Jesus, a first century "techy"

There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about what exactly the Christian faith teaches.  Now we could get into all kinds of theological arguments of minutia, but my point is that there are some fundamentals that are essential and other things that – well – aren’t so much.

 

But let me give you an example of how the misunderstandings play out.

Have you ever seen the bumper sticker, “My boss is a Jewish Carpenter!”

Well – that’s nice – but not quite on the money.

We KNOW that Jesus was raised by Joseph, Mary’s husband, and was considered by homefolks as Joseph’s “son.”  We read:

Mat 13:55  Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?

And

Mar 6:3  Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.

But here things get funky.

There was not a lot of work in Israel (in that day) for carpenters.  Why?  There just wasn’t any lumber to mention at all.  Even the lumber that was used to build the Temples in Jerusalem had to be imported from Tyre.

The word most everybody translates as ‘carpenter’ is the Greek work τέκτων/téktōn.  Though such a person might be able to work with wood, they would actually be better seen as a craftsman (possibly master craftsman), able to work in wood, stone, clay, etc.  Kind of a super handyman, a super sub-contractor.  

Why then a “carpenter?”  Well the word is used a lot in non-biblical writings and in those cases (for the most part) the references are to carpenters/joiners who worked in ship building, so it’s natural to draw the carpenter conclusion.  But old records speak of téktōns as being multi-talented, even master craftsmen not just carpenters.

Near Nazareth where Jesus grew up is the Roman city of Sepphoris.  It’s possible that prior to beginning His ministry, Jesus (and even perhaps Joseph) worked there building the city.  Not a lot of wood there but lots of stone.  Even where wood is used, it’s not enough to keep a carpenter busy for long and Joseph (and after his death Jesus) had a family to support.

So, what’s the point?  Is whether or not Jesus was a “carpenter” or a “craftsman” critical to the Christian faith?  Not really.  But as more is discovered about the time in which He lived, our knowledge and understanding grows.  

There is a “history” in which the Biblical events took place.  As we grow in our knowledge and understanding of that history, many of the things we thought we KNEW begin to fade.  But just because the history in which the events took place becomes clearer and challenges some of the things we thought we KNEW, there is no reason to attach that to the Biblical events.  Whether Jesus of Nazareth was a carpenter or a master craftsman isn’t the point.

The point, all theological issues aside, is that after Joseph’s death, Jesus took on the responsibility for the care of his mother and his half-brothers and sisters until His ministry began.  He knew the trepidation of applying for work.  He knew what it was like to work for a bad boss.  He knew hard work with little pay.  

He knew – and knows – the inequities of the work world.  He understands what it feels like to get shafted.  

Think about this:

Heb 2:17-18  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  (18)  For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Carpenter or Craftsman – not a big thing.  Sure is crucified Carpenter has a certain panache to is but if you’ll consider that as a Craftsman He would have worked with a variety of materials on variety of projects for a variety of contractors – well, His experience broadens quite a bit.  

Does this change who He is and what He did of the cross?  Of course not.  But it does, at least for me fill Him out as a person a little bit.

Think of this if you happen to go to Israel and walk around Nazareth.  Everything you see from that period of time could possibly be something He worked on.  If you go to Sepphoris think about the fact that he may have cut the paving stones and laid them in place.  He may have had a hand in building the magnificent structures you will see.

It’s a small thing – but for me it’s an eye and imagination opener.