July 5

Only a Carpenter

Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him. — Mark 6:3 BSB

Yes, but that doesn’t take away from anything. It only strengthens Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God. If He had been a learned scholar or philosopher, people might say His wisdom came from others. But since He was just a poor village carpenter, He must have been taught by God.

This also shows how wisely Jesus spent His youth and early manhood—not in idleness, but in hard, useful work, likely helping provide for His mother and family. There’s a powerful lesson here for every young person growing up at home. They should fill their years with meaningful work and make the most of their time.

We don’t have any actual pictures of Christ, but the Gospels give us glimpses of Him in certain moments, each with deep meaning. We see Him with a whip driving out the temple merchants, with a basin and towel washing His disciples’ feet, and on the cross dying. These images are full of significance. And here, we see Him as a carpenter with tools in hand, which also carries rich meaning.

It teaches us that there’s no shame in working a trade, since the Son of God worked as a carpenter. No hands are more beautiful than hands that work. The marks of labor are more honorable than jeweled rings and soft skin. This picture also shows Christ’s humility. Though He was rich, He became poor and worked for His daily bread. This reassures us that He understands and sympathizes with those who work. It’s comforting to think that the hands now holding the scepter once held the hammer and saw.