"I MUST BE ABOUT MY FATHER'S BUSINESS"

There are several words that defined and characterized the mind-set of Jesus Christ while He was on mission; words such as courageous, faithful, humble, and obedient. Jesus often used words and phrases to describe Himself: gentle and lowly in heart, the bread of life, and the good shepherd. Of all the words that Jesus used, I don’t know of any that carried as much weight as must! Must is usually used to say that something is necessary. Must, have to, have got to, and need to are all used to say that it is necessary that something be done.

1. When Jesus was twelve years old, Mary and Joseph went up to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. After the feast they returned home, thinking Jesus was in their company. When they did not find Him amongst their relatives and acquaintances, they returned to Jerusalem seeking Him. After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening and asking questions. Like any good parent, Mary said, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I MUST be about My Father’s business?” (LUKE 2:41-50)

2. Speaking with Nicodemus, Jesus said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, EVEN SO MUST the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (JOHN 3:14-15)

3. Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, “I MUST PREACH the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” (LUKE 4:42-43)

4. While Jesus was alone praying, His disciples joined Him. He asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” So they answered and said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and other say that one of the old prophets has risen again. He said to them, ”But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.” (LUKE 9:18-20). It was after this that Jesus began to show His disciples that HE MUST go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priest and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. (MATTHEW 16:21)

5. “I MUST work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” (JOHN 9:4)

6. “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I MUST bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” (JOHN 10:16)

7. “Nevertheless, I MUST journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.” (LUKE 13:33)

8. “And the gospel MUST first be preached to all the nations.” (MARK 13:10)

9. While Jesus was still speaking with His disciples, Judas came with a detachment of troops and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees (JOHN 18:3), with swords and clubs (MATTHEW 26:47). Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scripture MUST be fulfilled.” (MARK 14:48-49). “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that IT MUST happen thus?” (MATTHEW 26:53-54)

10. Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scriptures, that HE MUST rise again from the dead.” (JOHN 20:8)

11. Then He spoke to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, THAT ALL THINGS MUST BE FULFILLED which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” (LUKE 24:44)

12. Jesus told His disciples that it was NECESSARY for the Christ to suffer and rise. (LUKE 24:46)

13. Whom heaven MUST RECEIVE until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. (ACTS 3:21)

Paul said, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus ” (PHILIPPIANS 2:5).

Lord, help us to have the attitude of Christ and to say, "I MUST BE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS"

Author Unknown

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