Jesus: Carpenter or Rabbi?

I think most of us have either read or head something along the lines of Jesus being a carpenter. The Bible doesn’t actually say that He was a carpenter, but it does say that His earthly father, Joseph was. In the understanding that many children often followed in their father’s vocation (James and John for example), we determine that Jesus was also a carpenter.

Recently, I have heard some evidence that this might not be the case. Much of this came from a class in Second Temple Judaism that I audited with Dr. Kevin Youngblood at Freed-Hardeman University and Rob Bell. The basis of the Second Temple Judaism class was to talk about the social and governmental changes that became after the Second Temple was built. After being ruled by the Babylonians, Persians, and influenced by the Greeks, Hasmoneans, Ptolemies, and Seleucids among others, one cannot help but have their customs changed. One of the things we discussed is the educational system.

Now that the Jews had been scattered through a larger area of the world, they couldn’t just educate in the Temple. A Synagogue was in most every town with at least one rabbi (teacher) there. All the male boys started their schooling around the age of six. From about the age of six through ten they were at the first level of education called either Beth (pronounced bait) Sefer. In this school the rabbis taught the Torah (Gen-Deut). The students memorized it and well as learning to apply the text to their lives. So, by the age of ten every Jewish boy knew the first five books of the Bible by heart! So, there was no doubt when Jesus taught scripture the people knew the text that He was talking about very well.

At this point those who were exceptional students would move on to the next level of education (similar to going from elementary school to secondary school). The ones who didn’t move on in education would go home and learn their father’s trade. The next level was Beth Talmud. Here the students learned the rest of the OT as well as some of the rabbinic literature like the Talmud and Mishnah (which discuss the oral traditions that go with the text). This level of schooling lasted until the age of thirteen or fourteen. And many of them would have all 39 books of the OT memorized. They also learned the art of asking questions.

There is a time in Jesus’ life that is mentioned when He falls into this age group. When He is 12 he is found in the Temple listening and asking questions. If Jesus grew up as a Jewish boy, Did He go through the educational system just as all the other boys? Here He is asking questions and learning in the Temple. Was He there extending His education and faith on His way to becoming a Rabbi?

At this point, once again, those who are the best students would move on to the next level of education, Beth Midrash. Here they would learn as a disciple under a rabbi. They would ask to be the rabbi’s disciple and then would be grilled on the scriptures and traditions to see if the student had what it took to be the rabbi’s disciple. If the student did, the rabbi would say, “Come follow me.” They have what it takes. Did Jesus go through a situation such as this?

It is interesting what Jesus says, to a couple fishermen. “Come follow me.” He is telling them that they have what it takes to be His disciples, to do what He does. Yet, they are following in the family trade. They were the ones who weren’t the best. They were the ones who didn’t make the cut. Yet, Jesus believes they can do everything that He does. Jesus is their Rabbi and He believes in them. He believes in us.

I would say that Jesus was a Rabbi, not a carpenter. He was in the temple because He was on His way to being a Rabbi. It is interesting when the rich young ruler comes to Jesus. He says, “Good Teacher (Rabbi).” I would think Jesus would say, “Whoa, wait, I am a carpenter not a rabbi.” But He never calls into question His rabbi status; He calls into question the fact that He is called “good.” For only God is good.

One might want to say that Jesus was a carpenter, but I think Jesus was instead a Jewish rabbi. A rabbi who calls the uneducated, the not good enoughs, the tax collectors, the zealots, the lepers, the women; He calls you and me and says we can follow Him. We can teach what He taught. We can do what He did. I think that is much more powerful!

The Life of Christ - Lesson 3

JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
Application: Obedience

Memory verse: Luke 2:51-52


v41
Passover:
-Each household was to take a sheep or goat that had no blemish and was about one year old.
-All of Israel would kill the animals on the 14th day of the first month at twilight.
-They are to spread the blood of the animal on the doorposts of the houses.
-The animal cannot be left until morning, it must be burned before morning.
-They could eat it with unleavened bread and herbs.
-They are to eat it: dressed for travel, sandals on feet, and staff in hand. Eat it in a hurry, because it is the Lord's Passover.
Festival of Unleavened Bread:
-Along with the Passover, they celebrated the festival of unleavened bread.
-They are to remove the yeast from your house and eat unleavened bread for 7 days. Only unleavened bread?
-During the seven days, no work is to be done, except for the preparing of food.
-All these things are found in Ex 12.
v42
Jesus was 12 years old. About sixth grade.
v43-46
Parents assumed He was with them. Parents are not perfect, they can make mistakes.
They searched for three days. Jesus was not with them 3+ days.
v46-47
He was in the temple among the teachers, listening and asking questions.
Scholars were amazed at His understanding and answers.
v48
Jesus treated them like this? They had left him!!!
v49
Jesus knows what's most important: studying and learning.
"Father" We call God our Father. We are adopted sons and daughters of His. Jesus was the first one to call God 'Father'
v50
They did not understand because Jesus is already talking of spiritual things other than physical things.
v51
Nazareth. Remember that this is where Joseph is from. They were here before they went to Bethlehem.
Jesus was obedient to them. His parents left him and did he ask for special privileges? No! Did he ask for something in return for leaving him for more than 3 days? No! Even when parents are not perfect, obey them!
Mary treasured these things. She was Jesus' mother! NOTHING is more special to a mother when their child is obedient to her.
v52
Here's an intro to Jesus' life:
Jesus is growing in wisdom (greater than knowledge),
statue (eating healthily and becoming strong),
and in favor of God (being obedient to God)
and with the people (He's not selfish with people, he's being kind and does not have enemies).


Next weeks' memory verse: Matt 3:11, Matt 4:4