Jesus and Work

Os Guiness in The Call writes about Jesus and his pre-mission work:

In the second century, Christian apologist, Justin Martyr grew up over the hill from Galilee. Interestingly, he notes that the plows made by Joseph and Jesus were still being used widely in his day. How intriguing to think of Jesus' plow rather than his cross -- to wonder what it was that made his plows and yokes last and stand out

In Mark 6, scripture records that people referred to Jesus as being a carpenter.

Mark 6:2–4
And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” (ESV)

The theological premise that physical/manual labor is honoring to God does not depend on the interpretation of Mark 6:3 or trusting Martyr's witness. Several passages support that work can be a form of worship (Colossians 3:6, 23; 1 Corinthians 10:31). God gives the blessing of enjoying the work of one's own hands to his people (Ecclesiastes 5:19-20). However, the fact that Jesus did work with his hands is an intriguing idea to meditate upon and seems to be supported by scripture and the historical witness. The God of all creation chose the profession of carpentry during his time on earth and he did not choose to be a scribe or a rabbi. All that Christ did on earth glorified His Father in heaven (John 17:4). Only God knows fully knows why, but God chose carpentry as the best way to glorify himself in in "pre-mission" period of Christ's life.