Joining
Jesus in the Father’s House
It seems
like things should be slowing down a little since we’ve gotten through the bulk
of the holidays, but there is still a lot happening and more holy days to
observe as we enter the new year.
-
Church
Year – Christmas, Circumcision/Naming of Jesus (Jan 1), Epiphany (Jan. 6),
Slaughter of the Innocents, Flight to Egypt, Move to Nazareth, Jesus in the
Temple
-
Begin
the Epiphany Season – Undecorate, shift focus to Jesus’ revelation
-
End
of the Month – Greg Finke – Joining Jesus on His Mission
Part of what
we do is we tell Jesus’ story
-
Epiphany
– Magi
-
Jesus
in the Temple – last glimpse of Jesus’ childhood
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 according to custom. 43 And
when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed
behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, 44 but
supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began
to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, 45 and
when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for
him. 46 After three days they found him in the
temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them
questions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at
his understanding and his answers. 48 And when his
parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son,
why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching
for you in great distress.” 49 And he said to
them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be
in my Father's house?” 50 And they did
not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51 And
he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them.
And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom
and in stature and in favor with God and man.
What do we
get from this account of Jesus’ childhood?
-
Jesus
went to church? (His parents took him to church)
-
Jesus
impressed the religious leaders?
-
Jesus
was obedient to Mary and Joseph?
All worthy
topics, but I want to grab on to this: Jesus was in His Father’s house.
-
Translations
vary
o
“in
my Father’s house”
o
“about
my Father’s business”
o
“in
the things of my Father”
-
Jesus
wanted to be where the father does His work and He wanted
to be involved in that work.
o
Saving
Sinners
o
Restoring
People
o
Reconciling
us with Himself
o
Redeeming
the fallen ones
o
Calling
to repentance
o
Revealing
Love
o
Proclaiming
grace.
Jesus goes
about this in a unique way. He is, after all the Son of God and the Savior of
the World.
-
Born
to die and rise again!
We, however,
also have unique role in this story. Jesus is the Savior, and we are the saved.
-
Re-born
in baptism to receive the everlasting life Jesus came to win for us.
-
Adopted
into God’s family.
-
Brothers
and sisters in and with Christ – Children of the same Heavenly Father.
Don’t we
want to be where God is working? Don’t we want to be involved that work?
-
Sharing
what we’ve received – 1 Cor 15
-
Light
of the World
This also
means that we are where God continues to give grace, to work redemption in our
lives, and to grow us into His image.
2026 –
Joining Jesus
-
In
the Father’s House
-
In
His Death
-
In
His Virtues
-
In
His Gospel
-
On
His Mission
Only
possible because Jesus joined us.
-
He
is still about his Father’s work – still in the Father’s house – doing the
Father’s work
-
Genesis
to Revelation
Comments