God@Work

by Pastor Moh |  February 9, 2015
Once I heard someone say, “What happens on Monday-Saturday in the marketplace has no relationship to what takes place on in the Church on Sunday."

Can this be true?

I don’t think so!

In 2005, a movie entitled “The Passion “was released that chronicled the last twenty-four hours before the crucifixion of Christ. During a flashback scene, Jesus was seen in his carpentry shop making a table with his mother standing by playfully observing his work. It was a very beautiful scene that reminds us that Jesus was a carpenter for most of his adult life. In fact, Jesus was more qualified to be a carpenter than the Son of God in the eyes of the people because that is the history they knew of this young working class man named Jesus from Nazareth.

Consider that in the New Testament of Jesus' 132 public appearances, 122 were in the marketplace. Of 52 parables Jesus told, 45 had a workplace context. Of 40 miracles in the book of Acts, 39 were in the marketplace. Jesus spent his adult life as a carpenter until age 30 before he went into a preaching ministry in the workplace. And, 54% of Jesus' reported teaching ministry arose out of issues posed by others in the scope of daily life experience. Saint Bonaventure said, "His doing nothing 'wonderful' (his first 30-years) was in itself a kind of wonder."

Work, in its different forms, is mentioned more than 800 times in the Bible -more than all the words used to express worship, music, praise, and singing combined. God created work and He is a worker. "My father is always at his work to this very day, and I too, am working" (John 5:17). When it came time to recruit those for whom the Church would be founded, He chose twelve men from the workplace - a fisherman, a tax collector, a doctor, and so on. So, the next time you are tempted to minimize your daily work as anything less than a holy calling, remember that Jesus was a workplace minister as a carpenter in his community. He has called you and I to reflect His glory in our daily work.

Our work is a representation of our Christian Character. It speaks volumes as to who we really are when it really matters. When Jesus came to earth, how did He come? He came as a carpenter. He was a man given to work with his hands and to provide an honest service to his community.
 
Listen to the comments of the Nazareth Community when Jesus returns home as an Anointed Rabbi…
"Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.” (Mark 6:3).

Commenting on this text in  "The Beauty of Spiritual Language: Unveiling the Mystery of Speaking in Tongues" (pp. 52–54), Jack Hayford writes:
“…It was Joe Blinco, the beloved former associate of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, later executive director of Southern California’s Forest Home Conference Center, who addressed this issue of Christian dependability so pointedly. I was one of a thousand pastors present when Joe drew our attention to Mark 6:3. “Isn’t this man THE carpenter, the son of Mary?” He commented: "It’s worthy of our attention to note that this passing reference to Jesus, with direct reference to His profession as a carpenter/contractor, contains the Greek definite article—He’s called THE carpenter. The intent could so easily be overlooked, but let me cast it for you in words we can remember. The inquirers are saying something very direct, but within their remark is an indirect statement about Jesus as a part of the professional community. He was THE carpenter in Nazareth; as though one might say, “If you’re looking for someone who’ll do a reliable job, who is dependable as a worker, the carpenter you want in this town is a specific one—His name is Jesus, Joseph’s son. If he quotes a price, he’ll stick to it; if he says he’ll be there at 8 A.M., he’ll be on time; and if he promises a quality job, you can be sure you’ll get it.”
 
Jesus’ work as a Carpenter was a representation of His Character. So, when He preached THE WORD of God, people were more likely to believe Him because it was backed up his integrity, honesty and excellence in the workplace. Jesus truly walked in the Truth, and there was NO disconnect between His sacred and secular life. It was all holy and dedicated to the Lord.

So before we preach let’s allow our light to shine, especially in our homes, schools, businesses, workplaces, etc… just like Jesus :-) NOT is our own strength But by the power of the Holy Spirit (2Tim 1:7)

References:
  • Jack Hayford, (1996). "The Beauty of Spiritual Language: Unveiling the Mystery of Speaking in Tongues" (pp. 52–54). Nashville; Atlanta; London; Vancouver: Thomas Nelson.
  • Os Hillman Devotionals “Today God is First” January 2015 Series