How is it that ye sought Me? Knew ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?” Luke 2:49
Dear Ones:
Time is a gift of God. It has its beginning for each of us the moment we are conceived in our mother’s womb. It ends the moment that this body ceases to live. What occurs between these two events is of paramount importance to every individual, whether we realize it or not. That which makes this period of such great importance is the value that God puts upon it. Why is it so important from God’s perspective? We can begin to grasp something of the vastness of the answer by considering that God was working before “time,” with us not only in mind, but with a specific purpose and design. In the letter of Paul to the Ephesians, he wrote: “…according as He hath chosen us in Him BEFORE the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” (1:4) Time actually began for each of us, in the heart and mind of God, before the creation of the world. With regard to the Lord Jesus, on the subject of His precious blood which redeems us, Peter writes: “…who (Christ) verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” (1 Peter 1:20) Christ is the point of reference, basis, and essence, for our consideration of the importance, and value of time. The provision and power of time has its origin, essence, and ending in Christ. Paul writes: “He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” (Col. 1:17) The true concept of the worth, value, and purpose of time, can only be grasped by the Creator of it, and revealed to us by the Redeemer.
When Jesus was a boy of twelve years of age, his parents left Jerusalem to return to their home in Nazareth, assuming He was among the relatives and friends traveling with them. When they found that He was not among them, they hurried back to Jerusalem, searched for three days, finally finding Him sitting in the temple, asking questions of the doctors (or teachers), and listening to their responses. His parents then asked Him: “Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? Behold, Thy Father and I have sought Thee sorrowing.” (Lk.2:48) Jesus responded: “Knew ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?” In this short phrase, one discovers that Christ had a knowledge of why He was there. He also knew that His Father had sent Him. And lastly, He knew that which must occupy Him fully. If we should go a little deeper in our consideration of Jesus’ response, we discover that time was of great importance, as it was the Father’s provision whereby He could accomplish His purpose and work of redemption on Calvary. Jesus used well His time even as a boy.
When we look at the Lord Jesus after He began His ministry, we discover an individual who is wholly devoted to His Father, and the mission which had been given Him. He would tell the disciples: “I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man shall work.” (Jn. 9:4) Christ is keenly aware of the opportunity and obligation before Him, and the “works” that the Father has called Him to accomplish. It must be said that “time” is not Christ’s master, but it is the Father’s provision so that the blessing of eternal life can be given to all who would truly believe in Him. In the time frame, between birth and His death, Christ’s attitude never changed: “My meat (food) is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” (Jn. 4:34)
There is coming a day for nations, and individuals, when time shall be no more. The call for us all, and individually, is to use well our time. We are to be about our Father’s business according to the knowledge of His will, and Christ’s specific calling of us all.
Dear Father, Grant us to use well our time, living to do Thy will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad