And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me?  Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?  Luke 2:49

     In this familiar passage of scripture we find Jesus, as a twelve year old boy expressing  surprise that His parents did not know that He could be found with the teachers of the law, in the temple.  It is quite stunning to consider, that at such a young age, Jesus was so clear about His mission.  That clarity remained throughout his brief life.  Later, He said that He came to  save that which was lost (Mat. 18:11).   He said He came to destroy the works of the devil.  And He did.  He came to reconcile a lost world back to the Father.   And He did.  In spite of the daily distractions of life, the temptations, the demonic assignment against His life, a family who really did not understand Him, and the pressures of ministry, He fulfilled His mission.  He came to reconcile a lost world back to the Father.
      And He has committed also to us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18).  Furthermore, Jesus told His disciples, Heal the sick, cast out demons, cleanse the leper, and raise the dead  (Mat. 10:8).  This is the work of the ministry committed to every believer by Jesus Himself.  This is the purpose to which we have been commissioned.  In all of our doing, getting and becoming, let us be as unmovable in our divine commission as Jesus was.  If we accomplish extraordinary things in our lives but fail in fulfilling the commandment of our Lord to continue the ministry He began, than we are not worthy of the name Christian.   Today, just as 2000 years ago, real disciples do the things that Jesus did.   If we do everything, except  the specific things He told us to do, is that obedience?  What a privilege to know that He has called us to be co-labourers together with Him in the work of the kingdom.   Apart from Him we can do nothing, but with Him we can faithfully advance the kingdom in our generation.  

     Scripture reading:  Luke 2:41-52

     Father, we want to be obedient to you and the assignment you have given us.  Thank you that through the power of the Holy Spirit we can destroy the works of the devil and offer reconciliation to those who are lost.  We commit to wholehearted obedience to you.  Amen.