Week 2: Ministry

Ordinary and Obscure

Most of Jesus's life was ordinary and obscure. He did not start his ministry till around 30 years old. He got up and went to work every day. He washed his hands before dinner and probably cleaned the dishes afterward. We don't know much about this time in his life. I believe there's something to that. It was so ordinary. It’s the hidden side of the Gospel. Not hidden like Jesus has something to hide, but hidden away in routine obscurity. The Son of God engages in life's hidden, small things, just like us.

The author Elyse Fitzpatrick in her book Found in Him, explores this idea. She writes, “Jesus willingly hid himself away in Nazareth for thirty years. Generally ignored, he toiled without complaint, suffering humbly on our behalf. He lived as Jesus the child, big brother, carpenter, and single man providing for his family.”

She points out that through it all, he remained sinless. He goes about his day-to-day tasks in faithfulness to God without griping or complaining. In each of these small tasks, he remains the Son of God. He is the way, the truth, and the life while sweeping sawdust. He is the good shepherd while buying groceries. He is the light of the world in the middle of a sleepless night.

This week, we will explore some of the most amazing stories from Jesus's ministry during his three years in and around Galilee. Yet, today, meditate on the hidden years of Jesus' earthly ministry. We don’t know much about these years, but we know that he lived them all with remarkable character, virtue, and sinlessness so that we might find eternal life with him.

Take these thoughts with you in the hidden parts of your day. In obscure moments, practice the faithfulness of Jesus. Practice the ministry of Jesus by washing the dishes for someone else or offering a kind word to the cashier. Most of Jesus's life was just like yours.