Before his death and resurrection, Jesus was a rabbi. I know that many Christians credit Him with being a carpenter by trade but there are no examples of Him acting in that capacity found anywhere in scripture. None, zero, zilch. We base our assumption of His being a carpenter on the idea that Joseph was a carpenter but even this isn't technically true. A more accurate translation of the word used for carpenter in Matthew 13:55 makes Joseph a stone mason instead. But the Bible never clearly states that Jesus carried on Joseph's trade. In fact it insinuates that He became a rabbi.
How does the Bible insinuate this? Several ways really. The language He used when calling His disciples, the way that even those who didn't like Him wanted Him to come to their home for a meal, and the age at which He began His public ministry are just a few ways. But perhaps the most blatant example is that Jesus is called "rabbi" or "teacher" (the Hebrew word "rabbi" literally translates to the English word "teacher"), 55 times in the gospels. What most striking is that He is called "rabbi" by even the Pharisees who didn't use titles like this loosely. At one point we see Jesus being referred to as "Rabboni" which has even greater implications that I won't go into. To me it seems pretty clear that Jesus was a Rabbi rather than a carpenter or stone mason. That isn't to say that He didn't know a thing or two about what Joseph did, I'm absolutely sue He did. But I think it is clear that His primary "occupation" was as a Rabbi.
Now, if Jesus was a rabbi we have to assume that He had to take certain steps to become a rabbi. The Jews were not in the habit of simply handing out a title like that all willy-nilly like. So what did Jesus have to do to obtain this title that was essential for the type of ministry He would be doing? Well in the first century, He would have gone through three phases of Jewish education, Bet Sefer, Bet Talmud and Bet Midrash. During this educational process, Jesus would have memorized the entire Old Testament, (Genesis through Malachi), studied what various other rabbis and religious leaders had taught about these books, and even would have done about a 15 year apprenticeship or internship under another rabbi. (For a more complete explanation of a first century Jewish education, read "Velvet Elvis" by Rob Bell, a book that completely changed my view of ministry, Christianity, study, and the Church.) When he completed all of this, Jesus would have been ready to begin His own public ministry at about the age of 30. (hmmmm coincidence?) You see, Jesus had to work hard before He earned the right to teach us and eventually lay down His life for us. Jesus had to put in a lot of effort to get where He was called to go.
We are no different. God has called each of us to a certain life. Some people are called to serve in a hands-on capacity like Joseph who although he was a "blue-collar worker" had a huge role in shaping the person Jesus would become. Other people are called to be more detail and administration oriented like Luke, the physician who penned more words in the New Testament than any other Biblical author. Still other people are called to a life devoted to the Word of God and the service of His people like Jesus, who showed what real leadership is when He washed the feet of those who were His supposed subordinates. Each of us has a life that we are called to live just like Jesus had a life He was called to live. And like Him, we must be willing to do what it takes to get there.
The vast majority of Jesus' life was spent in education. About 23 of His 33 years, (about 70%), were spent preparing to become a rabbi so He could effectively live the life He was called to live in that place at that time. What does that mean for us? It means that we too, must be willing to put in whatever work and effort it takes to get to he place that God is calling us to go to in this place at this time. The bible tells us that many are called but few are chosen. Why are few chosen? Because few are willing to do the work that their calling requires of them. We somehow believe that we are entitled to a position based on our calling and natural abilities and gifts alone. But if it didn't work like that for Jesus then why would it work like that for us? Even the Apostles spent three years apprenticing under Jesus. Why should we be any different?
Getting to where God wants you to go is difficult. It takes hard work, effort, tears, sweat, turmoil, stress, and even some doubt. Probably because when you finally do all that work and put in all that time and effort to get where God is calling you, you'll find the same hard work, tears, and sweat waiting for you. But it'll also be the best, most abundant and rewarding life you can live. A life where you see prayers answered regularly and miracles take place that most people can't see. Going in the direction God wants you to go and being in the place God wants you to be will never make life easier, but it will always make life better.
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