February 2, 2004

THE CARPENTER

"Is not this the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?" (Mark 6:3, NKJV).

The title, "carpenter," is another reminder of divinity identifying with humanity. By becoming a humble carpenter, Christ identified with the working man.

As part of His identification with humanity, Christ followed the course of many a Jewish boy in his Nazareth community. He learned the carpenter's trade under the tutelage of His foster father. In so doing, He taught the dignity of labor. At the carpenter's bench, He mastered the skills of carpentry. No doubt, Joseph's carpenter shop became famous throughout the region because of the superb quality of Jesus' workmanship and the honesty that became His trademark. As a perfect tradesman, Jesus tolerated no shoddiness or inferiority in His work.

Jesus, the carpenter, although an honorable descendant of the royal house of David, brought dignity, thoroughness, and excellence to His trade. He has left an example for every Christian to follow in the work place and the market place. Whether in the work of carpentry or in the work of redemption, His workmanship is always sublime. He is a perfect Saviour, just as He was a perfect carpenter. The humble carpenter of Nazareth is anxious to transform our lives into true masterpieces. "He learned the trade of a carpenter, that He might stamp honest labor as honorable and ennobling to all who work with an eye single to the glory of God. Angels were His attendants; for Christ was doing His Father's business just as much when toiling at the carpenter's bench as when working miracles for the multitudes."--The Bible Echo, October 21, 1898.

My Prayer Today: Lord, may the master carpenter truly transform me into a redeemed masterpiece for all eternity. Amen.