Our Father's Business
"Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" Jesus' first words in the Gospel of Luke change everything. In the ancient world, the father sets the family agenda. Where he lives, that is where the family lives. What the father does for a living (farmer, craftsmen, carpenter) will become the life choice for the son.
Jesus is doing two profound things here. First, He is reminding Mary of His true father (Luke 1:32-35; 3:22-23). Mary, obviously distracted during the frantic moments of her "mis-placing-Jesus-dilemma" has forgotten both "who He is" but also "whose He is."
Second, and maybe most important, Jesus is charging each of us all right here and now, to publically declare to whom we align our life-agenda. Jesus tells all, in a public forum, "I declare my Father's will the only agenda in my life." There can be no competing loyalties in your heart.
Will you pray for our teams this summer? Some of us may have "plans" for Malawi. Pray that we would be willing to lay down our own plans for His. Pray for us to be open to a "Jesus adventure" this summer. Pray that we will allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide. Pray that all our teams will be oriented to the "Father's Way" this summer.
"Lord, not my will but your will be done!" (Luke 22:42).
May Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane become our declaration of loyalty. Amen.
We invite you to use our summer prayer guide to pray for us.
