"The Carpenter's Rule"

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? (Mark 6:1-3 NIV).

Everyone knows that Joseph was a carpenter and that he was called "a righteous man," but we seldom think about the wisdom he handed down to Jesus. In ancient times, it was customary for a son to follow his father into his trade. Joseph practiced his trade in the small village of Nazareth, but he probably worked in nearby towns as well. Undoubtedly Jesus learned the trade from Joseph and worked with him before he began his public ministry. This is certainly the reference in our reading today as he returned to his hometown of Nazareth to teach the Gospel. The people in the synagogue had a difficult time getting past his former life, asking, "Isn't this the carpenter?" They would have done well to have understood the wisdom that Jesus had from that experience. There are some rules that every carpenter follows:

1. The first is measure twice, cut once. Wood was scarce in ancient Israel. Joseph and his apprentice Jesus couldn't afford to make mistakes. They learned to proceed with caution, anticipating the consequences of everything they did. It's a wise principle for our lives, too. Thinking ahead prevents a lot of trouble. We should measure our spending against our income and not exceed it. We should measure our physical health and take steps to protect it. We should measure our spiritual growth and work to increase it. Just like the timber in ancient Israel, our resources are limited, use them wisely.

2. The second is use the right tool for the job. Joseph wouldn't have tried to pound with a chisel or drill a hole with an ax. Every carpenter has a special tool for each task. So it is with us. Don't use indifference when understanding is called for. Don't use condescension when encouragement is needed. We can build people up or tear them down, depending on which tools we use. Jesus gave people hope. He wasn't embarrassed to show love and compassion. He was a master at using the right tools, and as his apprentices, we should do the same.

3. The third is to take care of your tools and they'll take care of you. Joseph's livelihood depended on his tools. We also have the tools of prayer, meditation, fasting, worship, and praise. Our most valuable tool, of course, is the Scripture. If we use these tools correctly, God will take care of us. God has given us all the tools and resources we need. Work for God with your head, your hands, and your heart and you can't go wrong.