Matthew 2:23……..Ready

Matthew 2:23……..Ready

 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. (A small village in Galilee, total population being 500-1500. Nazareth would have been the logical second choice. It was their hometown and far away from Archelaus’ clutches.) So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.” (3480-A title of reproach, contempt, and rejection, as being insignificant and despised. Syn.-hillbilly, redneck, hick. For more see website.)

Continued From Book

Teaches how Jesus knows what its like to be despised and rejected having experienced it Himself. ⇒ Those who suffer hate, rejection, and ridicule will never be able to say “Jesus you don’t understand”! or “Jesus you can’t relate with what I’m going through”! Because Jesus does understand having been despised and rejected by men. Having been called a gluten, drunkard, and a friend of sinners. (Matt. 9:11, 11:16-19, Is. 53:3, cf. Heb. 4:15-16)

Teaches how God doesn’t always take you where you might want to go, but will lead you to where you need to go.

Teaches how Jesus is not ashamed to be identified with the rejected, the outcast, the lost, the hopeless, the poor, the hurt, the needy, the broke, the forgotten, and the neglected.

Prepares believers for what it means to be a Christian and all that comes with it in being unpopular, disliked, and excluded.

Calls for not allowing our past to define us or determine who we are. All that matters is who God says we are! ⇒ Maybe you come from a violent background? Maybe you were abused as a child? Maybe you grew up in some gang? But don’t let that determine who you are or what God can do with your life.

Gives hope to the marginalized and outcasted, though you be easily dismissed by others your always accepted & loved by God!

Teaches how God can take the ordinary, despised, and outcasted and use them for His purposes and glory. ⇒ No matter how insignificant you feel you are God has a great purpose for your life! Don’t allow humble beginnings keep you from doing great things for God!) (cf. 1-Corn. 1:27)

Reminds believers the next time someone tries to make us feel inadequate, or tries to get us to question our self-worth, importance, that we will never amount to anything. That’s when we need to speak truth into our lives of who we are in Christ Jesus.

    Even today, Jesus knows what it’s like to have people treat you unfairly. He understands what its like to be rejected, abandoned, and shunned. Jesus knows what its like to have people despise you for no reason. Jesus knows what its like to be bullied and made fun of. Jesus knows what it’s like to have friends desert you.

 Because there is no specific passage that says “He will be called a Nazarene”. Many scholars conclude that Matthew was referring to the overall prophetic theme concerning the Messiah’s character as being humble, lowly, and despised.

  Additional Notes & Applications

Calls for staying true to who we are as Christian regardless of how the world treats us. Those who know that the victory is in Christ Jesus will care less if the world thinks of us as losers, or as uncool and unhip, that its only God’s opinion that counts!

Prepares believers for the reproach and name calling will encounter as we follow Christ. Do you pull back or tone down the Gospel message out of fear of being labeled a Jesus freak, Bible Thumper, Holly Roller, Evangelical, etc.?

Calls for always making it about blessing and helping others and not about our self’s. Will you put aside a charmed life of popularity, success, and making a name for yourself to better serve and help others? That’s what Jesus did for you! (cf. Philp. 2:1-8, 1:27-29)

-Nazarene- Meaning: Most scholars agree that the word used here is not simply designating a place of origin, as “Jesus of Nazareth” or “Jesus the Nazarene”. But rather the term bares more of a negative connotation describing a persons character as being humble, lowly, and despised.

       Called a Nazarene-Variously interpreted to mean:

• Was a prophetic theme signifying that the Messiah would come from humble beginnings and be despised and rejected. (John 1:46, 7:52, Ps. 22:6-8, 69:9-10, Is, 53:1-3)

• Was a play on the word “Neser” which in Hebrew means shoot or branch, thereby signifying the Messiah would be a descendant of king David. (Is. 11:1, Jer. 23:5)

• Was a title given to Jesus, having resided and grown up in Nazareth. (Matt. 26:71, John 18:5-7, Acts 2:22)

• Was in fulfillment with the “Nazareth Vow” Jesus having been consecrated and separated to God’s service. (Numb. 6:1-5) (Note: Most reject this explanation due to the fact Jesus drank wine and would often go near dead bodies. Matt. 11:19, Luke 7:11-14)

 (For more Applications get the whole Book) 

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