I’m currently reading “The Jesus I Never Knew” by Philip Yancey. It’s inspired me to rethink about Jesus the man.
I have never connected with the pictures of Jesus that a fluffy white haired, white bearded and wearing white. Likewise the Jesus that is clean shaven with children sat on his knee looking all sweetness and smiles. All these pictures suggest to me is that Jesus isn’t real.
I believe Jesus was real and I have found it a real blessing to try and think about some of the things that are common to us men and hence were also part of Jesus.
As Jesus was a carpenter did He get nerdy about the latest a greatest tool or was He more of a heritage man who revelled in restoring something old? These tendencies are common to a huge number of men, just look around at the number of gadget magazines and vintage clubs. I’m sure these things are not unique to our age but reflect something deep about manhood. If there had been a Screwfix catalogue I’m suspect He would have subscribed.
While He was in the carpentry shop how did Jesus react when something went wrong? Firstly, I am sure that Jesus did not produce perfect furniture, making perfect furniture takes too long and the family needed feeding. Secondly, I’m sure things went wrong. Jesus was working with imperfect tools and imperfect materials so I’m sure that He hit a piece of wood too hard and split it from time to time. If that was the case, where did Jesus have a scar. I can’t imagine anyone working as a carpenter and not having some scar or other it’s inherent in the job.
How goal oriented was He? All men are oriented to the goal whatever the goal is. We constantly set ourselves new goals in order to reach them. I’m sure Jesus was the same, but I’m intrigued what the goals would have been. Did He seek out adventure?
I often wish the Gospels included hints as to the tone of Jesus voice when He was talking. Was the Sermon on the Mount said in a constant monotone or was there places when He was shouting, was there places when He was talking more gently. When was that, which bits was He most passionate about?
So why is this a blessing to me – because it makes Jesus more real and in so doing brings him closer.
Discover more from Graham Chastney
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Graham Chastney 
Hi, your article seems so relevant and true. I also had a problem with the picture that had been painted of Jesus. He wasn’t real for me. I also questioned and while I don’t have the answers (we never will until that fateful day)Jesus became more than just a reason to do or to believe, he became a mentor and an example and I find myself whenever I am faced with a situation in which I have to act, asking the question: How would Jesus have reacted? In in finding the honest answer, I find my honest solution.
To me Jesus represensts compassion, love, energy, determination, forgiveness, energy and unshakable conviction.
To genuinely believe that, I have to genuinely feel that that is who He was (and is) and to do that, I had to sense Him as a person. In getting to know Him, possibly you are right: He developed his personality and drive in the carpentry shop. In moulding His craft so to was His personality moulded from the trials and tribulations of that craft.
LikeLike