About The Father’s Business
Luke 2:39-52
Introduction
On this first Sunday of a new year, we continue our study of Luke’s Gospel. Luke gives us more insight into the young childhood of Jesus than the other Gospel writers.His key message seems to be the growth of Jesus. Jesus Grew (vs 39-40; 51-52)
Luke 2:39-40, 51-52 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. ... Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
One of the stories he tells is a time when Jesus not only was amazing to his parents, the shepherds, Simeon, and Anna … but by the time he is twelve he is amazing the religious teachers in the Temple!
Tell the story and/or Read it.
Luke 2:41-50 Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” 49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
-The family of Jesus were practicing Jews - pious, committed, faithful (41-42)
-Parent Panic - every parent understands this! Why was it that they did not notice he was with them? (Traveling with a company… it didn’t occur to them that he would stay behind … other reasons?) They didn’t find him for THREE DAYS!
- Jesus: sitting among the teachers, listening, asking questions - amazing the religious teachers with his understanding and answers.
Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s House? (49)
NKJV: And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”
Being Busy in the Father’s House…
-Might mean that we are not going to be able to go with the crowd - to be ok with being different from the world around us.
-Certainly implies that there is ultimate value in understanding God’s word and thinking about what God is currently doing in our lives.
-Orienting our lives to the Father’s will.
MUST! He also says that he “must” be doing this work. That could also be translated “it is necessary for me to be doing the things of my Father.” Several times in Luke’s Gospel, he has Jesus saying that he must do things. This means these things are part of God’s eternal plan.
- Later, Jesus will say that he had to preach the gospel (Luke 4:43)
- That he had to suffer, die, and be raised (Luke 9:22; 17:25; 24:7, 26)
- That he had to do this in Jerusalem (Luke 13:33)
- That he had to stay with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:5)
- That he had to be numbered among the transgressors (Luke 22:37)
- That it was necessary that Scripture about him be fulfilled (Luke 24:44).
There were certain things that Jesus had to do, tasks that his Father gave him. And Jesus did them. He was perfectly obedient to the Father.
As followers of Christ, the example is clear, that we also have things that “are necessary for us to be doing for God”. Because Jesus was so in tune with the will of his father in heaven, he was able to fulfill his purpose- yes it was salvation, but it was also necessary that he fulfill the prophecies of scripture. And so in following this example, we see Jesus submitting completely to the will of God, and likewise, we should strive to do the same.
Are we in tune with God’s will for our lives, or does it seem too strange and too difficult? I think this is pertinent advice, which is restated in Luke 11, and in the other gospels when Jesus tells us how to pray, address and acknowledge the holiness of God, step 1, and then step 2, Your will be done, your kingdom come.
What is the Father’s business today? For 2025? For Forsythe Church of Christ?
1. Spreading the Gospel
One of the primary purposes of the church is to extend the Good News of the Gospel to the world around us.
When the angels appeared to the Shepherds, this was their message!
-Luke 1:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
-When Jesus reached out to Zacchaeus in Luke 19, he said, “Today salvation has come to this House, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:9-10)
Spurgeon: “I would sooner bring one sinner to Jesus Christ than unravel all the mysteries of the divine Word, for salvation is the one thing we are to live for.”
In 2025, whatever ministries this church is involved in, the ultimate goal is for more people to hear the Good News about Jesus. That is what it means to be about the Father’s business.
2. Sharing Truth With the Next Generation
-Luke 18:15-17 People were also bringing young children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
With the emphasis of this passage being the growth and development and maturity that occurs between infancy and adulthood, we can see in the broader scope of things the importance of mentoring, and teaching.
Jesus was 12, and at the temple.
3. Serving Those Who Have Needs
Jesus was always drawn to those who needed his help. Someone counted 26 mentions of the miracles of Jesus in Luke. ??Casting out unclean spirits, healing, cleansing lepers, healing paralytics, the centurion's servant healed from a distance, raising up the son of the widow of Nain, feeding thousands of people …reaching out to the hurting, suffering, hungry, and broken.
Luke 9:10-11 …Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
Isaiah 53:4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering…
In this way we are bringing Christ with us into the Workplace, School, Recreation, Neighborhood, and Marketplace
In 2025 we continue a long history of reaching out to our community through Meals on Wheels, the monthly collections, offering space to recovery groups, and seeking to help those who are struggling through prayer and support.
4. Worship God / Grow in Holiness
God is Our Great Creator and Provider
Luke 4:7-8 If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’"
Always Seeking to Grow in Holiness, for God is Holy (1 Peter 1:15)
5. Follow the Example of Jesus in Our Lives
In Luke 18:28, Peter makes an amazing confession: “We have left all we had to follow you!” When we set the example of Jesus as our pattern and goal for life, we leave behind the values of the world and embrace the values and perspectives of Christ.
It is not a Sunday morning decision, but a 7-days-a-week decision. WWJD is not just a bracelet, it is the question of the disciple of Jesus. It is the highest calling.This requires of us specific actions that will direct our lives:
-Study of the Word - not just for comfort, but for challenge.
-Prayer - dedication to spending time with the Father and seeking His will.
-Service - when it is costly or difficult or time-consuming - we consider how Jesus served humanity and follow in his footsteps.
-Yielding - the Holy Spirit will grow our character if we will but yield to his influence.
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
This is the path to living every day by the example of Jesus. Luke 6:40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher. Philippians 2:5 …have the same mindset as Christ Jesus… In 2025, we engage in practices that help us to follow the example of Jesus.
6. Leading our Families in the Lord
Men, Bible Classes, prayer partners, teachers etc.
Conclusion
1. Today we begin 2025 remembering that we are to be about our Father’s business.
-Spreading the Gospel
-Sharing the truth with the next generation
-Serving those who have needs
-Worshiping God and pursuing holiness
-Following Jesus’ Example
-Leading our families in the Lord
2. When Jesus was about his Father’s business, Luke reminds us: And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. (2:52)
- We should seek to grow in wisdom in 2025
- We should seek to grow in favor with God and man
3. What are your next steps as we head into this new year?
- Starting the new year by giving your life to Christ today?
- Recommitting yourself to living the Jesus Life as we face the new year.
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Through Your Tears: Sorrow From Loss, Hope For Healing
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Lord, Hear My Prayer
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Lord, Hear My Prayer Journal
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Merry Christmas to a Broken Heart
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Questions
1. Why do you think Mary and Joseph were unaware of Jesus' absence for an entire day? How can we relate this story to modern-day family dynamics and communication?
2. What does this passage reveal about Jesus' knowledge and understanding at a young age? How does this story illustrate the balance between Jesus' divinity and humanity?
3. Why was Jesus so intent on staying in the Temple? What does this tell us about His priorities? How can we apply Jesus' dedication to our own lives in seeking wisdom and spiritual growth? How can we emulate Jesus' desire for learning and spiritual growth in our own lives?
4. Engaging with Scripture: How do you approach learning and discussing Scripture with others? What methods have you found helpful or challenging? How can we create a more engaging and meaningful Bible study experience for our group?
5. Reflect on Jesus' response to His parents: "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" What does this statement signify? How can we prioritize our spiritual commitments while balancing other aspects of our lives?
6. Verse 52 mentions that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. What does this growth look like in our own spiritual journeys? How can we support each other in our community to grow in wisdom and favor?
7. What role do these accounts of the childhood of Jesus play in Luke’s telling of the Gospel story?
8. After reflecting on this passage, what steps can you take this week to grow in your spiritual journey?
9. What else did you want to talk about today?
Next Week: Luke 3, The Baptism of Jesus
