He could have been born into any home.
He could have been the son of a doctor or a lawyer. A fisherman or a farmer. He could have been the son of a priest or a rabbi. When you think about it, any of these professions would have been appropriate considering who He was and what He was born to do. He could relate to all.
But as God would have it, Jesus was born into the home of a carpenter by the name of Joseph.
In his hometown of Nazareth Jesus was known as “the carpenter’s son” (Matthew 13:55). Joseph was in the building business. Before launching His public ministry, Jesus worked alongside his earthly father. They were more than handymen. It’s likely they built houses of wood and stone. Acting as civil engineers, they might have built bridges or other structures needed by people living in northern Galilee. Whatever the case, Jesus earned the reputation of a quality builder and was simply referred to as “the carpenter” (Mark 6:3).
Actually, the eternal Son of God was in the building business long before His incarnation as the son of Joseph. As a carpenter would frame a house, Jesus framed the universe and made the heavens and earth (Colossians 1:16 and Hebrews 11:3). Interestingly, Jesus made everything visible from invisible materials. In other words, He built it all using nothing except the divine energy of His creative power!
According to the creation account, He planted the first garden (Genesis 2:8), and formed the human race and the animal kingdom from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7,19). We did not evolve. We were fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14)
From Abraham the Lord built the nation of Israel (Genesis 12:2). And within Israel, He established the royal family of David and would be its most prominent descendent (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Furthermore, the hand of the Master Carpenter is at work in the recent rebuilding of the nation of Israel. The psalmist spoke prophetically when he wrote, “The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the exiles of Israel” (Psalm 147:2).
Concerning the Church Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). In spite of everything that comes against it, the Church of Jesus Christ will prevail because it is built to last!
Do you want a marriage and family that are built to last? The Bible reminds us, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). What’s true of a home is true of our personal lives. A life built on anything other than Jesus “will collapse with a mighty crash” (Matthew 7:27). But a life built on the strong foundation of Christ will succeed.
In this world of trouble it’s good to know that the Master Architect is building a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). While the kingdoms of earth will crumble and fade into oblivion like dust in the wind (Daniel 2:35), the kingdom of God will stand eternal. As believers in Jesus Christ we are citizens of the kingdom He is building, over which “He shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).
Pastor Todd Weston
He could have been the son of a doctor or a lawyer. A fisherman or a farmer. He could have been the son of a priest or a rabbi. When you think about it, any of these professions would have been appropriate considering who He was and what He was born to do. He could relate to all.
But as God would have it, Jesus was born into the home of a carpenter by the name of Joseph.
In his hometown of Nazareth Jesus was known as “the carpenter’s son” (Matthew 13:55). Joseph was in the building business. Before launching His public ministry, Jesus worked alongside his earthly father. They were more than handymen. It’s likely they built houses of wood and stone. Acting as civil engineers, they might have built bridges or other structures needed by people living in northern Galilee. Whatever the case, Jesus earned the reputation of a quality builder and was simply referred to as “the carpenter” (Mark 6:3).
Actually, the eternal Son of God was in the building business long before His incarnation as the son of Joseph. As a carpenter would frame a house, Jesus framed the universe and made the heavens and earth (Colossians 1:16 and Hebrews 11:3). Interestingly, Jesus made everything visible from invisible materials. In other words, He built it all using nothing except the divine energy of His creative power!
According to the creation account, He planted the first garden (Genesis 2:8), and formed the human race and the animal kingdom from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7,19). We did not evolve. We were fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14)
From Abraham the Lord built the nation of Israel (Genesis 12:2). And within Israel, He established the royal family of David and would be its most prominent descendent (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Furthermore, the hand of the Master Carpenter is at work in the recent rebuilding of the nation of Israel. The psalmist spoke prophetically when he wrote, “The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the exiles of Israel” (Psalm 147:2).
Concerning the Church Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18). In spite of everything that comes against it, the Church of Jesus Christ will prevail because it is built to last!
Do you want a marriage and family that are built to last? The Bible reminds us, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). What’s true of a home is true of our personal lives. A life built on anything other than Jesus “will collapse with a mighty crash” (Matthew 7:27). But a life built on the strong foundation of Christ will succeed.
In this world of trouble it’s good to know that the Master Architect is building a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). While the kingdoms of earth will crumble and fade into oblivion like dust in the wind (Daniel 2:35), the kingdom of God will stand eternal. As believers in Jesus Christ we are citizens of the kingdom He is building, over which “He shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).
Pastor Todd Weston
