Is this not the carpenter’s son?
Is not His mother called Mary?
And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?
Jesus was a Carpenter’s Son; Joseph, His stepfather, was His legal guardian. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary, but it was Joseph whose occupation provided His food, clothing, and shelter. Joseph was the human father who guided Jesus’ growth and taught Him a trade. Since there is dignity in work, Jesus became a carpenter, as was Joseph. When Jesus was 12 years old, He went to the Temple for His bar mitzvah, to be declared as “Son of the Law.” It was then that Joseph had to declare his son would take up his trade: “He shall be a carpenter.” Jesus worked as a carpenter in Nazareth until He was baptized by John the Baptist, at approximately 30 years of age (Luke 3:23). He then began His earthly ministry. What can we learn from Him?
Lord, thank You for submitting to the limitations of a human body. You gave us an example of how to work for a living. Help me follow Your example.
Even though Jesus is God, He became a Carpenter’s Son to grow as we must grow, to learn as we must learn and to gain favor with God and man, as we must do. But let’s not forget that Jesus left us an example of how we should work. Let’s follow His example.
Lord, I want to walk through life as You walked. I want to be successful at an occupation as You were. I want to learn obedience as You did (Hebrews 5:8). I want to please the heavenly Father as You did. Help me today. Amen.
Jesus gave us an example of earthly work.
