About His Father's Business
H. R. Haweis, M. A. Luke 2:49 And he said to them, How is it that you sought me? knew you not that I must be about my Father's business? At His mother's tender reproach He turns, and lifts His dreamy eyes towards her — eyes that have been only intent on the sacred scroll before Him, and raised only to the grave faces of the official teachers around Him. For the first time He is aware of His own absorption. It seems incredible to Him that those nearest and dearest should be out of sympathy with Him at such a moment — unconscious of the spiritual influences which to Him were all in all — of the fascination of the law — of the solemnities of the Temple, from which He had not been able to tear Himself. He stands still, rooted to the spot; He has one more question to ask, not of the priest, but of His parents: "Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" It sounded like a simple home appeal — had He not always been zealous about the carpentering business in the workshop of His reputed father at Nazareth — should He be less zealous about the work the heavenly Father was carrying on in Him at Jerusalem? A call so distinct — an opportunity so unique — a combination so complete — in the Temple — sitting in the midst of doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions; there was indeed business — more profitable beyond compare than anything to be found at Nazareth; there was at last edification beyond all human handicraft. He could not choose but be there — until called back. I must, He said — such moments of spiritual constraint fashion our lives. I must speak out, I must give it up, I must strike the blow, make the sacrifice, sound the matter to its depths, be alone in prayer, search out one who can teach or guide me, if only for a single brief hour, or for one fugitive day at a certain crisis — under the constraint of guiding events, a spiritual voice, a Divine leading. I must sit in the Temple, hear, inquire. I feel this leap into the future, this sudden growth in wisdom. I can make no mistake — the revelation is too cogent, too inward, too harmonious. I am being dealt with. I cannot choose, but hear and be as I am. I must be about My Father's business. (H. R. Haweis, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? WEB: He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"