Saturday, November 19, 2011

Your First Job


Do you remember your first job?  How much did you get paid?  How old were you?  The first job that I remember was when I was 8 or 9 years old.  I did not get paid anything.  My dad had broken his leg the year before and it was not healing.  They were going to try one last option, a “bone graft”; if that failed, they were considering amputation.  He had to go to Grand Rapids for the surgery, about forty miles away.  My mom did not drive, so friends and family drove her to the hospital.  My sister, Sharon, and myself stayed home and took care of the chickens.  We had a couple thousand.  That was a lot, back then.  There were no automatic feeders back then.  Sharon would fill the pails with feed and I would carry them to the chicken feeders.  The pails were about the size of a 5 gallon pail, but made of metal.  I could carry two at a time and because the sooner we got done, the sooner we could play,  we would run the pails back and forth.  I never thought it was a job; but, by today’s standard it would qualify for an episode on “Dirty Jobs”.  My first paying job was loading hay bails when I was about 14.  I got paid 50 cents an hour. 
Why do I mention this?  Do you know what the disciples first job, as disciples was? We are told to be disciples of Christ, so I think we should find out what it involved?   It was to go to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.  They were sent first to the Jewish people.  They were told to avoid the Gentiles, that’s most of you reading this blog.  It was not until after Jesus’ resurrection that the gospel was preached to the Gentiles
What was their task?
“go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. 9Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 11And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 12And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
What was their work environment like?
“I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 17But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 21And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake:”
Sound like something from “Dirty Jobs”?
What was the pay?
“he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Job description for disciple:
No experience needed.  Lots of travel required.  Must be able to walk long distances.  No travel allowance!   Will be exposed to non-curable infectious diseases and work with demonic individuals. Will be required to heal sick, perform exorcisms and raise the dead. Guaranteed to be unappreciated, harassed, falsely accused, and arrested.  No pay if you quit before the job is done.  Pay will be distributed posthumously.
Where can I sign up?

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