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Most of you probably know the story of Jesus from when he was a boy up until his ministry began. It’s good to review and be reminded of this story from time to time.
I can remember a little over 2 or 3 years ago, I was getting a little frustrated trying to put together words of encouragement for a sermonette. You see, I thought because people have been in the church for 20, 30, 40, 50 years, what I could possibly tell them they didn’t already know.
I sought a minister’s advice after explaining this to him. His answer was very simple. He said, “Peter it doesn’t matter how long someone has been in the church. However simple your message is, we need to be reminded over and over again.” With that assurance, here’s my message.
At the age 12, it is recorded that Jesus attended the festival of Passover in Jerusalem with his parents and relatives, as it was their custom each year. When the Passover ended, and on their way home, Mary and Joseph realized Jesus was missing. They searched for him among relatives and acquaintances. But, much to their dismay and distress, they could not find him in the caravan.
Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem to continue their search for him. Can you imagine their concern? Three days later, they found Jesus in the temple sitting in the midst of the teachers listening to them and asking questions. All who saw him were and amazed at his understanding.
When His parents saw Jesus, they were astonished. His mother said “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, your father and I have sought You anxiously.” Luke 2:48.
Jesus was preoccupied with interest in spiritual matters, No doubt His own understanding of His identity was well ahead of the insights of His parents. Clearly, He thought they ought to have known why He was in the Temple. Although Joseph and Mary knew much about Jesus, full understanding had not yet dawned on them.
Jesus replied to Mary, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and
men.” Luke 2:49-52.
Note what Jesus said at the young age of 12, “do you not know, I must be about my Father’s business!” It is a very powerful statement, as it speaks volumes to us as followers of Christ.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments,” John 14:15.
The key here brethren is the next verse that says the father will send to you another helper the Spirit of Truth, it will abide in you. In John 14:16 Jesus says “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”
Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”
When you are confronted with a situation concerning God, how should we approach it? My advice would be to ask this question: What would Jesus do (or WWJD)? He was here on His father’s business. As a Christian, are you going about your Heavenly Father’s business?
Remember God’s commandments, love one another, study His word and don’t quench God’s Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. Do all these things and you will be looking about your Father’s business.”
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” 2 Corinthians 13:11-14
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