This is a sacred time of year to remember the birth of Jesus, our Savior. We will sing our sacred songs and watch the children’s play, and marvel at the yard displays that seem to get bigger every year. Yes, it is a fun time of year.
But I got to thinking since most of us spend our days in the workplace trying to live in a manner pleasing to the Savior of the world, what did Jesus think and say about work? We try to be Kingdom workers, so Jesus must have been a model.
- Jesus was born in the workplace – a farmyard with the first witnesses being the working class from the fields (Luke 2: 7, 8).
- Jesus grew up in a carpenter’s home (MT 13:55) and learned the carpenters trade (Mark 6:3) and apparently did that until he was age thirty (Luke 3:23).
- He was sensitive to the working class and welcomed them and promised them rest (MT 11:28-30).
- Consider that in the New Testament, Jesus made 132 public appearances, and 122 were in the marketplace. Of 52 parables Jesus told, 45 had a workplace context.
- Jesus in His deity created the universe including mankind and spent six days at work. (Ex 2:2) After rest, he continued to work (John 5:17)
- After creation, Jesus gave man some jobs to do for his work (Genesis 1:28; 2:15).
- His first disciples were workplace professionals, fishermen, (Luke 5: 10,11) and Matthew the tax collector and others (9:9).
- Near the end of His life while dying on the Cross, he uttered, “It is finished.” It was His work on this earth that was finished (John 19:30).
Yes, the Christ of Christmas was a worker; he valued and required work of mankind; and as our Savior and King, He helps us integrate His love and principles with our work as we bring His kingdom to all people – for the greater glory of God.
Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures
Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com