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In the world today there are so many directions one can go when choosing a career path. There are even tests that can be taken that match characteristics and types of people to occupations that would suit them. Are you an extravert or introvert? Do you work well independently or prefer to work with others? One’s values and beliefs go a long way in understanding what careers they will thrive in. When looking at the life of Jesus and what occupations he would have, the book of Matthew gives great evidence.
It is written in Matthew 5:15-16 (New Revised Standard Version) that one must shine our light for all instead of just for selfish needs.
Matthew 5:43-48 is clear about how one should love their neighbor and enemies equally. Parables such as in Matthew 8:1-4, and Matthew 9:20-22 show examples of his character as someone who crosses political lines in order to serve all people equally. Along with other verses in Matthew, support will show that Jesus loved all, served all, and took a stand for all people.
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This paper will prove the thesis by examining supporting scriptures in Matthew through literary, historical, and contemporary worldviews. It will also use support from Kraybills Upside Down Kingdom, New Testament letters to churches, and the service project essay. These resources will show the characteristics of Jesus during his time on earth and support the profession that would fit him today.
When considering future occupations, Jesus would impact the world today as a special education teacher.
Jesus stood for all people Jesus taught us to stand up for all people. He commanded us to be a light for everyone to see. He did not hide behind those that do the right thing, or stay in the shadows of the people that stood bold. It is written in Matthew 5:15-16 (New Revised Standard Version) “No one after lighting a lamp puts it under a bushel basket, but on the lampstand and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. ”In these verses, Jesus is commanding us to let our light shine for all to see. Jesus is in the mists of preaching his sermon on the mount. He has taken his position up the mountain so the crowds could all see him. He begins by stating the beatitudes, the blessings that will be given to those that believe and follow his commands.
Matthew 5:12 says to rejoice and be glad for the reward in heaven will be great. Matthew 5:13 gives an example of salt losing its taste and becoming nothing, worthy of being thrown out and trampled on. Salt without the element that gives it its taste is worth nothing. These prior verses lead to verse 15. Jesus states in verse 15 that we are the light of the world. He explains that a city on a hill can always be seen, and no one lights a lamp and hides it, they put it on a stand so that it gives light to a big area. Matthew 5:16 is clear that one must shine for all people so that we are a witness to Gods love. There are certain details one must know in order to understand this verse. “Genuine salt can leach away from impure salt, leaving only a tasteless residue”.
It is also important to know that the light Jesus refers to is the way one lets the love of God shine through them. Jesus is telling the people they are supposed to be a living example of Jesus and shine their light for all people. This is still Jesus’ instructions for Christians today. Christians are to show the love of God through their actions and let the light of the Lord within in them shine for all people. Special education teachers must do the same. These teachers stand for the children that no one else stands for. The child in the wheelchair fully dependent on the care of others that cannot speak for their self, a special education teacher will speak for them. The child with autism that is in the cafeteria yelling and flapping his arms, is greeted and loved by a special education teacher. Jesus called his Christians to stand for all people even across cultural boundaries. This too is shared with the characteristics of a special education teacher. In John 4:7-10, Jesus speaks to a Samaritan woman in public. In the time of the Bible this was not done. It is written, “A Samaritan woman came to draw water ad Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink. ”The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?”Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water. ”(John 4:7-10). Jesus crossed cultural boundaries by speaking to the woman.
Another example is Matthew 9:10. “And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. ”In the verses to follow, it is very clear that the Pharisees were confused and not happy with the choices of Jesus to eat with these men. The Pharisees questioned the disciples regarding this decision. Jesus hears this and answers in Matthew 9:12-13 “… those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy not sacrifice’. For I have come to call not the righteous but the sinners. ”In these two examples, Jesus goes beyond what the norm is and crosses boundaries in order to stand for those that need him most. In the world today, Christians are commanded by Jesus to do the same. Kraybill (2011) explains that social interactions are not to be ignored but gently worked around in order for all to benefit from Gods love. People often find like people, however, Jesus wants us to find the balance and welcome all, “regardless of their feathers” (p. 217).
When debating on occupations that Jesus may have today, the characteristics and strategies align with that of a special education teacher. Special education teachers must cross cultural and social boundaries as well. They must truly listen and approach each situation differently. This entails the interactions with the children as far as teaching and interactions with parents as far as discussing their children. Special education teachers stand for those that society considers less than, like the woman Jesus spoke to, or the sinners and tax payers he shared a meal with. When considering future occupations, Jesus would be a special education teacher because during biblical times he stood for all people, especially those that others shied away from. He took a stand for all by being a light and crossing boundaries. Today, Jesus commands his people to be alight for him. Christians must be a walking example of his love for all people. Jesus also commands his people to cross cultural and social boundaries for those that others do not. Jesus would be a special education teacher.
Jesus led with love Jesus commands his people to love. He wants Christians to love their neighbor and their enemies. He challenges his people to love not only their own people but also those that are different. Kraybill (2011) gives us the characteristics of agape love. Agape love is the greatest of all love. Agape love is indiscriminate, bold, inconvenient, and risky, takes time, is expensive, and jeopardizes social status. It is the greatest love but it is the most courageous also (p. 174-175). Agape live it what Christians should strive for in all relationships. Matthew 5:43-48 gives instructions by Jesus on how Christians are to treat those around them. It is written in verse 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ”Yet Coogan, Brettler, Newsom, and Perkins (2010) states, “”hate your enemy” is not found in the Hebrew Bible” (p. 1754). The scripture goes on to explain how Christians should truly act toward all people. Jesus expects his people to love their enemies and pray for them as well. Prayer is one of the greatest forms of love. It gives a depth of sincere caring for another. One can simply do good deeds for someone; however, praying for them takes full desire for their wellbeing. Verse 45 explains that Jesus gives sun and rain to both the good and evil. The sun and rain are two essential elements for growth. A human, animal, even a plant must have both sun and water to thrive. A human must have sun and rain to grow food for survival. This verse makes clear that Jesus loves both the righteous and unrighteous and gives them both the essentials to survive, and not one more than the other.
Verses 46 and 47, question the weight of loving only those people who love in return, or only greeting ones brother or sister. Jesus states that even the affirmed sinners and Gentiles do this. Christians must be better. Matthew 5:48 commands “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. ” This scripture stands true today. Jesus led with love and he commands all of his people to do the same.
In the world today, one must love those who are hard to love. Christians must reach out to others even if they are not kind and generous. There are people in the world that are difficult to love. The verses prior tell Christians to turn the other cheek. There are people in the world that are cruel. Whether they choose to be that way or are so because of their circumstances, they are still hard to love. There are special needs children that are hard to love. These children are violent and misunderstood. They have frustrations of communication barriers, and inabilities due to disabilities that make it hard for them to behave as a normal person would. Special education teachers must see through hate and hostility and genuinely love this population. Special education teachers choose to love and care for those that are different. They step out of their comfort zone to love and encourage children that most would not. Jesus says love without reservation, and a special education teacher does just that. With love comes compassion, forgiveness, and unity. Jesus was an example of all of these characteristics. He gave these qualities generously to others so his people in turn could willingly give them their selves. In the BIB 314 Letters to New Testament Churches worksheet it is clear that these characteristics were instructed to all. Paul wrote a letter to the Christians community, to the Ephesians stating the role of the church in this letter is to lead a life of humility, gentleness, patience, and love. They were to maintain unity in the Spirit. God had already created the unity, now the church must keep it. The church must not live as the Gentiles live with ignorance and a hard heart (Ephesians 4:17-18). These words from Paul still stand true today. Christians are to give to others and maintain the unity between themselves and God.
Jesus lived this way during his time here on earth. While he walked through the cities and preached the gospel Matthew, 9:36 tells us that he had compassion for the people in the crowds. He knew they had been tormented and they did not stand a chance without a leader. In Matthew 14 after witnessing King Herod, behead John the Baptist Jesus departed to be by himself. When he realized the crowds had followed he had compassion for them. It is very clear in Matthew 18:22. Paul asks Jesus how many times he should be willing to forgive. Jesus’ answer “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. ”Jesus commands his people to love with compassion, with forgiveness, and with unity. Special education teachers must portray all of these characteristics in order to be successful teachers. A teacher must love all students for their unique abilities. She must be able to forgive bad behaviors and bad choices, and unify the children in their abilities in order for them to grow. Christians must take these examples of the characteristics of Jesus and apply them to their own lives. Jesus would use all of these characteristics as a special education teacher. Jesus called his people to serve Jesus’ life on earth revolved around serving the people. Fellowship is an expression of love.
Fellowship is sharing with others and the greatest thing one can share is themselves. Christians are to serve others by sharing their time, energy, and talents, all of which were given by God. Special education teachers give an abundance of time, energy and their talents to make sure every child regardless of disabilities has a chance to learn. Jesus’ main focus while here on earth was to serve others. It is stated clearly in Matthew 20:28 “Just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many. ”In the verses prior, a mother wanted reassurance from Jesus that her sons would sit on the sides of God in heaven. It was said that the guarantee was not so, that the greatest among them would be the servant Matthew 20:26. During Hays’ service project (2018) there was time, energy, and talents shared.
Coaching a football team consisting of twenty plus five and six year old boys was no small task. Many of the families were low income and the struggle of shuffling kids and dinners was a hard task. The fact that an extracurricular football team was a priority for them for their children was enough for Hays to give of her time and effort. Hays struggled to keep up with the team and the demands from the parents, yet the result was one of the upmost importance. The children on the team grew in their time at practice. They were taught resect, and humility. They were taught how to win and lose. Dealing with the parents was extremely difficult and became the hardest hurdle to jump. However, understanding the love the parents had for their children and the fact that they were well-intentioned, allowed Hays to push through. Hays had compassion for the families. Just as Jesus did here on earth, and made clear that Christians are to do on earth today, Hays served those around her. She served in capacity that was not comfortable and with birds of a different feather. Special education teachers must serve in this same capacity, without comfort but for the good of the children. Jesus served the less fortunate. He helped those that could not help themselves. He chose the sick, the poor, and the sinners. Jesus served those who others shunned. Kraybills Upside Down Kingdom is based on the idea that the Kingdom of God is upside down, from what society believes it to be.
The lower on the ladder is actually higher in heaven. When it comes to serving, Jesus says we are to serve those at the bottom. Kraybill (2011) explains that Jesus wants u to serve those cannot repay our service. In Kraybill (2011), it states that we are not to worry about tarnishing our reputation or being judged by others (p. 230). Jesus backs this by leading by example in the parables of Matthew. In the parable Matthew 9:20-22 Jesus healed a woman that was proclaimed dirty and unclean. She had been bleeding for twelve years yet her faith continued. She heard of Jesus coming and knew that if was able to at least touch his cloak she could be healed. Jesus healed the woman with one touch of his cloak. He healed a woman that all others had shunned. In Matthew 15:21-28, Jesus healed a demon-possessed child that everyone said to turn away from, because of the faith of the mother. Jesus did not turn away from the child. He stood up for the child that no one else would. Again, in Matthew 8:1-4 Jesus healed a man with leprosy. In biblical times, those with leprosy were shunned and casts out. No one would touch them for fear of catching the disease. Jesus however, reached out his hand and touched the man proclaiming him healed. Special education teachers are people who chose to work with children that others may find scary, unclean, or unworthy. They see the good in these children when others are too afraid to try.
There are many occupations to choose from in the world today. Many people attempt to find a job that matches their personality, extenuates their strengths, and falls within their comfort zone. These issues are important, however, Jesus would not consider these as top aspects of the perfect job. Jesus would impact the world today as a special education teacher. Jesus’ time on earth was spent loving, teaching, and serving others. According to Matthew, he gave his time, energy, and talents performing the works of God. These works and efforts were done in the name of God and to show others Gods’ love and forgiveness. These characteristics talked about within this paper are extremely important for all Christians to base their life on. Jesus wants his people to choose a career path where they will be able to let their light shine bright for all people. Jesus wants his people to choose a career where they can show love to those that do not receive it. He commands Christians to love our neighbor and our enemies. He wants the love, forgiveness, compassion, and unity of God to shine through us. Jesus wants his people to find a career where service to others is of the upmost importance. He wants Christians to live a life of service to all people but especially to those that others turn away. When considering future occupations, Jesus would choose to be a special education teacher.
What Occupations Jesus May Have Today. (2024, Feb 28). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/what-occupations-jesus-may-have-today-essay
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