SOUNDING OUT:
Our Father’s Business
The account of Jesus speaking to the
Samaritan woman at the well is interesting for many
reasons on many levels. One of the interesting aspects
of the story is Jesus’ statement about his sustenance.
In John 4:31-33 Jesus’ disciples return from their
errand to get food and offer some to Jesus. They are
a bit surprised at his response. They knew before they
left that he was tired and thirsty, but now after returning
with the food and drink Jesus seemed no longer interested
in them. His mood had changed. His response to their
offer of food was to say, “I have meat to eat
that ye know not of.” The disciples’ misunderstanding
set the stage for Jesus to clarify his statement. He
was eager to instruct them about what had transpired
and prepare them for what was just ahead. In John 4:34
Jesus said, “My meat is to do the will of Him
that sent me, and to finish His work.”
This didn’t mean that Jesus didn’t
need physical food, but rather that his passion and
desire to do his Father’s will provided sustenance
of which they were not aware. He knew man did not live
by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out
of the mouth of God. His priority was spiritual, not
material; the Father’s work must be done. Doing
so satisfied Jesus’ hunger in a way that the disciples
were not yet aware.
Chronologically, the first recorded words of Jesus in
the Bible are found in Luke 2:49 where he said, “How
is it that ye sought me? wist [knew] ye not that I must
be about my Father’s business?” The last
words before he died were “It is finished.”
He had finished the work his Father had given him to
do. All the time in between he was about his Father’s
business.
Simeon was one who also took delight in doing
the Father’s will. God had business for him to
conduct, so He had to let him know how to do it.
Luke 2:25,26:
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name
was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting
for the consolation of Israel [Put for the Messiah who
would bring consolation to Israel]: and the Holy Ghost
was upon him.
26 And it was revealed [That’s
not apokaluptõ. It’s chrematizõ
in the passive voice] unto him by [hupo with the genitive
denoting the sole agent by which something is performed.]
the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before
he had seen the Lord's Christ.
Chrematizõ
is used 9 times and is translated in the KJV “be
warned of God 3x, call 2x, be admonished of God once,
reveal once, speak once, be warned from God once. It
literally means to transact business or to manage affairs.
(It comes from the root, chrema meaning money, business,
or riches.) This is how God does business. To conduct
business with and for God requires revelation. God is
our business partner and we are fellowlaborers with
Him. If He wants us to do His will, He has to let us
know what it is, and He does. His Word is revelation,
and when we need more specific information there is
word of knowledge, word of wisdom, and discerning of
spirits available, too.
People study for years to learn trades and business
skills, but when it comes to spiritual matters the systems
of the world promote the idea that spiritual things
are accomplished without effort and hard work. They
sort of come by osmosis or something. It is sort of
transcendental or esoteric or something. It is the adversary’s
spiritual matters that transpire that way through possession
and loss of control and personal accountability. Rightly
dividing the Word and walking on it is the highest endeavor
I know of. It takes the utmost of our resolve and determination
to stay put in the awesome grace of God and labor together
with Him. Walking by the spirit and being led by God’s
power is a learning process. It takes an accurate knowledge
of God’s Word and operating manifestations of
holy spirit to grow and mature like we should.
Take this situation for instance. God’s
Word promised a redeemer, Messiah, which would be born
in Bethlehem. Now Simeon must have been some man. He
so longed for the coming of Messiah that God told him
he would get to see him before he died. Now he could
have reasoned that since Micah 5:2 said Messiah would
be born in Bethlehem, I should go hangout there and
visit every boy who is born. However, God had a different
plan. He had something he wanted Simeon to do for Joseph
and Mary.
Luke 2:27-33:
And he [Simeon] came by [en] the Spirit into the temple:
and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to
do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in
his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word [rhêma]:
30 For mine eyes have seen
thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared
before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the
Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother
marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
Simeon “came
by the spirit.” He was led by the spirit to be at
the right place at the right time. He not only received
the fulfillment of God’s promise to him [from verse
26], but he also was able to bless Joseph and Mary by
speaking a wonderful prophecy regarding their baby, Jesus.
Simeon spoke what God wanted said, and it ministered to
the hearts of Joseph and Mary.
God had work He needed to be done, and Simeon did
it. Simeon was led by the spirit. He operated the revelation
manifestations. We have similarly been equipped with holy
spirit. We can be about our Father’s business also.
God will communicate with you. He will instruct you. When
we desire to do His will, He will provide opportunities.
He wants His will done; He will let us know what it is.
As we walk His Word we know we are doing His will. Let’s
be ready for more specific information as we do. Expect
God to communicate to you. You’re his child; He
has guidance for you.
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