Recently, I wrote about the need to read Scripture for ourselves and dig deeply. We have tools at our ready disposal, the envy of any seminary in history. We have the Bible in an almost overwhelming variety of translations.
We have commentaries ranging from near the time of Christ to the latest in academic thought. We have study tools to help us understand the original language, and if we prefer, we have the Scriptures in their original forms. Maps, charts and works of history, archaeology and science aid our study. There are concordances and Bible dictionaries available for our use. We have photos and videos of the places of the Bible to help us envision them.
The deeper we dig, the more we learn and appreciate the wondrous Word God has given us. The more we can understand Him. As we seek answers to our questions, we find we may not have all the answers, but we certainly get better questions. If nothing else, we put together a fuller, more accurate picture.
Allow me a small example. We all know that Jesus was a carpenter.
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. Mark 6:3 ESV
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? Matthew 13:55 ESV
The word translated “carpenter” is the Greek “tekton.” It means craftsman or builder. Jesus likely worked with wood, but since stone is more common in that part of the world, he also probably worked with stone as well.
The fact that Jesus was likely more than simply a carpenter doesn’t change who He was or what He did on our behalf, but it does change our image of what He did and the world He lived and worked in.
There is nothing wrong with being a carpenter; it was and remains a much-needed trade today. Knowing He was a tekton – a builder, a craftsman – just gives us a clearer picture. Either way, he was a skilled craftsman who worked with His hands. He knew the cost and value of a hard day’s work. He was human in every way.
In the end, that minor difference in wording may change nothing, but it helps me see the world of the One I love more clearly, and that’s a blessing.
Read the Word. Take advantage of the plethora of tools to help you dig deeper. Get to know Him more clearly.
Be blessed
Kevin
SUMMARY
Digging into one small word, tekton, gave me a clearer picture of the world Jesus lived and worked in. Read the Word, dig deeper, and get to know Him more clearly.
TAKEAWAY
We have more tools for studying the Bible than ever before, including translations, commentaries, maps and concordances. We should use them.
The deeper we dig, the more we learn. We may not get all the answers, but we get better questions and a fuller picture.
Jesus was a tekton, a craftsman or builder who likely worked with stone as well as wood. That doesn’t change who He was, but it gives us a clearer picture of His world.