“Can any good come out of Nazareth”, the answer is, “Yes – by God’s grace, it can”. Nazareth was a small insignificant town in the province of Galilee; not much more than a large village. Historians tell us that Nazareth was looked down on by both the Roman occupying authorities and the larger Jewish population of Israel at that time. The thought of anything good coming out of Nazareth was a bit of a joke! No doubt it was the low reputation it had that gave rise to Nathaniel’s question. But it was from that place of no esteem, no great significance, and of low reputation, that God chose to launch the ministry of His Son.
Yes; it was in Nazareth that God’s messenger angel came to Mary with the news that she was to give birth to Jesus who would be the coming saviour. Luke 1:26. It was in Nazareth that Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” Luke 2:52. And it was in Nazareth that Jesus declared His mission and laid down his mandate: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the recovery of sight to the blind…” Luke 4:18.
Praise God today and be encouraged. The Word of God tells us that “…God has chosen the foolish things of this world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of this world to put to shame the things that are mighty…” 1 Corinthians 1:27. Even the apostle Paul, who had good beginnings in education and status, said, “…whatever things were gain to me I have counted loss for Christ”. Philippians 3:7.
Whatever our background, high or low, rich or poor, weak or strong, the ‘good’ that came out of Nazareth can take us, change us, save us, fill us with His Spirit and use us. When Nathaniel followed Philip and met Jesus, his doubts were dealt with; his question answered. Good had indeed come out of Nazareth and he proclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel” John 1:49
Be blessed today and every day with the promise that “He that has begun a good work in you will surely complete it” Philippians 1:6.
Eddie.