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January 8, 2009
Serve Him in the Secular Arena
Jesus captivated His listeners by presenting truth in terms that they could understand Matt. 13 we find no less than eight different images from the work world. Clearly, Jesus knew how to relate to the world in which everyday people lived and worked.
No wonder Jesus probably spent most of His life working in His family’s cabinetry business. We know almost nothing of His youth from adolescence until He began his public ministry at about age 30. But we know that His father was a carpenter (Matt. 13:55) and that Jesus also practiced the trade (Mark 6:3).
Jesus may have continued His occupation even after He began to teach and travel. Rabbis (or teachers) of the day commonly spent anywhere from one third to one half of their time working (most likely with their hands) to provide for themselves. And while Jesus’ opponents, many of them rabbis, attacked Him on numerous grounds, they never accused Him of laziness or freeloading. Indeed, He was known to them as a carpenter.
Jesus’ teaching was filled with workplace images and analogies such as those recorded here. Using parables (brief tales illustrating moral principles), He frequently spoke about the nature of His kingdom. Matthew 13 collects eight of these as listed below (with possible interpretations).
1. The parable of the soils (13:1-23).
2. The parable of the wheat and the weeds (13:24-30).
3. The parable of the mustard seed (13:31-32).
4. The parable of leaven (13:33).
5. The parable of the hidden treasure (13:44).
6. The parable of the pearl of great price (13:45-46).
7. The parable of the dragnet (13:47-50).
8. The parable of the householder (13:51-52).
Jesus’ stones connected with the real world of agriculture (sowing harvesting growing), the food industry (baking, fishing), real estate (land purchasing, home ownership), and retailing, (the sale of pearls). His images and language helped bring His message alive to common people. It showed clearly that God takes an interest in the workplace and desires people to serve Him in the “secular” arena.
For the kingdom,
City Bible Business Ministry
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