Pounding Wood into Wonder
Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us. They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. Mark 6:3 (NLT)
My paternal grandfather whittled wonders with his callused hands. His wood creations never failed to surprise me and I would giggle and hug his neck. Emily E. Ryan (Mornings with Jesus) also had a talented father and grandfather who liked to build things. Read her words as she shares the insight garnered from the Carpenter.
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When I was a child, my grandfather built a Ferris wheel in his backyard for my cousins and me to enjoy when we visited. Soon after, my father used his carpentry skills to build a swing set for our yard and a toy kitchen for our playroom. Even now, the sound of tools banging and pounding wood into wonder still reminds me of my idyllic childhood.
To me, a man with well-used tools and calloused hands is worthy of respect and admiration, yet every Christmas, I’m reminded that not everyone felt that way. Though Jesus’s earthly faither, Joseph, stands as a pillar of strength in the Christmas story, his label as a carpenter made it hard for some to believe that Jesus could ever be worthy of their worship. Wouldn’t the Messiah come from a heritage with a little less sawdust?
But when I think of Jesus being born to a carpenter, I can’t imagine a more fitting narrative. After all, Jesus was building, crafting, and creating long before His incarnation. The Bible says that the heavens are the work of His fingers (Psalm 8:3), that in the beginning, He laid the foundations of the earth (Psalm 102:25), and that we are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10).
The hands that learned to create with wood and stone alongside His father, Joseph, are the very hands that formed the universe. Creator, Carpenter, King—a heritage worthy of worship indeed.
FAITH STEP: Get crafty. Build or make something that honors Jesus.
Heavenly Father, You are worthy of all our praise. Thank You for all the lessons and blessings You give to us each day. Help us to be more aware of You and with a song in our hearts, let us share Your Love with others. AMEN.