The Bible shares the story of Jesus’ birth, earthly life and that he grew up in a carpenter’s house. I have been giving some thought about the trade (carpentry) that Jesus learned as a young man and how wood played a significant role in his life and death.
When Jesus came from Heaven and was born in a manger, he had his first introduction to wood. The manger he was laid in was a lowly animal feeding trough most likely constructed from wood. This handcrafted, crude cradle acted as the first throne for the Son of God. This wooden manger may have been primitive, but it represented hope for the world because it cradled a king.
Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, was a carpenter and most boys in that day followed in their father’s footsteps and trade. Jesus lived a sinless, perfect life. Can you imagine being a carpenter in those days (using crude tools) and never saying a curse word when you hit your thumb with a hammer or getting a large splinter in your finger?
Another encounter with wood was when Jesus was on a wooden boat with his disciples. Perhaps, he and Joseph built a boat like this in their little woodshop years ago. He was tired after a day of teaching, and he and the disciples were on a boat headed to the other side of the sea of Galilee. Jesus was exhausted and soon fell asleep; however, a huge storm came out of nowhere and rocked the little boat so violently that the disciples feared they would die in the storm. The wooden boat was filled with water, appeared to be leaking, and the disciples started to panic. Jesus woke up and commanded the storm to stop. The disciples witnessed a miracle and observed firsthand that Jesus was God and had command of the wind and the waves. Wow!
The most tragic and memorable encounter with wood was when Jesus was crucified on a rugged Roman cross. The beams that formed the cross were large, heavy, rough sawn wood. As a carpenter, Jesus was probably familiar with wood like this and may have remembered the many hours he and Joseph spent smoothing it out, sanding it, and crafting beautiful furniture. The tools (hammer) used to nail Jesus to a cross was a tool he had picked up and used for many years. This cruel cross was meant as a symbol for shame and reproach but for millions of people, the cross serves as their “statue of liberty” from the penalty of sin.
The irony of wood being present at Jesus’ birth and death, along with the fact that he became a carpenter by trade is very intriguing to me and perhaps you are intrigued as well.