by Mason Rutledge, President
Jesus-Centered groups are bountiful. Groups like Bible Study Fellowship and Teleios. There are even more Business-Focused groups all over town, i.e. Rotary and Kiwanis.
The two bedrock Brand Promises of a C3 Forum incorporate both veins. Our C3 Forums are decidedly Jesus-Centered and Business-Focused.
If God’s one and only Son was to have a vocation while on earth, you would think that He would be a vocal religious celebrity, a world-influencing regal king, or a well-heeled titan of commerce. God’s Son was none of these. Jesus was a small business owner. He was a sole proprietor, a carpenter.
When the crowds met Jesus, they asked “Is this not the carpenter?” (Mark 6:3). The Greek word, “Tekton” (translated ‘Carpenter’ in the Bible), can mean woodworker, mason, builder, laborer, teacher, or engineer. These were the sort of skilled workers you requested when something needed to be fixed or built. Today’s title may be handyman.
There are no biblical or extra-biblical passages that give us insight into the quality of Jesus craft. Was Jesus was a good carpenter? It isn’t clear, but don’t you think if He wasn’t, someone would have said so. Mark 6:3 would have read, “Is this not that lousy carpenter?”
Jesus certainly worked, and it appears that He was good at His work. Jesus worked diligently as an owner-operator.
From the very beginning, God has called us all to work. The first chapter of the Bible says that we are to “fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion…” (Gen. 1:28). Before sin entered the world, God put us in the Garden of Eden and asked that we “work it and keep it” (Gen. 2:15). Work is a major aspect of God’s original design for humankind.
As a major aspect of God’s call on our life, we include work as a central part of our discussion in a C3 Forum. We operate as if Colossians 3:23-24 is true. “Whatever you do, work heartily… You are serving the Lord Christ.” The truth is that our Business-Focused operation allows us to be more Jesus-Centered.
Psalm 128:2 says, “You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.”
Yes, Jesus was more than a carpenter. In the C3 Forum, part of our Jesus-Centeredness is to remember that He actually was a carpenter.
Questions for Reflection:
- In the beginning of time, God called us to “work the garden” and “keep the garden.” How does your current work help you fulfill that call?
- How does your work allow you to see God alive and active in your own life?
- The practice of Jesus-Centeredness in your day-to-day Business-Focus. How do you do it well?
- Are there places where you need to invite Jesus into your work? Where? How? Who can hold you accountable to this growth? Maybe your C3 Forum.