Lesson 7 is based on Chapter 6 of the book The Incomparable Christ by J. Oswald Sanders entitled “The Earthly Occupation of Christ.”

Main idea: Of 18 years of the earthly life of Christ, we know nothing except that he was the carpenter’s son.  Out of all possible occupations, God chose for His Son in the incarnation, the lot of the working man.

1. Jesus humbled himself to toil with saw and hammer at a carpenter’s bench for 18 years.
2. Jesus purposed to identify Himself fully with the bulk of mankind, the common people, stamping men’s common toil with everlasting honor.
3. Jesus was willing to occupy such a lowly sphere for so long.  We are given both the example as well as the incentive to be willing to do common tasks joyously.
4. Jesus worked as a carpenter six times longer than his world-shaking ministry.  He did not shrink from the hidden years of preparation.
5. He was well-known as a carpenter possibly because, as is usual to Jesus, “he doeth all things well.” That is, his work ethic and work standards were never less than perfect.
6. Jesus’ three years of ministry involved much travelling over rough roads and country lanes, mountains and deserts.  Only a physically perfect constitution could have supported such unceasing activity and force. And his strong constitution was honed during the years of toil at manual labor.

It is only fitting that we reflect upon Jesus’ industry seeing as May 1st was Labor Day.  Jesus submitted himself to the apprenticeship at his adoptive father’s carpentry shop.  Jesus submitted himself to work hard.  Jesus had no power tools, he had no downloadable plans from the internet.  Jesus’ first eighteen years of life was one of hard work.

It is for this reason that Hebrews 5:8 states: “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.”  When we read this verse, we usually think of the suffering of Christ on the cross, and this is primarily what this verse refers to because the context of the chapter involves the sacrifice of Jesus Christ of his own body.  However, Jesus also suffered hunger, he suffered thirst, he suffered fatigue. He suffered wounds, cuts and bruises as he worked. He suffered unreasonable customers. He suffered complaining buyers.  He suffered those who would try to cheat him of his wages. Jesus suffered those who would criticize his work.  He suffered the scorn and snobbery of the rich and the well-off who probably looked down on his lowly status as a working man.  Jesus was a laborer.  He so proudly said that his Father worked and that is the reason why he also must work.

Jesus was our example.  May we be like him, learning total submission and humble obedience through the things we suffer while working.  Jesus never shunned work, he never shunned his anonymity.  He was never impatient during the silent years of hidden preparation. Most people who feel called into the ministry are raring to go and prove themselves, they plunge in, wishing the more visible tasks in the limelight, and avoiding the hidden years of preparation.  May Jesus be our example even in the way we work.

Even today, as Jesus sits on the right hand of the throne of God the Father, Jesus is hard at work preparing our dwelling places in heaven.  He is hard at work interceding for us with the Father.  He is also hard at work being our advocate.  Jesus was a hard worker.  If we are truly followers of Christ, the same dedication to work and to toil must also mark our lives.  Diligence and industry must also mark our lives as they marked Jesus’ life.

Let us work the works of Him that sent us, while it is day, the night soon comes when no man can work. Happy working!