Dearly Beloved, “ISN'T THIS THE CARPENTER?” “…and many who heard him were amazed. ‘Where did this man get these things?’ they asked. ‘What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? ….’ And they took offense at him” (Mark 6:2-3, NIV). There have been many views and opinions about Jesus Christ. To some, He was a great religious leader. Some view Him as a great teacher. To some people, He was one of the messengers that God sent to this world, especially to a specific people. Others look at Him as only a Savior. People like me believe in Him as the Savior and Lord of the whole earth. However, to His earthly townsmen, He was just a carpenter who they knew His background very well. However, He was, and still is, more than a carpenter. He is even more than what you can think of. The reason is that He is God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Many people will disagree with this, even today, because they, like those Jews, are spiritually blind. What is your view about Jesus Christ? Who is He? Having heard what people said He was, He once asked His disciples this question: "Who do you say I am?" (Luke 9:20, NIV). Only Simon Peter could give an answer: "The Christ of God." That was Peter’s naïve answer. He was correct! What would be your answer to such question? Jesus is not only the Savior of the world. He is also the Lord! This means that He owns the world and all that is in it – including you! The implication of this is that even if you do not want to have anything to do with Him, or you are taking offense at Him like those Jews, a day is coming when you will stand before Him at His throne where He will preside as the Judge. You will not have any other option than to give account of how you spend your life on earth. The question then will be: “What will Jesus do with me?” “Isn't this the carpenter?” Yes! Jesus Christ was that carpenter of Nazareth, but He is more than a carpenter. He is the Savoir and Lord of the whole universe. Have you accepted Him? The Bible says, “[Jesus Christ] came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God” (John 1:11-13, NIV). In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). _________________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). +234 805 515 9591 http://www.afolabayo.org/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/ "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN" (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV). _________________________________________________ FindLaw - Free Case Law, Jobs, Library, Community http://www.FindLaw.com Get your FREE @JUSTICE.COM email! http://mail.Justice.com