PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 2:19-23
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“What was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.” (Matthew 2:23)
Matthew is likely connecting Jesus to the negative reputation of the town of Nazareth.
The region of Galilee was looked down on by the Jews, and especially Nazareth.
“‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked.” (John 1:46)
The people from there were despised and rejected by the more upper class Jews.
And Isaiah did prophecy that the messiah would be despised and rejected.
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.” (Isaiah 53:3).
Jewish leaders later insulted Jesus-followers by calling them a Nazarene sect (Acts 24:5).
Matthew is stressing that Jesus is raised a nobody, and unimpressive low life.
This seems like an odd way to promote your faith or boast about your messiah.
Unless the whole point is to show how God joins us in our low position, to lift us up!
Jesus joins nobodies to make them somebody; he humbles the proud and lifts up the lowly!
I am glad to belong to this Nazarene sect, and to be insulted as a Nazarene with him.
Can anything good come from us… God in Jesus says YES and becomes one with us!
PRAYER
Lord, you join the weak, the small and rejected, to raise them up. Thank you for willingly being despised to rescue us from our weakness and bring out your goodness in us!
Nazareth in Galilee – considered to be a backward place – That’s where Jesus grows up. Nazareth’s reputation is not great. So naturally, a lot of Jewish people would not give much respect – if you came from there you be considered backward. It’s a humbling status – and that is the status that Jesus grows up in! And our Jesus – who is son of God, is willing to associate with lowly people. I too, need to know that without Jesus I am a lost sinner – I’m nothing. But with Jesus I am.
God leads His people by His Spirit His wonders to perform – His Word to be fulfilled. Joseph listened and acted upon hearing His voice. He was Spirit driven. As Joseph had open ears and an open heart to do His will, I too need to be open to His leading me from day to day to do His will.
I am weak, and I need Thy strength and power
To help me over my weakest hour;
Let me through the darkness Thy face to see,
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.
Refrain:
Lead me, guide me along the way;
For if You lead me, I cannot stray;
Lord, let me walk each day with Thee.
Lead me, O Lord, lead me.