THE FATHER'S BUSINESS: Dealers in Hope

 

His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover.   And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.  ‎When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.  So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.  Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.  And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.  So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”  And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:41-49)

 

If a business is to be successful, it must answer two questions, "What's our business?" and "How is business?"  There is to be a focus on purpose and performance. 

Jesus mentions the most important business in the world: God's business.  So, as His church we need to evaluate what God has given us to do and how well we are doing it. 

We could express our business with several different terms, but let me put it this way, "We are dealers in hope."  Our business is to present Christ as the hope of the world.    The church does not need to try to become like the world to reach the world.  Instead, we offer a commodity that cannot be secured anywhere else, and one that can’t be lived without: HOPE!

Jesus understood His Father’s business.  The world was hopelessly, helplessly lost and He came to bring the hope of forgiveness and eternal life.  We can measure our effectiveness by seeing how Jesus went about doing His Father's business and committing ourselves to do likewise.

"What's our business?" and "How is business?"