Scripture Reading: Mark 6:1-6

Is This Not The Carpenter?

Intro.

1. Jesus humbled himself in complete obedience to Father, becoming poor that we might be “rich” – Phil. 2:5-8; 2 Cor. 8:9.

2. Mark 6:1-3 – Those familiar with Jesus were offended by His teaching & His mighty works.

3. Carpenter possessed strength & skill (cf. Isa. 44:13-14). Products included houses, farm implements (yokes, ploughs), carts, furniture.

4. Why was the Son of man a carpenter? (Yes, because Joseph was one.)

a. Perhaps the humble & obscure nature of this vocation.

b. Some fascinating lessons grow out of Jesus’ trade as a carpenter.

I. TRADES JESUS DID NOT CHOOSE.

A. He was Not a Shepherd, yet He is the Master Shepherd, Jno. 10:11; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4.

1. Shepherd provided food & water, guidance, shelter & protection.

a. Fitting trade for Jesus; A favorite figure He used to describe Himself, Jno. 10:2-11.

b. He was the son of David (great shepherd-king), Ezek. 34:23-24.

2. Jesus is the Good Shepherd; the savior of mankind, Jno. 10:14-16, 26-28.

B. Jesus was Not a Lawyer, yet He is the Master of the Law.

1. Lawyers were trained by rabbis to be skilled interpreters of law, Mk. 6:2; Jno. 7:14-15.

2. Jesus was the Word made flesh (Jno. 1:14), Law-Giver & Fulfiller, Matt. 5:17 (cf. Matt. 12:8).

3. Jesus possessed authority over the Law, Matt. 7:28-29.

C. Jesus was Not a Doctor, yet He is the Master Physician.

1. Mk. 5:25-26 – Doctors were available but not always adequate.

2. Jesus is the Great Physician, Mk. 5:27-34; Matt. 9:12-13.

D. Jesus was Not a Fisherman, yet He is the Master Fisherman.

1. At His word the nets were full, Lk. 5:4-7, 11; Jno. 21:6, 10-11.

2. He made “fishers of men” out of fishermen (Matt. 4:19).

II. JESUS IS THE MASTER CARPENTER.

A. Jesus Built the Universe, Jno. 1:1-3; Rev. 3:14.

1. Before He ever worked in Joseph’s workshop He worked in His eternal workshop & created a masterpiece!

2. Marvel at His strength & skill (Col. 1:15-17):

a. Human body (Psa. 139:14); Earth, solar system & galaxies, Psa. 19:1.

b. Heavens & earth stand as a monument to the strength & skill of the Carpenter – Almighty God – Rom. 1:20.

B. Jesus Built the Church, Matt. 16:16, 18.

1. House: Heb. 3:3-6 (1 Tim. 3:15). We are God’s house, Christ is honored & we are to be faithful to Him (3:14).

2. Temple: Eph. 2:19-22. As chief cornerstone, He has erected a temple of God in which God dwells with mankind.

3. Marvel at His strength & skill:

a. Strength over death (resurrection) – Matt. 16:18 (Rev. 1:18).

b. Skill in giving His church just what it needs to be equipped for serving God – Eph. 4:7-12.

4. If the church is not important, then the builder is not important!

C. Jesus Built the Bible, Jno. 1:14.

1. The Word who revealed heaven’s will, Jno. 1:17; Heb. 1:1-2.

2. When we accept the ones He sent, we accept Him & the Father, Lk. 10:16; Matt. 10:40 (17:5).

3. Marvel at His strength & skill:

a. Strength: Revelation, inspiration & confirmation, 1 Cor. 2:4-5, 10, 13; 2 Pet. 1:2-3.

b. Skill: All truth, Jno. 16:12-14 (2 Tim. 3:16-17) – Just what we need, & all we need.

4. The Bible is a marvel, the light that guides us in righteous paths, Psa. 119:105-106.

Conclusion

1. The quality, magnificence of a product says something about its builder: The universe, the church & the Bible.

2. A heavenly home has also been built, Heb. 11:10, 16 (Jno. 14:3).

3. Yes, truly, this is the carpenter!