Joseph, the husband of Mary, was a carpenter, a builder of things (Matthew 13:55-56). He shaped, fashioned and finished wood – and other materials – so they fitted together. Mary’s first-born son lived out his childhood surrounded by the tools of this trade, being taught by Joseph how to use them; he was about this ‘father’s business’. His human father could not have imagined that he was guiding the person who, in another existence, had watched over and directed the shaping and finishing of wood and other materials to complete the temple; who had then watched over the rebuilding of that temple after its complete destruction, and was later to predict another complete destruction of the temple that was an integral part of the religious life of those he lived among. But there was more building to come. Jesus made buildings – as a human and as a ‘life-giving spirit’ (1 Corinthians 15:45 NIV). He knew they needed to fit together to resist storms and to protect the people who inhabited them. 

Christ is still building, perfecting another building, adding the elements that make it perfect. And he is doing it now as he did it then – through individuals whom he has blessed with the skills needed to complete the task (Exodus 31:6). Look how they celebrated the temple Solomon built – and the less imposing one built by Zerubbabel. What will the celebration be like when the future building, referred to by Paul, is completed? Paul shared with the Corinthians his understanding of Zechariah’s prophecy in the header scripture above: ‘By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.’(1 Corinthians 3:10-11). He refers to himself as a ‘master builder’ blessed with God-given skills to complete the task.

In the book of Zechariah, the prophet refers to four ‘craftsmen’ translated from the Hebrew word charashim which is rendered ‘carpenters’ or ‘artisans’ in some translations. They are described as confronting, and terrifying four ‘horns’, representing powers that sought to destroy Israel and Judah (Zechariah 1:18-21). The battle is won, ‘Not by might nor by power…’ (Zechariah 4:6 ), but by builders and craftsmen.

It is a remarkable picture: the ambitions and pride of man-led empires, with their vast armies and tools of destruction, could be defeated by unarmed builders, or artisans, or carpenters. But that is what happened in the wilderness, and on the cross when Jesus Christ confronted the armies of Satan and destroyed his power. We are following in his footsteps as he continues crafting each ‘living’ stone that finds its perfect place in the ‘holy temple’ – a description framed by the Apostle Paul: ‘Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?’ (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Local congregation:
GCI Market Harborough
9 The Point
Rockingham Road
Market Harborough 
LE16 7QU

Meeting time:
Sunday 4.00 pm

Local congregational contact:
Sinead Henderson 
Email: sinead.henderson@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church