Is this not the Carpenter?

I wrote this honestly not knowing if it was meant for anyone but myself. I was reading and came across that line (the Title), and began to ruminate. No matter, I know His Word won’t return void, so if nothing else, please look up all the Scriptures even if you know them. Get revived and strengthened in His Word. I have shared 3 different literal translations in most links. The benefit is the Cross References in all the capitalized letters. Go off on a rabbit trail. If you are KJVO, just pick the references, and look up your own. Love in Christ to you all.

They were offended at Jesus

When Jesus came back to Nazareth with His disciples, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath and began teaching. These people knew that He had done such mighty works and were astonished at His teaching, but they looked down on Him because He was just a lowly Carpenter. And it adds that they were ‘offended at Him’. Really let that sink in. They knew His exemplary teachings, they saw His miracles, and yet He offended them. Why? Mark 6:1-6; Matthew 13:54-59

Have you ever felt other’s disdain towards you? It could be someone at work who has been unkind, or possibly a friend, or maybe even family. Maybe some of the reasons were things you had done in your life that have come back to haunt you (or they bring up continually). If that’s the reason, they’ve forgotten the grace they were shown and don’t realize that God’s Grace is sufficient for all believers. You’ve been forgiven all your trespasses when you believed. You realize you haven’t arrived, but are looking forward, forgetting what is behind (Phil 3:12-14). They should too. We’re all going to sin until we die, even when we don’t want to.

God’s Grace is Sufficient

For some of you, (possibly because of guilt or failure), you may even be your own accuser. Oh, how much I want to remind you over and over — if you are His, He has forgiven you of all of your sins. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Just don’t hide your sin from Him as we are wont to do (in our Adamic nature). Agree with Him when you recognize sin. Those that don’t admit sin, end up deceiving themselves and being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. It’s more productive to spend some time talking to Him, admitting your failures — He already knows, and He is faithful. I believe doing this, along with taking time in His Word, places you smack dab in the place where your faith will get strengthened. You’ll be relieved having given it to Him. Some deny 1 John 1:9 is for the church, I would disagree, but regardless of how they see it, I cannot even imagine not talking to Him when I fail. 

Get into His Word

We really need to continue in His Word.

I firmly believe, and have said many times over the years, that I believe our endurance is abiding in Him and continuing in His Word, (as Jesus told those who had just believed in Him – John 8:31-32; John 15:7). It also makes us better equipped as a believer when we know His Word. I think you see that simple formula in Luke 10:38-42. Get back in the saddle when you fail. It may be that you have to get back up every day, or even more often, but just do it no matter.

God will use us for His Glory

Remember God uses those of us that other people may judge us to not be very intelligent. Maybe we’re weak or seemingly (or truly) foolish. Maybe no one would see us as noble. That passage in 1 Corinthians says He even chooses the base things of the world to use. And God displays His power and glory through those who are weak like us. The purpose is that no flesh should glory in His presence (1 Cor 1:26-31). We are to only glory in Him alone anyways, so it doesn’t really matter what others think of us, as long as we do what we’re doing as unto Him. To God be the glory, great things He has done.

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24

I’m not suggesting we just throw all to the wind and do whatever we want without trying to take heed to His Word. But do try to remember, it’s not as hard as some make it (with their zeal and the religious bondage they would put some under). His Yoke His easy and His burden is light when we learn from Him (Matt 11:28-30). We need to stick close to Jesus, talk to Him, and acknowledge and trust Him in more things. We desperately need to stay in His Word, our necessary food. Read it, Meditate on it, Enjoy it, Love it, Study it with His approval as your only goal — and again, talk to Him throughout, as you see many wonderful things in His Living and Powerful Word (Ps 1:2; Ps 119:18, 140, 162; 2 Tim 2:15; Heb 4:12). Thank Him for the comfort found there (Rom 15:4), don’t forget Him, or take Him for granted. It’s far too easy to become lukewarm because of daily distractions or cares of this world.

The disciples are a poignant reminder of our sometimes fickle walk with Christ. Or how we can have a lack of faith in stormy weather. Unbelief of the disciples is noted throughout His Word, even after all the great miracles and deliverance He had demonstrated in front of them. Luke 24, the Road to Emmaus, is a great story to re-read among many regarding our lack of faith. Maybe Jesus previously saved us from a great storm, and later something else comes up and we’ve already forgotten what He’s done for us in the past (Matt 8:23-27; Ps 107:25-32). He understands. Just like the previous passage in Psalm 107 speaking of their soul ‘melting’ because of their troubles or misery, the Messianic Psalm (22), speaks of His heart being like wax that melts.

Remember Peter upbraiding Christ for saying He was going to die (and Jesus saying, ‘Get thee behind me Satan…’? Or all of the disciples fleeing and abandoning Jesus? Their wishy-washiness at times — all of it is a good portrayal of our own walk with Him sometimes — (or at least it has been for me). But that’s why we confess those things (admit or agree with Him). Friends talk to each other when they’re having difficult times or have failed the other. Church members share their faults (with those they trust), so they can be prayed for. Why wouldn’t we do the same with Him?

Jesus is a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.

In today’s climate, aside from unbelieving family members, many are experiencing rejection from family on a different side of the aisle politically, and may be devastated. He knows our pain, grief, rejection, ridicule — anything that causes us sorrow. Jesus was rejected by His own. Despised. He never sinned and He still wasn’t esteemed (Isaiah 53). His younger brothers ridiculed and mocked Him in unbelief, (John 7:2-10) and His own people said He was out of His mind (Mark 3:21). The leaders of the Jews sought to kill Him, even though they were the very ones who were supposed to identify the Messiah. (Matthew 21:38; 26:4; John 5:18; 7:1,19,25; John 8:37, 40). As we saw, His own disciples were unbelieving at times and turned on Him, abandoned Him, denied Him and betrayed Him to death with a kiss. Gives new meaning to the wounds of a friend being faithful, and the kisses of an enemy deceitful. But Jesus was not taken by surprise, He knew the thoughts of men, yet He still loved them and gave Himself for them — while they were yet sinners (John 15:13; Rom 5:6-8). We, however, are taken off guard often. Hurt by others we love, and who I am sure usually love us (even when they may not treat us the way we would wish). Or maybe some don’t love us. We have to learn to love them with the love of Jesus anyways. And we can more ably do that as we learn to love God in a way that is more worthy of the love He deserves. With all our heart, mind, soul and strength. In continual thanks for the things He has done, and all He blesses us with. Knowing His love, (that we don’t deserve), I believe we are better enabled to love others as ourselves.

When others forsake you, mock you, ridicule you, gossip about you, or turn their backs on you, pray for them and try to put your mind on Jesus. He knows what you’re feeling, and He alone best knows how to heal your heart. Remember He is close to the broken hearted and the contrite in Spirit (Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 51:17).

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Notice how He allows us to draw near first? Still in everything, in our walk with Him, God is not anything but a gentleman who loves us. Don’t turn your back on God in hard times, turn to Him instead.

And when you’re hurting, try this. You could go out and encourage others. Look for the downcast, the hurting, the sick. Maybe consider quietly being the Good Samaritan. If you can do nothing else, you can pray for them and encourage them with His Word which is huge. Maybe listen to them and offer them some good, Biblical counsel. Or maybe you are in dire need of withdrawing like Jesus did when He was tired. Pray for each little step and trust Him to lead you. He is with us and will never leave or forsake us.

God bless you all who read here. Even those who will come to disagree, that’s ok, He loves you and I’m here to listen.