Jesus the Son of Man · Chapter
A Rich Levite in the Neighbourhood of Nazareth explained
A rich Levite reflects on the craftsmanship of Jesus of Nazareth, noting how the doors and windows Jesus made have endured while others have not.
What happens
A rich Levite reflects on the craftsmanship of Jesus of Nazareth, noting how the doors and windows Jesus made have endured while others have not. He marvels at the skill that seems to transcend human art, and he wonders how to recognize when God's hand is upon a worker.
Themes in this chapter
Humanity and Divinity of Jesus
The Levite sees Jesus's work as both humanly skilled and divinely inspired, hinting at the mystery of His dual nature.
Characters to notice
- Jesus
Remembered as a skilled carpenter whose work surpassed that of other builders, hinting at His divine nature.
Key passages
“Had I known then that this youth with saw and plane was a prophet, I would have begged Him to speak rather than work, and then I would have overpaid Him for his words.”
If I had realized that this young carpenter was a prophet, I would have asked Him to teach me instead of work, and I would have paid Him well for His teachings.
The Levite regrets not recognizing Jesus's true worth at the time.
“How shall I know the man whose own hand is upon his tool, from the man upon whose hand God lays His hand?”
How can I tell the difference between a skilled worker and one who is guided by God?
The Levite ponders the difficulty of discerning divine inspiration in ordinary work.