CARPENTER’S SON

For most people, there is nothing like going back to the place of one’s childhood. If someone has done well in life they are usually applauded as a ‘local lad made good’. Memories are stirred and people like to talk about where you have been and what you have achieved.

By the time the Lord Jesus made this visit back to Nazareth, He was well known for His mighty works and His teaching. His fame had spread throughout Galilee and the surrounding regions, Mark 1. 28, 45. It is a surprise, therefore, to read the reaction of the people in His home town. They of all people were not ready to accept the Saviour for who He is, the Son of God.

When the Lord entered their synagogue that day He astounded them with His wisdom. They had also heard of His miracles, Matt. 13. 54, but He was unable to perform any miracles in His home town due to their unbelief, Matt. 13. 58. The people said, ‘whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?’, Matt. 13. 54, and ‘whence then hath this man all these things?’, Matt. 13. 56. They failed to see the Lord Jesus for who He was. Do we?

Their rationale was pretty simple. They knew His mother Mary, His brothers James, Joses, Simon and Judas, and His sisters. They had all continued to live in Nazareth, but Jesus had left the carpenter’s bench and was now the miracle working teacher. They could cope with Him as the carpenter’s son or even as the carpenter himself, Mark 6. 3, but their unbelief was such that they could not grasp that He was the Son of God, and not the son of Joseph.

He must have been an excellent tradesman for He was still known as the carpenter. He would have been the most honest businessman in town; His holiness affected all areas of His life. He would have provided for all the remaining family if it is true that Joseph had died; how hard He must have worked.

That day, the Lord taught future generations that honour will come to those who represent God, but not necessarily in their own town or country. Let us live today as our Lord lived.