Why Did Jesus Come as a Carpenter?

Mark 6:3 states, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.”

Of all of the occupations Jesus could have chosen, why did He choose to be a carpenter? Those who wrote about Him in the New Testament were fishermen (John, Peter), a tentmaker (Paul), a tax collector (Matthew), and a doctor (Luke). Only He was a carpenter. Carpenters work with materials of the earth (wood, steel, stone, sand, limestone, shale, iron ore, etc.) to build structures such as homes. Jesus worked with some of the lowliest among us to begin His ministry and build His church. Is it not fitting that the Creator of all that we know manifested in the flesh to become a builder among us? Next consider His other literal or figurative occupations, such as that of a prophet, teacher, preacher, counselor, shepherd, vineyard owner, miracle-worker, healer, and the prince of peace, Even ancient non-Christians acknowledged Jesus as a wonder worker (Josephus) who had miraculous powers (Celsus). Jesus’ miracles demonstrated His supernatural abilities to transcend natural laws and limitations. He entered into the world through the virgin birth and performed miracles of healing, restoration, and transformation.

“Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.”[1]

“But the men marveled, saying, ‘What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!’”[2]

Jesus wore many hats to explain His purpose and infinite love for all. “Christ did not die for men because they were intrinsically worth dying for, but because He is intrinsically love, and therefore loves infinitely.?”[3]

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”[4]

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[1] Luke 7:22

[2] Matthew 8:27

[3] Lewis, C.S. (1947). Miracles. The Complete C.S. Lewis Signature Classics. C.S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. P. 346.

[4] John 15:13