He will be called a Nazarene

He will be called a Nazarene

Scripture:

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt ²⁰ and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

²¹ So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.²² But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, ²³ and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. Matthew 2:19-13

Observation:

As we continue to follow the early life of our Lord, we see the angel of the Lord appear to Joseph a third and fourth time, first letting him know that it was time to return to Israel, and then warning him to withdraw from Judea which was then controlled by the son of Herod, Archelaus.

From the passage, one of the first points we note is that God has His perfect timing for everything. If He so chose, God could have removed the evil king Herod earlier, but He allowed Herod to live a further number of years. In any case, once Herod and all who were on the lookout to kill Jesus had died, it was time to return. In our lives too, there are different times for different things. Some seasons, we may have to withdraw for a while from a certain thing or place, and then return later when the time is right. The important thing is to be guided by God as we live life.

We also note from the passage that even from childhood, our Lord had to move from place to place. From Bethlehem to Egypt, back to Israel, and then specifically to Galilee. Later on, the Lord said “Foxes have holes and birds have nests but the son of man has no place to lay his head”. One thing about traveling from place to place is that it reminds us that our home is not here on earth. We are but strangers and pilgrims in this place. Our true home is a far greater one, a heavenly, perfect one. Hence, we should not allow us to be so attached to the temporal things of the here and now, but always have that heavenly vision.

Regarding the prophecy of Jesus being called a Nazarene, there is no obvious Old Testament reference. However, scholars traditionally believe that it is in reference to the place in Isaiah where the coming Messiah was described as the Branch. A Greek reading of the Hebrew word for branch “Net-zer”, would sound like “Nazarene”. Meditating upon Jesus as the Branch, we are reminded of His precious words where He said “I am the vine, you are the branches” and asked His disciples to “Remain in Him, so that He would remain in them.” What does it mean to remain in Jesus? It is to be aware of His presence with us throughout the day through His Holy Spirit. It is to seek to know Him more and more. It is to desire to become more and more like Him.

Application: Thank God that He holds all history in His hands. Even when things don’t seem right, or life seems difficult, trust in God, He has perfect timing for everything. Remember that we are aliens and sojourners on this earth, which is only a temporary place. Desire to adopt a heavenly view as we go about our daily lives. Meditate on Jesus as the Branch, as the Vine from which we derive our being and purpose.

Prayer: Praise You, Father in Heaven, for You hold all history in Your hands. You make all things perfect and beautiful in its time. Let me always trust You, Lord, no matter what the circumstance, no matter what problems I face. Let me always remember Lord that I am only a pilgrim on this earth, and I have a greater, higher destiny beyond this world. Lord Jesus, remain in Me always I pray. Teach my heart to listen to You, to seek You more, and let Your presence dwell more and more richly in me day by day. In Jesus name, Amen.