02.05. The Great Work of Life

05. The Great Work of Life Our Lord’s life on earth was the great pattern life. Even in the days of His childhood, He worked for His heavenly Father. Those early years were spent with His earthly Parents principally at Nazareth. Picture to yourself a Child, much like other children, year by year growing in wisdom and in stature; strictly following the wishes of Joseph and Mary; working at their trade, as ’the Carpenter’s Son’ — a sinless Child, a pattern of holiness, and perfectly pure in heart and life. At the age of twelve, His Parents took Him with them, to attend the great Feast of the Passover, according to the custom of the Jews. It was usual on those occasions for several families to join together for safety, and to travel in company. Those Passover days must have been happy and solemn seasons; for there was much in them to remind the people of God of His past goodness to them, and of mercies yet to come. The Feast being ended, the different companies gather together, and leave the city with their faces turned again towards their respective homes. The little party from Nazareth is among the rest. But Jesus is not with them. So great, however, was the "crowd, that it was not until the close of the first day’s journey, that His Parents discovered that He was missing; for they supposed all the while that He was in the company, among their kinsfolk and acquaintances. As soon as they found it out, they hastened back to Jerusalem with the greatest concern. And there, in the midst of the Temple, to their surprise they beheld Him surrounded by a group of learned men called Doctors, or Teachers of the Law. There He was, with these venerable Elders hanging upon His lips, and hearing from Him such words as no child had ever uttered before. His Mother at once addresses Him in language of affectionate remonstrance, ’Son, why have you thus dealt with us? Behold, your father and I have sought You sorrowing.’ As much as to say, ’You have never before caused us a single pang. The hearts of other parents have been sometime grieved — but our hearts never experienced a moment’s sorrow on Your account. What has called You away from us now?’ This question drew forth those remarkable words, ’Why is it that you sought Me? Do you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?’

Then in the eye of Jesus, there is a higher work than that which concerns this world. There is a Father in Heaven, a Master above, who has a stronger claim upon us even than our earthly father, or our earthly master.

How much we may learn from this heavenly Child! We know not what were the words He spoke to those aged Jewish doctors; but these few simple words addressed to His Parents contain a most instructive sermon in themselves. May we listen to it, and may it have a resting-place in our hearts!

Truly we have each of us some great work to do for God. What is it? Did you ever watch a swarm of bees on a warm summer’s day? All the members of that busy throng are employing themselves. Some may be seen flying quickly through the air, in search of flowers from which to gather their harvest. Others are seen returning homewards with a goodly store of gathered honey. They enter the crowded hive, and deposit their burden; but there is no confusion. Others, again, may be seen building up the little cells, each one beautifully shaped according to the truest rule. And a few are posted near the entrance, fanning the air with their wings, for the sake of those within, who would otherwise be exhausted with their labor.

Here is a picture of God’s Church, or Family on earth. He would have us all to be workers, busy in His service, laboring for Him, employed in the great work of His kingdom.

Why are we sent here? Is it to be idlers? Is it to do our own work, and to follow our own ways? Is it to labor only for the food which perishes, to toil here for a few years for this world’s pay, and then to pass away, and be forgotten?

No, we have a nobler calling, a better portion than this. We must not leave the work of this world undone. The laborer, the tradesman, the farmer, all of us have our earthly duties to discharge. ’If a man will not work — then neither let him eat.’ It would indeed be a mistake, if the laborer were to leave the plough, because God had called him into His service; or if the tradesman were to neglect his customers, on the plea that his soul must be cared for; or if the farmer were to let the weeds grow in his fields, and his fallows remain unsown, because he has a God to serve, and a soul to be saved.

Thank God, He is no such hard Master! Instead of this, He bids us to labor, and makes our very labor a means by which we may truly serve Him. We need not go out of the world to do His work. We shall serve Him most effectually if we carry our Christianity into the every-day occupations of life. How many there are in the world, who are always wishing to be useful — always intending to do something for God — often dreaming what they might do, if they were in such and such circumstances. And yet, if they would but begin by doing something that is close to their hands, it would indeed be well. There is work enough before us, without looking elsewhere. Are we Parents? We shall be doing God’s work, if we train up our children for Him. Are we Masters? We shall be serving God, if for His sake we are kind and considerate, and watchful over those who are placed under our care by Him. Are we servants? Is labor our calling? God will accept our work, if we do it cheerfully and faithfully as unto the Lord, and not to man. But over and above our earthly work, there is a special work to do for God; or rather I would say, while doing the lower work of earth — there is a higher, a nobler, a far greater work to be done for the Lord. He can employ us, if we have only the heart to be employed.

What shall we say then of those who spend their life in idleness, seeking their own pleasure, and wasting their precious moments on themselves; or of those who are busy and active, but it is about their own gain, or their own advancement in the world? They may be harmless and inoffensive in their lives, and the world may pronounce them to be useful persons; but both the one and the other are in God’s sight mere cumberers of the ground.

Now, WHAT is the work He would have us to do? The work of a Minister is plain enough — to preach the glad tidings of salvation — to explain to men God’s Word and will — to care for souls, and to labor if by any means he may win them to Christ. This is the solemn work which is laid upon them. And truly if men should wish to draw them aside from it, they might well answer in the words of Nehemiah, ’I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease, while I leave it?’ But all are not Ministers. And yet God has just as special a work for you to do in the world as for them. The Church of Christ is like that bee hive. And if we really belong to it, there is an important task for each of us, and we shall certainly be doing it. The lowest and the least has a place allotted to him by the Lord — and happy for him if he is earnestly filling it. For example, one may go and stand by the bedside of some afflicted neighbor, and speak to him comforting words of tenderness and truth. In so doing you will be showing your love to Him who said, ’I was sick, and you visited me.’ This is a Christian work, and a work which more would gladly engage in, if their hearts glowed with the love of souls. ’Pure and undefiled religion is this, to visit the widows and fatherless in their affliction, and keep himself unspotted from the world.’

Another may feel able to speak boldly for Christ, wherever he goes. He will not speak rashly — so as to bring religion into contempt, or proudly — as if he were better and wiser than others. But he will speak humbly, under a deeper sense of his own unworthiness. And thus he will try, as far as in him lies, to win men into Christ’s service. A third may not be able to say much. He may often long to speak; but his courage fails him. He has often prayed perhaps that he may be able; but the power is withheld. Still he may be useful, very useful, even more useful perhaps than one who has a readier tongue. He may speak by his life! He may draw others into the fold by his holy and consistent conduct!

What shall I say more? There are a thousand ways by which we may be doing God’s work, and furthering His cause in the world. The person who teaches a little group of Sunday-school children, from love to the Savior — the person who counts it no trouble to go around a parish, to collect funds for sending the Gospel to the heathen — even the poor sufferer who is cut off from fellowship with the world, but who, as he lies upon his sick bed, prays earnestly and constantly for his brethren, that the Gospel may reach their hearts — these, and many more, are really doing God’s work, and are fulfilling the task to which He has called them.

Surely God gives to all some opportunity of being useful. He may give to some but one talent, and to others ten. But He looks as graciously on him who has the one, if he employs that one rightly, as He does on him who has the ten. Yes, there are none among us, none so poor, none so young, none so unlearned, none so occupied, but that they may do something for their heavenly Master, and for His people. Is there any Drunkard whom you have anything to do with? Try and stop him in his downward course. Don’t say, It is not my work. It is your work, if God gives you the opportunity. And though you may fail, as we often do, still He will accept your endeavor. Is there any one of your acquaintance thoughtless and careless? Beware lest you encourage that person in sin, by your silence, when you might say something to him, which by God’s blessing would do him good. Is any one a neglecter of God’s house? Use every effort to bring him with you into your Savior’s presence. He may be blessed there, and you may save his soul.

I feel sure that each one of us has some influence over his brother. Depend upon it, we never come into a person’s company — but we either do him good, or we do him harm. We may not perceive it at the time. The effect may be very small. So is the effect of a drop of rain, or a flake of snow, or a gleam of sunshine on the corn; but many such drops, and flakes, and gleams, have a wondrous influence on the coming harvest.

Just reflect how very different is the influence which two men may have in their ordinary course through life.

One perhaps is a hard man of the world. He attends regularly to his business. He is up early. He never idles. There is no loitering along the way. His mind is set on gain; and therefore, if anything crosses his plans, it frets and irritates him. Every now and then a word will fall from his lips, which but too plainly shows that God is not in all his thoughts. If he goes into company, his remarks are rather against religion than for it. If anything is going on in his parish for the good of souls, or for the glory of God, he either opposes it, or passes it by in silence.

Think you, that such a man’s influence can do no harm? It must do harm. We feel that it has done us harm, when we have been thrown in with one of this stamp. But how different is the course of another person who carries into daily life the character and bearing of a Christian. His mind is calm and peaceful; and scarcely anything ruffles it. He has a kind word for everyone. He is ready for every good work. If it be a right thing, he will at once lend a hand in forwarding it. He is not content to leave it to others, or to consider how he may avoid it with decency, but he is thankful to take part in it himself. If God has set him in a place of authority, he is anxious to promote the welfare, both bodily and spiritual, of those who are under him. If he is in a lower station, he will remember that he has an earthly — and a heavenly, Master; and while he does the work of the one, he will not leave the work of the other undone. If he happens to be thrown among strangers, he will feel that the eye of his God is upon him; and, like a true-hearted soldier, he will not be ashamed to show his colors. Wherever he is, and whatever he is doing, he will not forget his ’Father’s business."

What a vast difference between the two — the one constantly grieving his heavenly Father, and doing some little amount of harm to his fellow-men; the other scattering blessings wherever he goes. The one living most effectually to God; the other living without Him in the world. Which will you be? May God give you grace to live, and act, and speak for Him, so long as life is spared to you! And now, in bringing this subject to a close, I will once more call your attention to the words which I alluded to at the beginning of the chapter. Our Lord calls that higher work of which we have been speaking, His Father’s business, "Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?"

Now, it was not the great work of atonement that Jesus spoke of here. Neither was it the work of His ministry. For He did not come forth into public until eighteen years after this. But he speaks of Himself as a Son and Servant of God. And He felt that the work of God was His work, and that the great business before His mind was His "Father’s business."

Let this same feeling be ever in our minds. And while many are putting earth’s business above the calls of God — while they are saying in their hearts, "Worldly business — be my God! I devote myself to you!" — let us remember that we have a great and glorious work to do for our Father in Heaven, and let us be ever ready to do it. The ability will be given us, and the power too, if we entreat God to bestow it upon us. Yes, and life will be sweetened by the thought that we are doing something for Him, who has done so much for us. It is my heavenly Father, to whom I am indebted for all I am, and all I have. I live under His daily care. My soul is in His hourly keeping. I walk with Him day by day. I hope to dwell with Him forever. Oh, do not wonder that I desire to do His will and be pleasing unto Him. "Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?"

You and I shall soon be laid down upon our death-beds. And as we look back on the long past, we shall probably feel that there is much (oh, how much!) that we have done amiss. Many sins we shall then remember — which need a Savior’s blood to purge. But this is not all. Shall we not also feel that there is much that we have left undone — that we might have been more useful in our day — that we have neglected many golden opportunities? How very few of us will be able to say, ’I have finished the work which You gave me to do! I have labored for You; I have spoken for You; I have acted for You; I have lived for You!’

We came into the world to do — not to dream. Let us then arouse ourselves. Let us be workmen for Christ. There is a great work to be done for Him in the world, and but very few to do it. Let us be among those few. And then too we have but a little while to work in. Our days are getting shorter and shorter. The night will soon come when no more work can be done.

Now, our Father is saying to us,’ Son, work today in my vineyard.’ Soon He will say, ’Son, give an account of your stewardship, for you may be no longer steward — your work-day has closed forever!’

Years ago, when you came into the world, God sent you on a special errand — and that errand was to glorify Him. To this end you were born, and for this cause you came into the world. Now, how have you fulfilled the end for which He sent you? Perhaps not at all. You may have prospered. Your life may have been one great success. But one day You will perhaps discover that you have altogether missed the end for which God destined you. And oh, what a bitter pang will it be to find that you have lived altogether in vain! But I trust that this may not be the case with you. May you be one of those whose earnest desire it is to serve Christ, and humbly to do the work to which He has called you.