Jesus the carpenter

If there was any doubt about Jesus’ suffering after yesterday’s readings, today’s might bring it into sharper focus. The Psalms offer a glimpse into his relationship with his brothers and his community—and it’s a heartbreaking picture. These verses give insight into what daily life may have been like for Jesus, especially during his younger years.

Take a moment to pause and pray before reading today’s passages.

Questions from your reading

• Many believe that Psalm 69, particularly verses 7–12, reflects Christ’s early years. If so, what do these verses reveal about that season of his life?
• Why might Jesus have felt like a stranger and an outsider to his own brothers (Psalm 69:8)?
• Where did Jesus find the strength to endure this kind of suffering? What might he have been learning through it (Hebrews 5:8)?
• What other questions do you still have?

Reflecting on your reading

A common question that comes up is, “How do we know this passage is about Jesus?” It’s a fair question—and one the Gospel of John helps answer. In John 2:17, when Jesus clears the temple in passionate defence of his Father’s house, the disciples suddenly remember something they’d learned as boys: “Zeal for your house consumes me.” That quote comes directly from Psalm 69:9—one of the ways we know it’s a Messianic psalm.

Several verses in Psalm 69 offer powerful glimpses into the life Jesus lived in Nazareth:

• He was dishonoured and misunderstood (v. 7).
• He was treated as a stranger by his own family (v. 8).
• He faced constant reproach (vv. 9–10).
• He became a byword—a joke—in the community (v. 11).
• The elders at the gate gossiped about him (v. 12).
• The drunkards even made songs about him (v. 12).

Imagine how deeply it must have hurt to hear those slurs, day after day. What were the elders saying at the gates? Perhaps they were discussing how to reason with Joseph about his unusual son. After all, Jesus fasted, wept, and wore sackcloth—all behaviours reminiscent of Old Testament prophets crying out over the sin of their people. It’s possible Jesus walked the streets in tears, pleading for mercy on those around him, asking the Father to forgive them, even though they didn’t realise the gravity of their actions.

One thing is certain: Jesus didn’t only suffer at the end of his life. He suffered through it. Isaiah described him as “a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (Isaiah 53:3). Let that settle for a moment. Salvation came at great cost.

None of this is shared to paint his entire childhood as bleak. Jesus had parents who loved him. But it’s easy to imagine how puzzling he may have been to raise. What do you do with a child who never sins? Strangely, other people’s sin often makes us feel better about our own. Jesus never offered that comfort—he always obeyed, always chose what was good. The suffering he faced was completely undeserved. Most of the time, ours isn’t.

Passages like Isaiah 53 and Psalm 69 don’t lower our view of Jesus—they deepen it. They help us see just how much was given to bring salvation near.

Applying what you’ve read

Take a few moments today to reflect on what Jesus went through. Isn’t it astonishing to realise that he chose this path—willingly?

Spend some time simply thanking him for all he endured. Then, share what you’ve discovered with at least two people today. Let the truth of his sacrifice be heard.

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