ABOUT MY FATHER'S BUSINESS

 ABOUT MY FATHER’S BUSINESS

“And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son why hast thou thus dealt with us? And, behold, they father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” Luke 2:48-49. Mary and Joseph have found Jesus in the temple hearing and asking questions of the temple teachers. They are amazed when they find him as so should you and I be also. Christ should amaze us with his teaching and his presence in our lives. They express the sorrow that they have experienced in losing him and searching for him. Jesus expresses to them that he must be about his Father’s business. Jesus has an understanding for the reason that he has come to earth. Some years, eighteen, would pass before Jesus embarked upon the ministry of teaching and healing. There was an occasion when a multitude, like his parents, would seek for him and find him. During the conversation that took place between Jesus and this multitude, Jesus said to them, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:37-38. Jesus would do all that God had designed for him to do. The mission which God had given to the Son was “to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. All that Jesus taught and all that he did was to save the lost. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. The abundant life is salvation through Christ. In Christ, we have life now and in eternity. The business of the Father was to fulfill the law given to Moses and make effective a new law in Christ. “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:9-10. As Jesus Christ was preparing to die on the cross, he prayed to his Father in heaven. “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” John 17:4. Mary witnessed his death on the cross. I wonder if she remembered that saying that he spoke to her in the temple all those years ago.

ASTONISHED AT HIS UNDERSTANDING

 ASTONISHED AT HIS UNDERSTANDING

“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. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.” Luke 2:46-47. The parents of Jesus find him in the temple in discussion with the teachers. Jesus at the age of twelve was discussing matters of the law and the prophets. Such an interest in religious concerns would do all of us much good in our daily lives. There appears to be a respect on the part of Christ for these teachers, and certainly, for the law which God had given. Too many of us “entangle ourselves with the affairs of this life” (II Timothy 2:4) without very much, if any, consideration for the life to come. Jesus was engaged, even at age twelve, in questions and answers of eternal matters and the teaching that God had delivered for these issues. Those who are listening are amazed at the understanding and wisdom which Jesus possesses in regard to the law of God. The words of Christ continue to be amazing. We can only marvel at the wonderful teachings which Christ has spoken. As Christ would embark upon his public ministry, “All bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?” Luke 4:22. The words which Christ has spoken to us are life changing. We need to be amazed at his words. When Christ had finished the marvelous sermon which he taught on the mountain, “The people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:28-29. What surely must amaze us is that the words of Christ are not mere human words. Jesus spoke with authority. We are to listen and do what he teaches. The majestic revelation which he delivered teaches us, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3. We are to read, hear, and keep his words. The words of Christ reveal to us the very questions of our existence and our future. In the words of Christ, we have everything that we need to know so that we can have everlasting life. The twelve year old boy in the temple became the teacher of eternal truth. Peter’s time with Jesus convinced him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:68-69.

SUPPOSITION OR TRUTH

 SUPPOSITION OR TRUTH

“But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.” Luke 2:44. The parents of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, had taken him to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of passover. As they were returning home, they supposed him to be with other relatives, but he had remained in Jerusalem. After traveling for a day, they did not find him, and so, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. The reason that Jesus was not with them was because of their supposition. Is your relationship with Jesus based upon supposition or truth? Truth is a guide that is without supposition. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32. The word of Christ says that truth sets us free from the bondage of sin. By the truth, we are prepared to serve and glorify God. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17. Every individual should have a confirmation of their belief. “And we desire that everyone of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.” Hebrews 6:11. It is imperative that we be as the Bereans were when Paul preached the gospel to them. “They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11. Supposition will not save our soul, but only truth will save our soul. Salvation must not be sought among the various acquaintances of faith that are so dominant in our culture. We must seek salvation where it is found. We must not suppose that the church of which we are a member is right, but we must know by truth that it is right. The supposition of our society is that Jesus has built many churches when the truth of scripture teaches that he built only one. “Upon this rock I will build my church.” Matthew 16:18. The truth teaches that there is only one church. “But now are they many members, yet but one body.” I Corinthians 12:20. We must not suppose that music in worship is acceptable, but we must know that it is unacceptable. We must know that we are to “sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:19. Jesus was lost to Mary and Joseph because they supposed that he was where he really was not. There is no need for us to suppose about truth, but to be fully aware that God “hath given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” II Peter 1:3.

THE SUPPOSITION OF MARY AND JOSEPH

 THE SUPPOSITION OF MARY AND JOSEPH

“But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.” Luke 2:44-45. Jesus was twelve years of age when his parents go up to Jerusalem “after the custom of the feast.” Luke 2:42. “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee.” Deuteronomy 16:16-17. Jesus stayed behind without the knowledge of his parents as they left for home. They traveled for a day before realizing that their son was not with them. They supposed that he had been in the company of relatives. The problem with supposition is that we can be wrong. Various individuals had incorrect ideas as to the identity of Jesus. Jesus asked his disciples on an occasion, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some say, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” Matthew 16:13-14. These suggested identities were all incorrect. Jesus was, as Peter confessed, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16. Supposition can be deceptive. The Pharisees asked the officers who refused to arrest Christ, “Are ye also deceived?” John 7:47. The parents searched among their relatives for Christ, but he was not there. We can search in the wrong places for Christ. We can suppose that Christ is in a certain belief system, and yet, he is not found there at all. We can suppose that Christ is in all churches, and yet, Christ is not in all of those religious bodies. We can suppose that our worship which we offer to God is acceptable to him, and yet, we may be engaging in “vain worship.” Matthew 15:9. Cain found that his offering was not acceptable to God. Perhaps we suppose that God is going to overlook the lifestyle that we choose. Many suppose that God is only a God of mercy without any wrath. Mary and Joseph supposed that Christ was with him when he was not. They searched in the wrong place to find him. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” II Peter 1:10.

I MUST BE ABOUT

 I MUST BE ABOUT

“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. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, they father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 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 2:46-49. When Jesus was twelve years of age, he had been brought to Jerusalem by his parents. When they were making the journey home, “Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.” Luke 2:42-45. After a day, they discovered that he was not with them, and so, they returned to find him. If Jesus will be found of us, we must seek him. They found him in the temple, and were amazed. When you see Jesus as he truly is, you will be amazed. Multitudes were constantly amazed at his doctrine, his miracles, and his life. His mother approaches him expressing their sorrow that he was lost from them. They had supposed that he was in the company with their relatives and acquaintances as they traveled home. We can suppose that something is true, but may discover that it is false. We must not be wrong about our relationship with Jesus. We must know for certain and without any doubt that we are in the fellowship of Jesus Christ. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13. Our relationship must not rest on our supposing, but on our assurance. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22. Mary was reminded that Jesus had come to do his Father’s will and be about his business. “For I am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” John 6:38. The Father had sent his Son into the world “that whosoever believeth on him should not  perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Jesus was willing to leave the Father and come to earth in full submission to the Father’s will. You and I must submit to the will of God so that the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins will save us. “Submit yourselves therefore to God.” James 4:7.

MARRIAGE IS HONORABLE

 MARRIAGE IS HONORABLE

“Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4. Marriage is an institution from God and was established in the very beginning of the creation. Genesis 2:21-25. Marriage is between a man and a woman. I Corinthians 7:2. Marriage is to be a union that is for life. Romans 7:2-3. The only reason allowed by God for divorce and remarriage is because of fornication. Matthew 5:32. One man with one woman for life. This union creates a home, and God decrees that marriage is honorable. The very purpose and design of marriage was to create a home where happiness and love would abide. Any violation of these set rules of marriage constitutes sin, and God will judge sin. God has designed marriage for the reproduction of the human family. The home consists of three vital parts: husband, wife, and children. “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” Colossians 3:18-21. Herein lies the union of marriage and the obligation of each one in this union. When each part operates as God has directed, the home will be a place of bliss and peace. The Bible uses the beauty and harmony of Christ and the church to show how the home is to operate. Just as Christ and the church are one, so the husband and the wife are to be one. The Bible again takes the law that was given in the beginning to teach that the same law of marriage is still in place in our culture. “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” Ephesians 5:22-31. In marriage, one is no less than the other. One is no better than the other. The home is to be a place where there is unity and togetherness. Husband, wife, and children make their contribution for the stability and life of the home. Each is important, and is to be loved and appreciated. The home is to work in harmony with the will of God to produce good citizens of society, and good citizens of the heavenly kingdom. All souls in the home are bound for eternity, and should make all preparations for that final journey. Love and cherish each other for life.

BOUND TO HER HUSBAND

 BOUND TO HER HUSBAND

“For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” Romans 7:2-3. The law which binds the wife to the husband is the law of marriage which God gave in the beginning. God had created woman from the rib of man and brought her to the man and the two become one flesh. Genesis 2:21-25. This text teaches us that the wife is bound to the husband until the two are separated by death. This marriage law also applies to the husband being bound to the wife until death. Jesus taught, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And, if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” Mark 10:11-12. There is an exception which Jesus gives to this law of marriage. “It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” Matthew 5:31-32. The spouse against whom fornication has been committed is at liberty to divorce and remarry. This is the only exception that God allows. If a husband or wife divorce for any reason other than fornication and remarry, that one is guilty of adultery. The term, fornication, is used of “illicit sexual intercourse” and stands for or includes adultery. One who indulges in fornication is termed in scripture as a fornicator or whoremonger. Ephesians 5:5. “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” The law of God is “to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” I Corinthians 7:2. Notice that a man is to have his own wife, and a woman is to have her own husband. The gender of individuals is here established in this verse of scripture. To do otherwise is to violate divine authority.