Issue 296
We continue our series on Words that need redefining
In the last of our short series on words that need redefining it iss time to use a summary word to gather our thoughts. The recurring theme in this series has been that there are far fewer distinctions between those in what we call ‘full-time ministry’ and the rest of us. We have looked at issues around the words ‘ordination’,’ priest’,’ saint’ and argued that, in a sense, we are all ordained priests and saints.
The key point is that since the work done by Jesus of Nazareth, we are all transformed into such people: no longer do we go to the temple – we are the temple; no longer do we offer sacrifices – we are the sacrifices, and so there is no distinction between a priest and the rest of us; we are all part of the priesthood now. .
This has profound implications for the way in which you see your work, your calling and your life. There is an integration of function implicit in this thinking which should release you to enjoy a spiritual expression of yourself through your daily work.
But we had better watch out for the danger of replacing unhealthy elitism with unthinking egalitarianism. Your identity as a Christian at work is describable using the language of priest, sacrifice, calling and saint. But you still need to fulfill your calling, lay down your life, act as a priest and behave as a saint.
Maybe this is what Luke the doctor was meaning when he tells us that Jesus was thirty years old when he began his ministry. Surely in our way of thinking he was a minister when he was a carpenter – the function was always there.
We can be sure that Jesus had been about his Father’s business – doing everything as to the Lord. We can also be sure that there was no split in his mind between sacred and secular, so in what sense did he start his ministry?
Clearly things changed. He was empowered and recognised by the Spirit of God in a way he had not been before. He went public, showing his hand as a teacher, preacher, miracle worker and Rabbi. He left his home and his family and travelled widely, and the whole focus of his activity changed. Luke identifies this as Jesus starting his ministry. For Him this meant a radical change and shift; for others it did not. Zacchaeus, for example, stayed where he was but the shift was in the way he worked. For the majority of Jesus’ followers, they were called to ministry staying exactly where they were, but, as with Jesus, there was a gear change. The Spirit of God was moving more powerfully, encouraging them to show their hands and go public with their messages of hope. Some, like Jesus, paid for this with their lives – others did not.
Ministry, therefore, either means staying or moving but it always involves gear changes. Up to this time Jesus was doing the right things;then He entered a new phase. In this sense we would have to say that Jesus’ private ministry – of serving God as a carpenter, became a public ministry of serving God as a teacher. In this sense we agree with Luke that a ministry started.
But please remember when trying to get your head around all of this, that throughout His career He was serving His Father. In the end for all the gear changes, miracles and public amazement, Jesus returned to His roots – for His career climaxed as it had begun. In the end He was always working with wood and nails.
Luke 3:23
23 Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry.
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Geoff Shattock
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