Did the Prophets Say Christ Would be “Called a Nazarene”?

By Bob Prichard     After describing the birth and early years of the life of Jesus, Matthew tells us that Joseph, having obeyed God by going down to Egypt, returned to Galilee, to Galilee, “and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matthew 2:23). There seems to be a problem, however, in that there is no Old Testament prophet who said, “He shall be called a Nazarene,” and the city of Nazareth is never mentioned in the Old Testament.     Some have suggested that Matthew meant a Nazarite, rather than a Nazarene. A Nazarite took vows of holiness, never cutting his hair, avoiding any contact with dead bodies, and generally living a very austere life. Some of the prophets did refer to the holiness of the Messiah, but none said He would be a Nazarite. John the Baptist may well have taken a Nazarite vow, but Jesus, who was called a glutton and a winebibber, and who touched the dead to bring them back to life, would not have been a Nazarite. Surely Matthew understood the difference between a Nazarite, one who had taken a Nazarite vow, and a Nazarene, one who was from the city of Nazareth.     A more likely explanation for Matthew’s statement that “He shall be called a Nazarene” lies in a play on words, specifically the Hebrew word “branch,” that would have been very obvious to the Jewish readers who were the target of his gospel account. Matthew stressed that Jesus was “the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1), as he showed that Jesus was the fulfillment of the words of the prophets as the One who was the promised Messiah-King. The Hebrew word for “branch,” neser is very similar to the root word of Nazareth. Isaiah had prophesied of the Messiah, “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots” (Isaiah 11:1). Of this Branch, he said, “the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:2). The prophet Zechariah said, “Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH” (Zechariah 3:8).     Matthew’s statement, “that which was spoken by the prophets” (2:23), is a general statement, not necessarily indicating that any of the prophets specifically said, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” Elsewhere, when Matthew speaks of fulfilled prophecy, and he has a specific quotation in mind, he names the prophet, or says “the prophet,” rather than “the prophets.” His general statement indicates that a general teaching of the prophets was that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene.     There is significance in being called a Nazarene. To be a called a Nazarene was to be called “from the backwoods,” to be unsophisticated. When Philip told Nathanael, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth,” Nathanael commented, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:45-46).  Many of the prophets said the Branch, coming from humble beginnings, would be despised and rejected by men. Jesus was treated as a “Nazarene” by the religious authorities of His day.

- Bob Prichard serves as an elder and evangelist for the Hillview Church of Christ in Birmingham, Alabama, since 2016. In his forty-five years of preaching he has served churches in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Alabama.

Faith and Morality

By Glen Elliott     The Bible begins with the beginning. And, in that beginning, lies the basic premise around which to build our lives. Morality stands or falls on the basis of one unalterable truth: “God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). It is faith in God as our Creator that gives purpose to our lives. Without faith, we are aimless drifters with no hope beyond the grave.     When the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, he spoke of the evidence for God’s existence as displayed in the material universe. He said that what is “known about God is evident…for God made it evident….For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through that which has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Rm. 1:19-20). Ignorance is no excuse for unbelief. God has provided, through His creation, evidence of His eternal power and divine nature. This argument is closely tied to that which was used by the Hebrew author who said: “Every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God” (Heb. 3:4). Because of its order and design, a house demands an architect and builder. In spite of what a future homeowner might wish, a house does not build itself! Infinitely more complex than a house is the universe. Its builder and designer is God.     But some will ignore the evidence and refuse to give honor to God as their Creator. Refusing to acknowledge God or render thanks to Him for His blessings, they will exchange the truth of what they know about God for a lie and worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator (Rm. 1:21-28). Such a rejection of God is followed by a downward spiral into moral depravity (Rm. 1:29:31). Though included in Paul’s description of their wicked behavior, the besetting sin of the Gentile world was not homosexuality, murder, or idolatry. Their great sin was rejecting God. Everything else was the result of their refusal to honor Him as Creator.     It is to our shame that we have allowed godless atheism its stranglehold in our society. Rejecting God as Creator, we have paid the price in moral confusion and wicked behavior. The tide will not be stemmed until we have restored faith in God as our basis of morality. Morality is not inherited from our forefathers. It is not decided upon by popular opinion polls. Morality is founded upon our belief in God. God will hold us each accountable for the lives we choose to live (Eccl. 12:14). Without God, there is no basis for determining right and wrong. And, where there are no absolutes, there is anarchy. Pray that we, as a nation, will turn our eyes back to God as our Creator and to Christ as our hope for everlasting life.

- Glen Elliott preaches for the Greenbrier church of Christ in Greenbrier, AR. He may be contacted through the congregation's website - https://www.gbcofc.com/

The Hardest Drive

By Adam Faughn     It’s the most difficult drive I regularly make and, sometimes, I force myself to make it.     It’s the drive near–or through–a neighborhood that I used to get invited to, but haven’t in a long time. It’s the drive near–of by–a house that I used to frequent, but haven’t in a long while.     And I have no idea why.     But it’s the same kind of drive that many Christians make in various neighborhoods in every location every day, so this is not really about me or about any particular house.     So many Christians work and pray and visit and try to help a brother or sister in Christ who is struggling, only to see that Christian fall away and not worship or be involved any longer. Sometimes there is an explanation given, but, more often, there is none–or not much of one. All those Christians are left shaking their heads and asking what they could have done differently. Should I have said something sooner? Did I do something wrong? Did I forget something important? Did I try too hard to win them back? Was I pushy or not pushy enough?     And now, on a daily commute or a regular trip through town, they drive by the house or the neighborhood. Each time, they wonder if they should stop, or if doing so would do more harm than good. Many times, they shed a tear, or at least feel emotions deep within. They think about texting or calling when they get near the neighborhood, but question themselves each time, wondering if it will help or if it will push that person even further away.     And it hurts. It hurts deeply.     It hurts for one reason: that’s a brother or sister in Christ, and you love them more than maybe even they realize. You’d do anything to help them get to heaven, and you have no idea what to do. Every time your wheels turn even within a block or two of the house, you wonder if today should be the day you try again…or if they even care any longer.     And it makes it the hardest drive of your day.     Brother or sister in Christ, don’t ever make someone else have to feel that way. Stay connected to your church family. Be involved. Show love and care. Return those texts or calls, even if it takes a few minutes of your time that you aren’t sure you have. That Christian loves you and just wants you to go to heaven. Realize you would do the same if the roles were reversed.     Oh…and have them over sometime, even if just for a glass of lemonade or to watch a game. That drive is sweeter than can be imagined because the bonding of Christian family is like no other relationship on earth

- Adam Faughn preaches for the Central Church of Christ in Paducah KY. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.centralchurchofchrist.org Visit the Faughn Family blog, A Legacy of Faith

Power

By Joe Slater     Here in Texas the electrical power grid is either operating perfectly or in imminent danger of catastrophic collapse, depending on whose propaganda you’re reading. Our recent extremely hot summer and even more recent record-setting cold snap both taxed the grid. I have no solutions to offer here.     We depend heavily on power. Let the electricity go out a few hours (or days) and you realize anew just how reliant we are. I even purchased a generator to use if we are without power for more than a few hours. It won’t run the whole house, but it can keep the refrigerator and freezer from letting the food thaw and ruin.     But what if I can’t get any more gasoline for the generator? Then I’m back to square one. Yes, it’s important to have access to power!     Being connected to the power of God ought to concern us more than the electrical grid. Christ’s gospel is God’s power unto salvation (Romans 1:16). No matter how powerful you might think you are, your own power can’t save you from your sins.     God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20). That’s not our power but His! But it will work through you when you are connected to it.     Our “faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5). Confidence in the electrical grid may or may not be justified; but God’s power never fails, and it is always available to those with an obedient faith.     Stay connected to the power!

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com

Looking to Jesus

By Jared Green     The Letter to the Hebrews was written to a group of Jewish Christians who were struggling in their faith. Dealing with oppression from those around them, some of these Christians were considering leaving their faith in Jesus and returning to the familiar, more comfortable religion of Judaism. Using evidence from the whole of Scripture, the letter’s author makes the case that Jesus is superior. Jesus is supreme over the angels (chapter 1), he is the founder of salvation (chapter 2), he is greater than Moses (chapter 3), he is the great high priest (chapters 4-9), and his once for all sacrifice offers true forgiveness (chapter 10).      Following the in-depth, doctrinal evidence concerning the superiority of Jesus, the author makes a plea for faithfulness that begins by pointing to the faith of Old Testament spiritual heroes such as Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, and more. Following this list of faithful men and women, the author makes what is, in my opinion, the letter’s greatest appeal to faithfulness.      Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).     As the author argues, there is no better example of faithfulness amid trial than that of Jesus Christ. When faced with the most shameful, humiliating, and painful death imaginable, Jesus endured the cross. He was able to endure “for the joy that was set before him,” and because he endured, he is now “seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus endured because of the hope and joy of the future, and because of his faithful endurance, we have been offered salvation. Amidst life’s trials, may we always look to Jesus as our supreme example. As the author goes on to say, “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:3). God loves you, and so do I.

- Jared Green preaches the Calvert City Church of Christ in Calvert City, KY.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.calvertchurchofchrist.com

I'm Not Ready Yet

By Bill Brandstatter
    I was talking to a lady once about the second coming of Christ. She stated, “I am not ready yet.” I thought about what that statement revealed and what it can tell us.    First, being ready is not on my terms, but on Christ’s. I must do what He wants me to do. His word will be the basis for judgment (Jn. 12:48). I cannot get ready by my own merit or standard. Jesus warned us to be ready and on the alert. To be ready means I have made the proper preparation. Preparation requires effort. To the persecuted Christians in the first century, Peter encourages them to “add to your faith” (2 Pet. 1:5).    Second, being ready being watchful. The Bible uses the term “watch” to describe the day of the second coming of Christ. He will only come back once. We don’t know when, only the Father knows. If I am watchful in anything, I am on guard. I watch those items which will damage me. I watch to make sure the items I need are the ones I have. Watching for the second coming of Christ works the same way. Jesus used this term. Watch means to be on the lookout or to be aware of what is going on around us.    Third, being ready doesn’t mean we wait till the last minute. Too many people have a lot of “baggage” they want to get rid of before Christ comes back. I am convinced that if the Bible gave us an exact time the Lord would return, there would be some who would wait until a split second before to get things right; but we are not told the time; therefore, any minute we wait could be the last minute.

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/

In Whom Do You Trust

By Bill Brandstatter
    There are times in our lives when we must trust other people. As a small child, I trusted my parents to provide for my needs. When I started working, I trusted my employer to give me a paycheck. When I have medical needs, I trust a health care professional. Sometimes, I may question a decision that is made. I might decide not to take a recommended procedure. I might decide to refuse treatment; but, ultimately, I have to put my trust in someone else.    What about our spirituality? I must trust what God says. I might not like what He says. l may decide not to do what He says, but, ultimately, we will all stand before Him (2 Cor. 5:10). We will be judged by what we knew and what we obeyed (John 12:48). Many people trust themselves for spirituality. They make up their own rules and ideas about what it means to be spiritual. Often those ideas are far from God’s. The apostle Paul described some who “Became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rom. 1:21). He also mentioned that they did not like to retain God in their knowledge (Rom. 1:28).    I must trust God for any information about heaven. God is the source of all information about Himself, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Christianity, Heaven, and Hell. God says not everyone is going to heaven (Matt. 7:21-24). God says just professing Him will not get a person to heaven (Matt. 7:21). God indicates that just prayer will not save (John 9:21; Isa. 59:1,2). God tells us that baptism is a must to be saved (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21). God tells us that baptism is a burial (Rom. 6:3). Whom do you trust regarding these matters?

- Bill Brandstatter preaches for the Marion Church of Christ in Marion, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://marionchurchofchrist.com/