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First Words of Jesus From the 4 Gospels: Luke Part 3

First Words of Jesus From the 4 Gospels: Luke Part 3

This is part 3 of a 4 part series of the first words of Jesus from the 4 gospels.  Part 1 was about baptism.  Part 2 was about salvation. In this next post we will be shooting over to the book of Luke chapter 2 verse 49.  We need to get the full context so lets look at these verses as a whole.

Luke 2:41-52 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. (42) And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. (43) And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. (44) But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. (45) And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. (46) And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. (47) And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. (48) And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. (49) And he said unto them,How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? (50) And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. (51) And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. (52) And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

I don’t know about you, but this looks like Joseph and Mary were not very good stewards of young Jesus.  They did not know Jesus was missing until they were a day’s journey out.  And they didn’t lay site on Him till three days later. I am pretty sure that they both had no real understanding of who Jesus REALLY was until He ended up on the cross. Jesus knew what His mission was. In the first words of Jesus, He simply stated that He was about His Father’s business.  Apart from the fact that this twelve year old was God manifest in the flesh, Jesus was focused on His Father’s business!  I use this passage all the time when I teach the Jr. High that they do not have to be an adult to be about their Father’s business.  There are some of my Jr. High that have taken this to heart and put it to action.  They have lead small groups and taught their peers the Bible.  Some needed very little coaching.  It is encouraging when you see a young man or young lady jump in and teach in a small group.

What is our own lives like right now?  Are we about our Father’s business like the first words of Jesus say?  Are we putting Christ first and realizing the missing that Christ has for us? If we are not, then what is hindering us?  Is it growth?  Is it commitment? Is it priorities of selfishness?  We need to step back and take a long look at what we are doing.  If we are saved today we are bought with a price! We no longer have control over our bodies, let alone our futures.  They are Jesus’ now. The moment we repented of our sins and called upon Jesus to come into our hearts to save us.  We became His! We are no longer a slave to sin because we have been set free!

I hope and pray this opens the eyes of those who read this and that it causes you you realize you need to be about our Father’s business and get out there and do the work of an evangelist.  Do the work of the ministry and be used of God in a mighty way!

The Bible is such and amazing and powerful Book.  The first words of Jesus are revealing some powerful truths that we as born-again believers of the Lord Jesus Christ need to take heed to.