Scripture reference: Luke 2:41-52. (Scripture references in this article are from the King James Version of the Bible.)
Doing the Work of the Lord
The scriptures of Luke 2:41-52 tells the story of Jesus acknowledging who he was and the work which was a part of his divine assignment. As we order our lives to follow the Lord, this story is a beautiful example of what it takes to do godly work.
Jesus, in these scriptures, is a 12-year-old youth and he makes a verbal decree about the work he was created to carry out on earth. This is also an excellent lesson for every Christian. We can observe the actions of Jesus and learn how to execute the work of the Lord.
In case we are not clear about who we are in our spiritual walk, Ephesians 2:10 is quite clear in identifying who we are in Christ: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” We are called and authorized by God to do godly work! Each of us is created for work. However, your work may not look like your neighbor’s work. Yet, the body of Christ is enhanced when those who have been ordained for a specific task decide to work as a team.
By being in the temple and sitting among the teachers asking questions, listening and answering questions, Jesus demonstrated he was fully engaged in advancing the teaching and understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Jesus also publicly acknowledged his teaching call. He said, quite boldly, that he had to “be about his (my) Father’s business…”
Because we are ordained to do the work of the father, we must do the work of the father. We can see that work is needed when we look around our communities. There are areas which immediately come to mind that need to be improved. We cannot turn back the hands of time to correct these challenges and deficiencies and there is no re-do on life to correct what should have been done differently in the past. We must look at the needs as they are at this moment and do the work.
Youth or senior citizen, preacher or lay person, there is a job with your name on it and following the principles that Jesus embodied throughout his earthly life. I want to point out three principles that Jesus always embodied:
1. It is good to dwell in the House of the Lord. 2 Timothy 2:15-16 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” The Word of God does not change, and Christians must “rightly divide” the Word of God to carry out his mandates, because it is impossible to do the right thing if his word has been misinterpreted.
2. We are called to live what we learn. 2 Timothy 2:19b-20 states, “The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” Plainly stated, if there is going to be an enjoyment of privilege there must be an observation of duty, and the work of God is not a sprint. It is a marathon, and Christians must take care of the things of God. Christians, like an athlete, have specific rules by which they must play. Failing to follow God’s rule negates the good work of the Christian and it thus becomes work of dishonor.
3. Learn to recognize what is unholy. Christians must be able to recognize spiritual warfare and the manifestation of evil fruit in the life of individuals and society. A list of ungodly behavior can be found in 2 Timothy 3:1-9. While certainly less than a complete list, ungodly behavior is described as boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash and conceited. How different is the behavior of evil doers from the Christian who is engaged in the Fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.
In the completeness of time, Mary and Joseph found Jesus. While it is yet time, let us seek out Jesus the Christ who has shed his blood and borne the stripes for our salvation and our healing.
St James AME Church is located at 360 Dorothy St. in Charleston and worship service is held on the first and third Sunday of each month at 11 a.m. You may also join us on Zoom – pastorv.com.
