| Luke 2:49 – “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” |
As a young boy, I stumbled upon a work that has always perplexed me in terms of its classification. Is it a play or a story? Regardless, it has become a beloved tradition during the holiday season. I am referring to none other than Charles Dickens’ timeless masterpiece, A Christmas Carol.
This tale shaped the essence of our Christmas celebrations.
Before Dickens, our festivities lacked the richness and depth that we now associate with this joyous time of year. He introduced countless themes that have become integral to the American Christmas experience.
Each year, I eagerly immerse myself in the pages or screen adaptation of this enchanting tale. At present, I am captivated by the audio version, which brings the story to life in a whole new way.
Within its pages, we encounter the portrait of a heartless and miserly man named Ebenezer Scrooge. He holds no regard for humanity, poverty, or the passing of time. To him, every day is a monotonous repetition, and the world seems to conspire against him. Thus, he must struggle relentlessly to attain his desires.
Perhaps you, like me, have encountered individuals reminiscent of Scrooge in your own life.
From the twisted soul of Ebenezer Scrooge and his haunting encounter with spectral beings, a multitude of profound insights emerge. For Dickens, the crux of the story revolves around a pivotal question: Will Scrooge undergo a transformative change?
One scene stands out, where Scrooge first encounters the ghostly apparition of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley. In their exchange, Scrooge attempts to pacify the ghost while also seeking redemption for himself. It is during this exchange that he utters words that resonate deeply within all of us.
Scrooge says to Marley, with a faltering voice, “But you were always a good man of business, Jacob.” In that moment, Scrooge begins to apply this reflection to his own life.
To this, the Ghost cries out, wringing its ethereal hands, “Business! Mankind was my business. The welfare of all was my business. Acts of charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were, and still are, my business. The dealings of my trade were but a mere drop in the vast ocean of my purpose!”
This exchange compels us to ponder, “What is our purpose in life?” It goes beyond mere monetary pursuits and encompasses profound matters, those that truly make a difference. It sheds light on a statement from the book of Luke, a passage we often quote yet may not fully comprehend.
In Luke 12, within a unique vignette found nowhere else, we catch a glimpse of the pre-adolescent Jesus.
Mary and Joseph join a caravan of pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem, where they must present themselves to the Roman Caesar.
However, on their journey back home, things take an unexpected turn. Jesus is nowhere to be found. Did we inadvertently leave him behind?
Filled with worry, Joseph and Mary hasten back to Jerusalem, only to discover that Jesus has been engaging in thought-provoking discussions with the religious scholars. He was, in a way, challenging their knowledge and emerging victorious.
During their parental distress, they exclaim, “Why have you treated us this way? Don’t you understand how worried we have been?”
Yet, this twelve-year-old child responds with the wisdom of a sage: “And He said to them, ‘Why were you searching for Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?'” (Luke 2:49)
Jesus was focused on His Father’s business. Shouldn’t we also be dedicated to the Father’s purpose?
Let us remember to ask ourselves, “What is the true calling that should govern our lives?” It is in answering this question that we will discover the essence of our existence.
Robert G. Taylor
robertgtaylor.com
