Jesus and our Father Working Hard                                                                                 E - 3

 

Ever had the chance to visit Washington, DC?  The Lincoln Memorial is my favorite, because inscribed on its walls are the simple words of what today we call “The Gettysburg Address”.  These few, simple, stirring, majestic words say so much, yet Lincoln was not even the main speaker that day in Gettysburg.  He was an afterthought, added as a courtesy and placed after what was to be the main speech that day.

Sometimes in the Gospels we likewise read a few words, or a sentence, and the power of the words jump out at us.  For instance, we read in John 5: 17... (NIV)

Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”  

Well, we know that Jesus was a blue-collar tradesman, a carpenter, until he was 30 years old.  He labored hard.  Then as an evangelist, he worked just as hard for three long years.  And we know that in the Creation story in Genesis God is shown as “working” each day, all day, for six days, and pleased with his work. 

But read the quote again!  Our Father is shown as someone always at work, always!  And it’s not just “work”; it is described by Jesus as “His work”, his personal work that he enjoys doing!  And He is doing this work even at this very minute.  What might this work be? 

The “work” Jesus was referring to can be easily found; just look in a mirror!

This is the best news you will hear all day today!  Our Father is still at work, creating in us the person he knows we can be!  Always working, even as you read this!  And pleased with his work!  

 

1) Many people think that God worked six days to create the universe, then rested.  But the above passage tells us that Father God is still working.  Is this the same kind of “creation” work?  What kind of work do you think it is? 

2) Why is this?  

3) How hard must the father be working? 

4) Do you think the Father enjoys His work? 

5) How about Jesus working with us?  Do you think Jesus enjoys that? 

6) How about Jesus working with you?  Do you think Jesus enjoys that?  In your opinion, where would Jesus start with you? 

7) Our Father enjoyed His creation work and declared it “good”.  As Jesus heals us, can you hear Him declaring His work “good” also?  

8) Why did Jesus say the words about Himself, telling us He also was working? 

9) Could our Father’s work, and the work of Jesus, impact you in a special way, today?   

 You are worth their time and effort!!!