Issue 093
Sometimes it’s easy to spot a Christian: a fish badge, a bible. Perhaps we’re known for what we don’t do – swearing, smoking, drinking heavily, having an affair. Then we can get a reputation for meetings: arranging a Christian Union or putting on an event….. and there’s nothing wrong with any of these hallmarks. Better to be known than anonymous; preferable to be overt than secret. But there is another aspect of demonstrating Christ in the workplace: it has to do with surprise – not necessarily a sudden surprise butrather a growing realisation that dawns on others, that something mysterious motivates you; something enigmatic gives you energy and drive. It’s then that your colleague encounters the risen Christ. Even you can get a surprise – I’ll show you what I mean:
There’s a puzzling aspect of the story of Christ’s return from the grave which goes largely unexplained. The fact is that even those who knew him extremely well had great trouble recognizing him. In some cases it was because they had forgotten what he had said predicting and promising his resurrection, not unlike us going to work with amnesia in relation to all his promises to be with us, provide for us and give us his words to say.
Undoubtedly they were in a state of shock. Their sadness and exhaustion blinded them to his presence. Sound familiar? – too busy, too stressed and just plain exhausted to notice that he is alive at your workplace?
Certainly, they didn’t expect him to be there. A while ago I spoke at a church which included some employees from GCHQ and assured them that God knew about their work. Their horror was obvious as they contemplated the awful possibility of a leak! Often we just don’t expect to see him at work, but there’s another reason, and it’s only recently dawned on me…..
Here’s my last observation. When Thomas met the risen Lord he was invited to look at and touch the scars: hands, ankles and side all bearing the marks of death. But if they were still there, what about the facial scars, the wounds from the thorns and the bruises from the beatings? Was his face still battered and, in the words of Isaiah, unrecognizable as human? It’s speculation, but one thing is for sure: he took them by surprise. He was a lot more rugged, damaged, beaten and raw than they expected. It’s this tough battle-scarred Christ that can slowly surprise your colleagues at work. Gradually they realize that he’s not the gentle Jesus meek and mild of their childhood or stained glass images. He can cut the ice and close the deal. He is a force to be reckoned with.
This tough Saviour has done his work; still he turns up at ours. Then when he speaks people take note. My prayer is that I can communicate, not only the gentle compassionate Christ at work, but also the brutish ugly truth that his scars represent. You never know exactly when that Christ will enter the room.
John 20:24-31
24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” 26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Isaiah 52:13-15
13 See, my servant will act wisely ;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him-
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness-
15 so will he sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.
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Work well
Geoff Shattock
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