What did Jesus mean when he said, “I must be about my Father’s business”? And what does it mean to us? There was a time when we all did what Satan wanted (Ephesians 2:1-3), but now we do the things that are shown to us by the Spirit of God. Our loving Father wants to show us His intentions just as He showed them to Jesus. The Father loved the Son and showed him everything He did, so that those who followed him would marvel (John 5:20).
How Jesus and his Father worked together in harmony (from The Amplified Bible):
1. Jesus worked with His Father relationally. “My Father has worked (even) until now. [He has never ceased working; He is still working] and I, too, must be at [divine] work.” (John 5:17)
2. Jesus worked with His father responsively. “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn].” (Verse 19) The Williams Translation puts it this way: “Whatever the Father is in the habit of doing the Son also persists in doing.”
3. Jesus worked with His Father knowingly. Not blindly or mindlessly. “The Father dearly loves the Son and discloses to (shows) Him everything that He himself does. And He will disclose to Him (let Him see) greater things yet than these, so that you may marvel and be full of wonder and astonishment.” (Verse 20)
4. Jesus worked with the Father willingly. “I am able to do nothing from myself [independently, of My own accord – but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I decide [As the voice comes to me, so I give a decision], and my judgement is right (just, righteous) because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father who sent Me.” (Verse 30)
Jesus was “the first-born of many brethren” – so as we please God, He does as He pleases through us. God’s sovereignty and our responsibility flow together in beautiful harmony. The NT Greek word translated “please” means “behaviour that results from relationship” — intentional, deliberate conduct pleasing to God.
The Christian’s walk with the Lord is not a tension between two opposing forces of His sovereignty and our responsibility, but rather a compatible relationship between two working in unity. As we do the things that please the Father, the Father does as He pleases through us! If we wish to be “about our Father’s business” like Jesus was, we need to get closer to our Father. After all, He’s the one who founded it in the first place.