Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. {offended: scandalized in, or, by him}
The Carpenter! Two things are suggested in this verse. Jospeh is not mentioned and is probably not now living. Jesus is working at the carpenter's bench and continued to do so until He assumed His place in His public ministry. We can and should visualize Him in His daily tasks --- a man among men. How near He seems to us? What a joy to know that He handled a hammer and sharpened a saw, planed the plank and helped to supply the food for the family. Test this picture of Him with any false system and observe the contrast! No matter what our calling may be, the Carpenter will be one WITH us. We can walk arm in arm with Him to the daily task.
O, Thou Carpenter of Galilee, be Thou our ideal always! Amen.
