Category: Father God

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:1-4 KJV).

Have you ever stopped to consider why Jesus’ earthly trade was carpentry?

Young Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Passing from childhood to adulthood, Jesus (as the God-Man) became more aware of His purpose. His physical body grew stronger, His mental faculties strengthened, and His soul became increasingly enlightened as He feasted on His Heavenly Father’s Word (the “Old Testament” Scriptures). “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8; cf. Hebrews 10:5-7).

One day, Jesus as a Man read or heard the scroll of Daniel chapter 9. He learned of verse 26 about Messiah being “cut off” (killed) 483 years after Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall. From that day forward, Jesus knew the age at which He would die. He knew the time of year He would die—Passover. Those three years of ministry would pass quickly, and He had to be about His Father’s business. There was no time to waste!

“My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” (John 4:34). “Jesus said…. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of the Father, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel” (John 5:19,20). “…But as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things” (John 8:28).

Yes, by the time of His earthly ministry, Jesus Christ was fully prepared to work with His Heavenly Father in the “family business” of “carpentry.”

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:1-4 KJV).

Have you ever stopped to consider why Jesus’ earthly trade was carpentry?

Reading from Isaiah chapter 50: “[4] The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. [5] The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.”

After accidentally leaving 12-year-old Jesus, Joseph and Mary return to Jerusalem and find Him at the Temple, “sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers” (Luke 2:46,47) Verses 48 and 49: “And when [Joseph and Mary] saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

At age 12, the Lord Jesus was very knowledgeable in Jewish religion, for He had studied the “Old Testament” scrolls by faith. He knew exactly what His Heavenly Father was doing. Did those senior-citizen rabbis? We can only wonder what kinds of questions He was asking those elderly “learned” (?) Jewish doctors of theology! (Sort of like today, when 10-year-old children can quote a clear Gospel of Grace while most “veteran” preachers cannot.) If at age 12 Jesus was so skilled in the word of righteousness, just imagine the spiritual GIANT He was at age 30 when He began His ministry!!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Can you explain Matthew 21:43?”

Monday, September 21, 2015

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:1-4 KJV).

Have you ever stopped to consider why Jesus’ earthly trade was carpentry?

The Lord Jesus had a reputation among the people of Israel for being “the carpenter’s son” (Matthew 13:55) and “the carpenter” (Mark 6:3). They knew He had grown up under the tutelage of Joseph (“as was supposed” His father; Luke 3:23). Joseph was a carpenter, a very creative man, and had instructed Jesus well concerning the craft.

By the way, what happened to Joseph is not recorded in Scripture. There is Scriptural evidence that he was deceased before Christ’s crucifixion (see John 19:27). Joseph may in fact have died before Christ even began His earthly ministry, perhaps during Jesus’ latter teenage years?

What we can be sure of is that Joseph and Jesus had worked on many carpentry projects. They had designed many edifices together. They had raised many structures together. Together, they had made many houses for people. As a Man, the Lord Jesus had learned quite a bit about wood. Wood was the primary material than His stepfather used to accomplish his goals. As a Man, the Lord Jesus also studied the “Old Testament” Scriptures to learn quite a bit about another a wooden structure. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).

As the years passed, it became clearer and clearer what His Heavenly Father was doing. Like His stepfather Joseph, Jesus’ Heavenly Father was building something. As He had so obediently helped His stepfather, the Lord Jesus was now entering the public ministry, ready to raise the structure His Heavenly Father had planned from eternity past….

Sunday, September 20, 2015

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:1-4 KJV).

Have you ever stopped to consider why Jesus’ earthly trade was carpentry?

Very little is known about Jesus’ childhood. While various purely speculative and quite silly ideas have been offered, these do not concern us. The only authoritative sources on the subject are found in the Bible—Matthew chapter 2 and Luke chapter 2.

Recall the famous account when Joseph and Mary accidentally left Jesus, age 12, in Jerusalem, before returning for Him. Luke 2:51,52 continue: “And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” These two verses cover about 18 years, for we do not read about Jesus again until He enters His public ministry around age 30 (Luke 3:23).

What did Jesus do during those years prior to His ministry? It is quite simple to understand when we look at the verses. He followed His legal father, Joseph, in the family trade. Joseph taught young Jesus all about carpentry and architecture. Picture this, will you? The God of creation in mortal flesh submitting Himself to be instructed by a human stepfather! One way that Jesus “increased in wisdom” concerned carpentry. Another way was that He studied His “Old Testament” scrolls.

The Lord Jesus was being trained twice simultaneously. Joseph was teaching Him manual and human labor while Father God was teaching Him spiritual and divine labor! Young Jesus helped His stepfather Joseph accomplish many projects, a glimpse of what He would do one day with His Heavenly Father upon entering His public ministry!

Saturday, September 19, 2015

“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God” (Hebrews 3:1-4 KJV).

Have you ever stopped to consider why Jesus’ earthly trade was carpentry?

When Israel heard Jesus teaching mighty doctrines in the synagogue where He grew up, they were amazed. The Bible says in Mark 6:1-3: “[1] And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. [2] And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? [3] Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.” Matthew’s (13:55) account says, “Is not this the carpenter’s son?”

Two quick facts—Jesus was “the carpenter” and was “the carpenter’s son.” It is no coincidence that Father God chose a carpenter, Joseph, as His Son’s foster-father. God could have had His Son raised in the home of a physician, religious leader, politician, businessman, or fisherman. Yet, Father God made sure that His Son was born into a family where carpentry was the trade. Why?

In the Bible, much older Joseph and young Jesus were carpenters. They were not just known for building pieces of furniture or other wooden crafts (a common misconception). No, carpenters were known for constructing whole houses. They were physically strong men, and knowledgeable in architecture. Why was Jesus Christ a carpenter? Think about today’s Scripture and it will become wonderfully clear! 🙂

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