David began Psalm 19, profoundly .

"The heavens declare the glory of God".

Do you want to glimpse the glory of God? Wake up at dawn and go to a strategic spot to view the sunrise! Photograph it. Capture it on canvas. Words dare not describe aptly the artistry and explosion of colours that fit perfectly like a jigsaw! At sunset, watch the sun in a blaze of glory settle in a saucer; then follow it as this spilled jelly slips then disappears over the horizon. Gape in awe at the clouds. Have you seen green during a sunset? They exist. When the rare occasion occurs, all one can do is savour the moment. Even a 'smart' camera might fail through deficient precision!.

Do you know that Creator God - Jesus Christ the Son, was the Lamb slain before the foundation of  the worlds were framed? Which profession do you associate with a frame? In carpentry, creative skills are a forte. Carpenters have to visualize the finished product. Most of all, they need a working drawing for their creation. The projected item must be aesthetic and functional.  As a child, I watched my father make coffee tables with intricate designs. Each design provided unique pride, a tribute to his creativity; and the tables sold quickly. Although the patterns are still in my head,  I know from my two years in a carpentry workshop that nothing is random. God planned everything precisely - even the redemptive action!

By Obedience

Jesus, God in human flesh, exercised discipline through obedience. Joseph the carpenter married Mary the Virgin. Although Jesus knew that Joseph was not His biological father- having been conceived by the Holy Ghost - He had to respect him. The incident in which Jesus, at age twelve, remained in the temple having a discussion with the elders makes this clear. He had not informed his parents, so they returned to the temple to look for Him.

Yes, Jesus had to take care of His Father's business. But, Jesus had to be subject to Joseph; and He was known as the son of the carpenter. Thus, He had to learn the carpentry trade. Spending time with saw dust provoked memories of Eden. Moses, who is credited with writing the Pentateuch , never specified the colour or type of dust that was used in the creation of Eve. Dust is a natural element. Who has analyzed the specks of dust that settle everywhere? Man knows that he is frail - dust; and it is to dust he will return. Often prior to the committal of a body at a Christian funeral, those present hear the words: "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust".

Affinity For Boats

Some people have a passion for boats. Poems have been written about the seafaring life. Crossing of the Bar and Ancient Mariner are but two; and those who have studied them can remember some of the famous lines. John Masefield opened his poem with :

"I must go down to the sea again..."

Jesus associated with fishermen; so some experiences recounted in the four gospels revolve around the Sea of Galilee. Jesus borrowed Peter's vessel and used it as a pulpit to preach to the eager listeners. Later that day, the miraculous draught of fish provided a sermon for Peter and his friends. Instead of focusing on the physical- catching fish - they would feed the hungry souls of men. Their bread would be certain and their water sure as the Bread of Life and the Living Water had used their vessel.

While in the boat on the lake en route to Gadara, a storm arose; and the passengers wondered if Jesus cared about their safety. Surely they would perish because of the strong winds and boisterous waves. Jesus reminded His friends about the importance of faith. Then He spoke peace; and nature obeyed Him.

The disciples faced a variation on the theme of faith. God told Noah to build an ark. He specified every detail needed for the construction of a boat. But, there was no water! Under those circumstance, wasn't obeying God action that demanded faith? It did; and only Noah and his family took refuge in the ark according to God's instructions. God closed the door, providing those inside with the seal of salvation. They - eight souls - were saved from the deluge that destroyed the antediluvian world.

Choices

Every trade forces an individual to make choices. However, carpentry limits them to two. The wood is either soft like ponderosa pine or hard like mahogany. Wood has a grain. The choice is to work with the grain or against it.Those with an eye for beauty know that the grain tells its own story. Jesus made it plain during His sojourn on earth that those who do not side with Him are working with the enemy of the soul. Thus, Jesus made contrasts continually. The wise man built his house on a foundation that reached bedrock: the foolish man built superficially - on sand. Love demands obedience; hate seeks rebellion and revenge.  An individual cannot serve two masters. Thus, one must choose between serving God or being a slave to materialism and worldly pleasures.

At creation, choices flourished as demonstrated by light and darkness. God is Light; and in Him there is no darkness. He delivers man from darkness - characteristic of sin - so that he can walk in the marvelous light of truth and righteousness. The model pair in Eden succumbed to a lie when they disregarded the truth given them by the word of God. In Genesis 2, God established two institutions - the Sabbath for man to rest, fellowship and commune with Him and marriage as a basis for family life. Today, many people see no need for God nor marriage as a standard foundation for the family.  Instead of one conjugal partner at a time, some spouses or 'significant other' are concurrent. In spite of perversions and aberrations, God says there remains two choices still - life or death, heaven or hell.

Door

No matter how sophisticated life becomes in the twenty first century, a building needs a door. Even in a building with a glass revolving door or an automatic door, one fact remains. A door provides an entrance and an exit. Jesus Christ identified Himself as the Door to the sheepfold. In a pastoral society, the listeners could identify with such imagery. Today, most people think of a door in terms of privacy and security. A door is a legitimate entrance and exit to an elevator, a car, a home, an office. Anyone who tries to enter any other way is a thief who comes to kill, steal or destroy. As the Door, Jesus offers individuals the pathway to God who is Truth and Life. Since carpenters can make aesthetic doors, create the frame and get them to function, Jesus knows about a door. When He shuts it, no man can open it; and when he opens it, no man can shut it. Jesus was truly a carpenter!

Sacred Numbers

Carpenters measure constantly. Although machines make the work of the carpenter easier nowadays, a carpenter uses numbers. Think for a few moments about the spiritual significance of numbers.

1 There is one God, one Mediator between God and man, one heart and one love.

2  God created male and female; and symmetry as well as contrasts are revealed throughout nature. Man has two eyes, two ears,two lips, two hands and two feet. Some internal organs - kidneys, lungs, two chambers in the heart use two. What would a bird or butterfly look like if it were not for two wings? The cycle of life - day and night depend on sun and moon.

3. Time is recorded as past, present and future. Matter consists of liquid, solid and gas. God has revealed Himself to man as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Three bear witness- Spirit, Water and Blood [1 John 5:8].  God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent.

4.There are four directions and four seasons. Revelations talks about a city that is four square.

5 Look at your hand. There are five digits; and each one is important. Jesus told about five wise and five foolish virgins. One day, Jesus used five loaves from a boy's lunch to feed five thousand people.

6 God made man on the sixth day and provided him with six days to work before he takes a break. This number when tripled- 666- is the number of the Beast

7 Revelation contains so many examples of  this number. Included are seven seals, seven churches. and seven trumpets. On the seventh day God rested; and He spoke seven times while on the cross.

8 Eight persons were saved in the Ark and on the eighth day, male children were circumcised.

9 Nine gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed in 1 Corinthians  12: 8 -10. In Galatians 5:22 -23, nine attributes are listed as Fruit of the Holy Spirit.

10. Egyptians were afflicted by ten plagues before the Israelites were given permission to leave the land. God gave Moses ten commandments that provide a  standard for his moral and spiritual life - love to God and neighbour. In the gospel of John, Jesus identifies Himself as I AM ten times. The counting system used worldwide is based on ten.

A City Four Square

A carpenter uses many tools. Among them is a square. During my days in a carpentry course, I had to use the T square for the architectural drawing. Orthographic projection began as an enemy and emerged as a friend. Nobody was allowed to touch any wood without a plan. In John 14, Jesus tells His friends to not be disturbed by His departure He was going back to His Father to prepare a place. In Revelation, John describes what he saw in a vision[Revelation 21: 10 -21]. However, the square used for this city, no doubt, was the L shaped one. The person who talked with John had a golden reed to measure the city.

John the Revelator was in heaven; so the mundane tools of earth have insignificance there. Yet, the details indicate precise accuracy. Jesus Christ, who was present before the worlds were framed, has designed a more luxurious environment for the redeemed who love Him. With an immortal and incorruptible body, the fickle experiences of life remain insignificant. No thieves will enter the city; so the jewels  on display will demonstrate the beauty and majesty of God .  Jesus the Carpenter has a  taste for grandeur that  is out of this realm! No wonder songwriters talk about walking on the streets of gold!  Stroll provides a more apt image as John declares it as a land of endless day.

Jesus had to be a carpenter. He was familiar with trees,  as they provide wood. Kinsman Redeemer  Jesus grew the tree He would use to set men free! Yes, a crude cross, an instrument of death, brought life to all when Jesus purchased redemption through His shed Blood.  Jesus gave all for me and you. Do you appreciate His sacrifice? How deep is your love for Jesus Christ, the Carpenter?