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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!