MY FATHER’S BUSINESS!
thank God, that was really well said. and i really hope that all of us can understand that Love is about Serving, not waiting to be served, trying to show care for others, and not waiting for someone to care for us.