Is Not This The Carpenter?

I think many people find it difficult to share their faith with their own family or friend if their family or friends are not Christians. They may be very dismissive of us if we try to tell them how they could turn to God and make him the Lord of their life.

Jesus Christ found the same problems with the people of his home town Nazareth. The people there knew Jesus very well. He was the local carpenter, probably having taken over the family business if, as we assume, Joseph had died.

Jesus was also well known in the local synagogue as he worshipped there every Sabbath day and he taught the people there. The people acknowledged that Jesus had great wisdom and that he had done miraculous works among them, no doubt healing people who were sick. But they said "Is not this the carpenter?" They dismissed Jesus because to them he was only a carpenter. Even his own family kind of dismissed him. Jesus marvelled at their unbelief (Mark 6:6).

The sad thing was that the people there missed out on great blessing because of their unbelief. We are told "Jesus could do no mighty work there because of their unbelief" (Mark 6:5). That truly was sad. If you find it hard to witness to your family and friends be sure to pray about it. Jesus understands — he has been there!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I pray for my non-Christian friends and family and ask you to help me if I get a chance to tell them about you and how good it is to know you. Amen.