…But Jesus said, “My Father has never stopped working, and this is why I keep on working.”
John 5:17 BSB
The words of Jesus in this verse ring through my mind often, leaving me asking myself the question, am I at work? I have a great tendency to procrastinate especially on important matters, so this question is very important to me as it helps me maintain focus on the task that Jesus left for me to do. I also have a great tendency to do work that is not mine because I tend to think that maybe the task is not being done to my standards. It helps greatly to keep in mind what Jesus laid down as the Father’s work, His work, the work of The Holy Spirit and Our work especially with regards to eternal Salvation.
The Father’s Work
Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus replied. “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:43
Jesus was in essence telling the Jews to take a chill pill. I believe He is telling us the same, that we need to stop worrying about this part of the work and stop with the gimmicks and grumbling about how men are refusing to be drawn to Him. Our Father will deliver on this, He will draw men and they will come to Jesus!
Jesus’ Work
Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day. For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
John 6:37-40 BSB
We need to take a huge chill pill on this one too and quit needlessly fretting because Jesus is very clear on His job description; He will save today and raise up at the last day. Jesus will deliver on his job description beyond the shadow of a doubt.
The Holy Spirit’s Work
But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.
John 16:7-11 BSB
I am dispensing an overdose of the chill pill on this one. This is one job description that I find as Christians we unabashedly make forays into and not only become frustrated and discouraged but leave casualties on the road to heaven. No one can do it like The Holy Spirit does and He will deliver on this like no man can!
Our Work
Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He left his disciples a very clear job description on what they/we were to do after his departure. He put it this way.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 BSB
Here I have to dispense an antidote for the chill pill, and hopefully, it will give us a sense of greater urgency than ever before in carrying out our job description. My prayer for us all is that we would be at work, just as Jesus and the Father are. He could spread the good news and make disciples without us, but He chooses to do it with us and through us.
We have His assurance that His word works wonders. All we need to do is to deliver it.
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.
Isaiah 55:10-11 BSB
I started by asking the question, Are you at work? I want to finish off by asking, will you deliver? Here are some great resources to teach you how to keep the gospel message simple and focused.
Wow, I love this post because it makes me think of my role more like a job. When at work as a nurse I remember what my scope of practice is and when someone asks me to go outside that scope, I know that I could get in trouble and if it’s serious enough, I could lose my nursing license. When you look at The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’s jobs/roles it helps me to see that at times I want to do things out of my scope of practice as a believer. Thanks for this insight Catherine. It is so valuable to be reminded what my job/role is so that I can stay within those parameters.
Catherine, Thank you for this challenge to be at work. I think the challenge for me is to properly prioritize different types of work. I am always at some sort of work, but rarely slow down enough for the most important work of sharing grace and discipling others, even my kids, I tend to focus on the more tangible achievements each day, but I really want to be focused on the eternal. Thanks!