Understanding the Assignment - Luke 2:49; Mark 7:37

Luke 2:49 - And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

Mark 7:37 - And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

He/She “understood the assignment” is a phrase used in social media/popular culture to denote approval and praise when someone does a certain task extremely well. Essentially, it indicates a person fully grasps their role in a particular endeavor and executes it accordingly. For example, during crunch time in an important game, a key player comes through in the clutch to help secure the team’s victory. Another instance might be when an actor gives a stellar, transcendent performance in a role they are playing. Perhaps, a speaker or politician provides passionate, wise, and stirring words that move or persuade an audience in time and space. In each scenario, they, according to the saying, “understood the assignment.”

From an early age, Jesus understood His assignment from God, evidenced in His words uttered as a 12-year-old in the Jerusalem temple: “I must be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). Such focus continued into his public ministry as an adult: “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). His actions were not merely self-proclaimed. He received external validation as well, from God and man. Following Jesus’ baptism, God declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). After yet another miraculous act, the people assessed, “He hath done all things well” (Mark 7:37). He always understood the assignment, culminating in His acceptance of Calvary’s cross: “…not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).

Likewise, we all have assignments. They can be general in nature while others are more personal. Here are a handful of the general callings for believers:

· Love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:35-40)

· Make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)

· Live righteously (1 Peter 1:16)

· Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)

· Stand out (1 Peter 2:9)

Additionally, we also have our more individual assignments that bless the body of Christ. Those are the unique callings that God has impressed upon the individual believer’s heart based on the gifts, desires, and talents He has invested within them.

Admittedly, this can be a dangerous proposition as we will employ “God told me…” to justify all manner of actions that can span from truly God-inspired to benignly foolish to downright, malignantly wrong.

Even in the things of God, we should be careful to guard against acting based on our own selfish ambitions, others’ agendas for us, or motivations for popularity, wealth, ungodly approval, etc. Therefore, it is safe to start with those clear mandates given to all believers. Over time, the more unique callings and assignments will crystallize as we seek to follow God’s plans and wise, spirit-filled counsel for our lives.

Reflection: How would you assess your alignment with your God-given assignment(s)?