Text: Matthew 13:53-58
When Jesus lived on the earth, He was the son of a carpenter. To the people in His hometown, that was all He was. We recognize Him first as the Son of God. Yet being raised in a carpenter’s home was not random. Carpenters make, build, and prepare things for others to use – even places for them to live. Jesus was involved in this sort of work long before He was born in a carpenter’s household, and He continued this type of work after His death. In this lesson, we are going to notice a few things Jesus made.
Jesus Made the World
- All things were made by Him (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16) – the physical world came from somewhere (Hebrews 3:4); Creation is the best explanation
- His work as a master craftsman is on display in the physical world (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:20) – He created something that has stood the test of time (Genesis 8:22; Acts 14:17)
- He created us as well (Acts 17:25; cf. Psalm 139:14) – we have been made for His will (Revelation 4:11); we are to fulfill our purpose (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
Jesus Built the Church
- Jesus promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18) – this was established on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41, 47)
- It was built upon a solid foundation (Matthew 16:16, 18; 1 Corinthians 3:11) – He is the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-21); the foundation includes the apostles and prophets (their message)
- We need to be in His church, not a counterfeit – there is ONE body/church (Ephesians 4:4; 1:22-23); salvation is only found in His church (Ephesians 5:23)
Jesus Is Preparing Our Place in Heaven
- Jesus promised His disciples that He was preparing a place for them in heaven (John 14:2-3) – we are looking forward to that eternal home (2 Corinthians 5:1)
- This also includes preparing US for this place – He would die on the cross for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3); He then entered heaven to complete the work of redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12, 24)
- Along with this, He has made a way for us to be there – He is the way (John 14:6); we need to follow the path He has made for us (1 Peter 2:21-22; cf. Matthew 7:13-14)
Conclusion
- Jesus was the son of a carpenter – He built the greatest things that were ever built
- But He was more than the son of a carpenter, He was/is the Son of God – He made the world in which we live; He made the place of safety for us in the world (the church); He is making an eternal home for us in heaven
- Let us recognize the great blessings of what He made or is preparing – follow the path He made for us
[Adapted from an article by Wade Webster.]
