A Greater than Satan in Here

In Satan we have a great adversary (1 Peter 5:8), but in Christ we have a greater advocate (1 John 2:1). In Satan we have a great accuser (Revelation 12:10), but in Christ we have a greater intercessor (Romans 8:34). Satan is a great fiend (Ephesians 2:2), but Christ is a greater friend (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24).

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

I am in a strait betwixt two

A political post that will likely be disliked by the majority of readers on either side. In Texas in November, we will make a choice for U. S. Senator, predicted to be either Ken Paxton or James Talarico.

Almost three years ago I wrote the following about Ken Paxton:

The Republican Party platform says, “We affirm God’s biblical design for marriage and sexual behavior between one biological man and one biological woman, which has proven to be the foundation for all great nations in Western civilization” (p. 29). For some members of the Republican party, this may only be a generic plank to show a reason for the opposition to the marriage of people of the same gender. It certainly is and should be that, but it is more than that. It affirms “God’s biblical design for marriage and sexual behavior” – which Attorney General Ken Paxton has flaunted. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and we could forgive him for the sin of adultery. However, after this sin he multiplied sin upon sin. Attorney General Paxton lied to his wife, lied to his supporters, lied to Texas, continued to pursue the adultery he promised to put behind him, and used his position as Attorney General of the great State of Texas in his doing so! I do not and cannot trust liars.

Recently, I compiled the following about James Talarico:

As bad, and probably worse, is the religious ignorance—and deliberate misrepresentation—from an oleaginous seminarian aspiring to be a slick politician. James Talarico is a very liberal member of a very liberal PCUSA church in Austin, Texas. He does not accept the inspiration, infallibility, and authority of the Bible. The biblical positions he presents are biblical nonsense (though probably having wide appeal among those who like to pick and choose the parts of the Bible they like and don’t like). Talarico’s bizarre “biblical” claims include: God is nonbinary, there are six biological sexes, transgender men need abortion rights, Jesus was a feminist, Mary was a revolutionary and a poster child for “bodily autonomy” (demonically using the virgin birth to promote murdering babies), the teachings of Jesus do not cover homosexuality or abortion, the Gospel of Thomas was “later omitted from the Bible,” and salvation is not only through Jesus Christ, but all faith traditions lead to salvation (though we Bible believers know Jesus said, “if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins”).[i] James Talarico cloaks his political beliefs in spiritual rhetoric. The problem is that his spiritual rhetoric is of the worst kind, departing from two thousand years of general understanding about what is the orthodox teaching of the churches from Scripture. Over and over again, James Talarico’s views, judged by the Bible, are heretical! Summed up – like others he charges with being Christian nationalists, James Talarico also wants a “Christian nation” – just so long as it implements his version of “Christian.” It is a version of Christianity that many Bible-believing Christians will not recognize. I do not and cannot trust heretics. (And in this case, the religious heretics is also a liar, as can be seen in his attempts to rehabilitate his views for the statewide race.)

Paul said he was in a strait betwixt two – dying to be with Christ or living to serve for Christ. Literally, there were only two options. He would either live or die. However, in the race for the U. S. Senate in November, there actually are more than two options. In addition to Paxton and Talarico, the following people will apparently be on the ballot for U. S. Senator from Texas, November 3, 2026: Ted Brown (Libertarian), David B. Collins (Green Party), Joshua Cain, Ronald Evans, Camencia Ford, Jade Simmons, and Hans Truelson (Independents).

We have no reason to be in a strait betwixt two. There are choices, surely (possibly? hopefully?) at least one of whom would be more in line with Christian values and principles than immoral Paxton or ungodly Talarico. We do not have to choose the lesser of two evils, but rather can chose to vote for someone else. Until we grow a backbone, we will never change. I know the tired old line about only voting for either the Democrat or Republican, because one of them is bound to win. I hate the two-party control system, but that latter assessment is probably right. If so, is it not likely a sign that we are under God’s judgment, if he should raise up one of these two sorry rascals to represent us? Then again, regardless, maybe a rascal representing rascals is absolutely appropriate! Will we believe God, humble ourselves, and repent? The admonition to the people of Israel in 2 Chronicles 7:14 was not only to humble themselves, and pray, but also to seek God’s face, and turn from their wicked ways.

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[i] I have documented all the statements by Talarico, in context, and will eventually get around to posting a fuller exposure of his heresies. If you want to see it sooner, let me know.

An appeal to Jehovah’s Witnesses

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for [Jehovah’s Witnesses] is, that they might be saved.”

Ever since I was in Junior High school with a friend who was a Jehovah’s Witness, I have had an interest in their teachings and the people. (By interest in the teachings, I mean intrigued by them, not that I favor them in any way.) I still have the green-back New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures that Bruce gave me way back when.

Of the many things believed by Jehovah’s Witnesses, perhaps the most egregious is that they deny the deity of Jesus Christ. They say they believe that by exercising faith in Jesus (and good works) they gain everlasting life. They also say “we do not worship Jesus, as we do not believe that he is Almighty God.” Jehovah’s Witnesses are not Christians in the generally understood meaning of that term.

Though the deity of Christ is somewhat obscured by the New World Translation and its commentary, the teaching can be found in many places. Please consider these examples directly from your own version, the New World Translation. I present it with very little commentary so that you may solemnly and diligently examine it yourself. These are some of many verses that could be presented.

Conclusions about Jesus based on the New World Translation (follow link for online version).

Salvation is from God, Jehovah.

• Psalm 62:1-2  Indeed, I wait silently for God. My salvation comes from him. Indeed, he is my rock and my salvation, my secure refuge; I will never be greatly shaken.
• Jonah 2:9  But as for me, with the voice of thanksgiving I will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed, I will pay. Salvation is from Jehovah.”

Salvation is from Jesus.

• Acts 4:12  Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.”
• Titus 3:4-7  However, when the kindness of our Savior, God, and his love for mankind were manifested (not because of any righteous works we had done, but because of his own mercy), he saved us by means of the bath that brought us to life and by making us new by holy spirit. He poured this spirit out richly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that after being declared righteous through the undeserved kindness of that one, we might become heirs according to a hope of everlasting life.

Conclusion: Jesus is God.

Jesus, the Word, created all things.

• John 1:3  All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence.

God created all things.

• Ephesians 3:9  and should make everyone see the administration of the sacred secret that has been hidden through the ages in God, who created all things.

Conclusion: Jesus is God.

The Son (Jesus) laid foundations of the earth.

• Hebrews 1:8-12  But about the Son, he says: “God is your throne forever and ever, and the scepter of your Kingdom is the scepter of uprightness. You loved righteousness, and you hated lawlessness. That is why God, your God, anointed your with the oil of exultation more than your companions.” And: “At the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; and just like a garment, they will all wear out, and you will wrap them up just as a cloak, as a garment, and they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never come to an end.”

God laid the foundations of the earth.

• Psalm 102:24-26  I said: “O my God, Do not do away with me in the middle of my life, You whose years span all generations. Long ago you laid the foundations of the earth, And the heavens are the work of your hands.  They will perish, but you will remain; Just like a garment they will all wear out. Just like clothing you will replace them, and they will pass away.

Conclusion: Jesus is God.

John refers this testimony of glory to Jesus.

• John 12:37-41  Although he had performed so many signs before them, they were not putting faith in him, so that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, who said: “Jehovah, who has put faith in the thing heard from us? And as for the arm of Jehovah, to whom has it been revealed?”  The reason why they were not able to believe is that again Isaiah said: “He has blinded their eyes and has made their hearts hard, so that they would not see with their eyes and understand with their hearts and turn around and I heal them.”  Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory, and he spoke about him. (Saw whose glory? Jehovah’s: Isaiah 6:1)

Isaiah refers this testimony of glory to Jehovah.

• Isaiah 6: 9-11  And he replied, “Go, and say to this people: ‘You will hear again and again, But you will not understand; You will see again and again, But you will not get any knowledge.’  Make the heart of this people unreceptive, Make their ears unresponsive, And paste their eyes together, So that they may not see with their eyes And hear with their ears, So that their heart may not understand And they may not turn back and be healed.” At this I said: “How long, O Jehovah?” …

Conclusion: Jesus is Jehovah.

Jesus received the praise “Save” out of the mouth of children and infants, fulfilling Psalm 8:2.

• Matthew 21:15-16  When the chief priests and the scribes saw the marvelous things he did and the boys who were shouting in the temple, “Save, we pray, the Son of David!” they became indignant and said to him: “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them: “Yes. Did you never read this, ‘Out of the mouth of children and infants, you have brought forth praise’?”

The praise out of the mouth of children and infants in Psalm 8:2 was for Jehovah.

• Psalm 8:1-2  O Jehovah our Lord, how majestic your name is throughout the earth; You have set your splendor even higher than the heavens! Out of the mouth of children and infants you have established strength On account of your adversaries, To silence the enemy and the avenger.

Conclusion: Jesus is Jehovah.

Jehovah God is the first and last.

• Isaiah 44:6  This is what Jehovah says, The King of Israel and his Repurchaser, Jehovah of armies: ‘I am the first and I am the last. There is no God but me.
• Isaiah 48:12  Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I have called. I am the same One. I am the first; I am also the last.
• Revelation 1:8  “I am the Alʹpha and the O·meʹga,” says Jehovah* God, “the One who is and who was and who is coming, the Almighty.”

Jesus is the first and last.

• Revelation 1:17-18  When I saw him, I fell as dead at his feet. And he laid his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, and the living one, and I became dead, but look! I am living forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of the Grave.
• Revelation 2:8  “And to the angel of the congregation in Smyrʹna write: These are the things that he says, ‘the First and the Last,’ who became dead and came to life again:
• Revelation 22:13  I am the Alʹpha and the O·meʹga, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

Conclusion: Jesus is Jehovah God.

Please prayerfully consider the testimony of Jesus that remains in the New World Translation, even though the translators themselves did not believe it.

• John 5:39  “You are searching the Scriptures because you think that you will have everlasting life by means of them; and these are the very ones that bear witness about me [i.e., Jesus].
• 2 Timothy 2:9  ...the word of God is not bound.

Some thoughts on 1 John 5:6

1 John 5:6 - This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

What meaneth “he that came by water and blood”?

The meaning of “by water and blood” (δι’ ὕδατος καὶ αἵματος): Is related to his coming (v. 6). Therefore, historical over symbolic interpretation.[i] Was witnessed by the Spirit (vs. 6, 8). Was witnessed by man (the lesser witness, v. 9). John the Baptist was a witness of the baptism (Matthew 3:16-17; John 1:32-24). John the Apostle was a witness of the crucifixion (John 19:25-27; 1 John 1:2-3). The Spirit of God gives testimony to both.

“By water” refers to the first act of Jesus’s public earthly ministry by baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist (Mark 1:1, 9-11). At his baptism in water, he received the testimony of the Spirit, and well as the Father’s testimony of his divine Sonship. Compare 1 John 5:5, “believeth that Jesus is the Son of God,” with John 1:32-34 (as well as 1 John 5:9).[ii]

Luke 12:50 connects the ideas of baptism and death, his suffering and death a coming baptism Jesus is yet to be baptized with.

“By blood” refers to the finish of Jesus’s personal earthly ministry by shedding his blood in death on the cross (John 19:30). He came by the blood of his cross (cf. Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 9:12-14) Commentator Henry Alford wrote, “But these past facts in the Lord’s life are this abiding testimony to us, by virtue of the permanent application to us of their cleansing and atoning power.”[iii] See Acts 5:50-32.[iv] Additionally the resurrection is a witness of the Spirit to the approved ministry and death of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God (cf. Romans 1:4; 8:11).[v]

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[i] he that came/ ἐστιν ὁ ἐλθὼν is past tense (aorist active) referring to an historical event.
[ii] In memory of and corresponding to this witness is the Spirit-led immersion in water (1 Cor. 12:13) which is instituted as the initiatory rite for believers identifying with Christ.
[iii] The New Testament for English Readers, Volume II, Henry Alford. London: Rivingtons, 1872, p. 909. “They represent,—the water, the baptism of water which the Lord Himself underwent, and instituted for His followers,—the blood, the baptism of blood which He Himself underwent, and instituted for his followers. And it is equally impossible to sever from these words the historical accompaniments and associations which arise on their mention” (p. 908).

[iv] True faith (1 John 5:4-5) is rooted and grounded in real events that changed the course of history – Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross for sinners, and rose again for their justification. It was witnessed by both men and the Holy Spirit. The men have died, but left their witness in the inspired record. The Holy Spirit is alive and actively witnesses in the world and the hearts of men.

[v] With Romans 8:11, cf. also John 10:17-18. Regarding the Holy Ghost and the crucifixion, consider the presence of the Spirit at work in convicting the thief (Luke 23:42-43) and the centurion (Mark 15:29). Cf. Luke 23:46.

Some interesting connections of blood and water; though not necessarily shedding light on the text, interesting nevertheless.

• God turned the waters of the Nile and Egypt into blood, Exodus 7; Psalm 105:29.
• The blood of a bird and running water associated with cleansing the house of a leper, Leviticus 14.
• God made the Moabites see his miraculous water as if it were blood, 2 Kings 3:22.
• Pilate washed his hands in water to signify his claim that he was innocent of the blood of Jesus, Matthew 27:24.
• Blood and water came from Jesus’s side when pierced by the spear, John 19:34.
• The two witnesses had power to turn water into blood, Revelation 11:6.
• The third angel’s vial turned water into blood, Revelation 16:4.

The Birth and Early Days of Jesus

The Birth and Early Days of Jesus: a Chronological and Logical Harmonization of Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, John 1, and Galatians 4:4-5.

John 1:^{1-3, 14} The Word Made Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.

Matthew 1:¹⁸ The Virgin Birth Summary

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Luke 1:^26-38 Annunciation (Angelic Birth Announcement to Mary)

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:^39-56 Mary Lodges with Elisabeth (2 songs and 3 months)

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
as he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.

Matthew 1:^19-25 Annunciation (Angelic Birth Announcement to Joseph)

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:^1-7 The Nativity of Jesus

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:^8-20 Announcement (A Host of Angels and Shepherds Making Haste)

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:^21-38 Circumcision and a Visit to the Temple (Simeon and Anna)

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Matthew 2:^1-12 The Visit of the Wise Men

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Matthew 2:^13-18 The Flight to Egypt and Bloodshed in Bethlehem

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Matthew 2:^19-23 Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Journey to Nazareth

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of 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.

Luke 2:^39-40  The Growth of the Nazarene

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Galatians 4:^4-5 Fulfillment and Redemption

but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,to redeem them that were under the law...

Jesus and our sin

The Saviour of Sinners.

1 Timothy 1:15.

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

’Twas a heaven below,
The Redeemer to know,
And the angels could do nothing more;
Than to fall at his feet,
And the story repeat,
And the Saviour of sinners adore!

Introduction.

The regular non-Calvinistic missionary Baptists (Fundamental Baptists, Independent Baptists, Landmark Baptists, Missionary Baptists, Southern Baptists) of the Southland have become weak on the subject of sin: (1) weak theologically, using language moving toward a nature with a tendency to sin and away from an inherent and inherited sin nature; and (2) weak practically, in preaching against sin, and disciplining sin in the church (e.g., so that known public wickedness is tolerated for members in a local church). Both problems go hand in glove. 

In theology, notice for example the change from the 1833 New Hampshire Confession of Faith to the 1963 Southern Baptist Faith and Message (with language still the same in 2000).

NHCOF: “…in consequence of [the fall] all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.”

BFAM: “Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation.”

Ephesians 2:3 clearly states we are “by nature the children of wrath.” The 1963 modified the state of the sinner in the world, so that the posterity of Adam inherit “a nature and an environment inclined to sin” rather than “being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God.” In an 1889 debate with Campbellite J. A. Harding, Baptist J. B. Moody’s strongly worded proposition on depravity read thusly: “The Scriptures teach that man is so depraved in mind and heart that he is unable without a direct enabling power of the Holy Spirit to obey the Gospel of the Son of God.” 

Jesus came to save sinners and forgive sins, but he was not weak on sin. His rhetoric clearly and forcefully condemns sin. Notice these teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sin is an internal, inherent matter.

Mark 7:15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

Mark 7:20-23 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

There is none good, but God.

Mark 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

“Being evil” is an apt description of mankind.

Matthew 7: 11 If ye then, being evil…

• In this lesson on prayer, Jesus teaches that all people are evil (not just that they do evil, but that they are evil).

The self-recognizing sinner is commended, and the self-righteous Pharisee condemned.

Luke 18:13-14 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other…

None are without sin.

John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

We owe a debt we cannot pay.

Matthew 18:24-25 ten thousand talents…he had not to pay… 32 I forgave thee all that debt

• God’s forgiveness of sin is like the King forgiving his servant a debt he could not pay.

All need repentance.

Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Luke 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Conclusion.

Jesus and the Bible teaches our depravity is personal, inherited, complete. This whole person is affected by sin, in body, mind, spirit, and will, so that there is nothing good in any of us to commend to God. Only by the grace of God and Spirit of God can we be led to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. If we could pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, so to speak, The substitutionary crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross would be savage, senseless, and needlessly wrong. If we cannot determine the sickness, how can we determine the cure? God’s straight arrow of total depravity drives man from his self-reliance to a despair whose only relief is found by falling at the feet of a merciful Saviour!

If you do not properly abhor your sin, you cannot properly adore your Saviour.

My Lord and my God

John 20:24-31.

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Introduction:

The story of the unbelief of Thomas: (1) is found only in the Gospel of John; (2) is strong evidence of the inspiration of Scripture and the honesty of its writers; uninspired dishonest authors trying to promote a new human religion might well have hidden the fact that an apostle behaved as Thomas did here; yet it is opened to the gaze of all; (3) is both a startling and fulfilling lesson for Bible readers. This pericope faithfully records the absence, obstinance, and admission of Thomas the apostle.

1. Missing Thomas lost out by not assembling together with the other disciples.

• Thomas was absent the first time that Jesus appeared to the gathered disciples after his resurrection.

 Jesus stood in their midst. vs. 19-20

 Jesus pronounced peace upon them. vs. 19, 21

 Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on them. v. 22

• Thomas missed the blessing of seeing the resurrected Lord. He must remain in fear and confusion while the others received a blessing and were rejoicing (v. 20).

• Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

• We should not be absent from the assembly on the Lord’s day, without good reason. The sermon we miss may be the very one we need to hear. The prayers we do not hear, the songs we do not sing may be the very ones that would have cheered our hearts. The ministration of the Lord’s supper you miss may be the very one you needed to call the Lord’s death to your remembrance. Our spiritual health depends on the medicine God provides. Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Let us learn the value of meeting the Lord with his people, the value of assembling ourselves together. Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

2. Doubting Thomas received Jesus Christ’s patient and loving rebuke for slow learners and dull hearers.

• Thomas missed the meeting. The testimony about it by ten of his brethren had no effect on him.

• Thomas made a bold declaration. He obstinately refused their testimony and set himself in array against them. “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

 Hebrews 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

• Jesus brought “peace and not a sword.” He declared “Peace be unto you” and then proffered to Thomas the exact thing he demanded. If a thing is needed, that thing will be supplied. Nevertheless, the patient dealing and exacting offer are a rebuke of unbelief (cf. Mark 16:14).

• Thomas broke down under the weight of his Lord’s mercy and longsuffering, in true belief, cried out, “My Lord and my God!”

Let us learn the Lord is merciful, even in his rebukes of his people. Let us learn from his example to show mercy. Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan to a certain lawyer, then asked which was neighbor to the man who fell among thieves. (Luke 10:37). The lawyer answered, “He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” J. C. Ryle wrote, “Our Lord has many weak children in His family, many dull pupils in His school, many raw soldiers in His army, many lame sheep in His flock. Yet He bears with them all, and casts none away. Happy is that Christian who has learned to deal likewise with his brethren.”

3. Believing Thomas addressed Jesus Christ as God (without rebuke or denial by Jesus).

• The noble exclamation: “My Lord and my God!”

• Thomas’s exclamation and declaration can be taken as nothing other than a testimony of the divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. “the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him.”

• Mere Christians and even angels properly refuse the glory that belongs only to God. Jesus did not refuse it!

 When Cornelius fell at Peter’s feet, Peter said, “Stand up; I myself also am a man.” (Acts 10:26)

 When the Lystrans tried to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas, they tore their clothes and cried out, Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you.” (Acts 14:15)

 When John fell at the feet of the angel who showed him a vision, the angel said,” See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.”

• Luke 4:8 Jesus rebuked Satan: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

Let us learn and know that Jesus Christ is God. He alone, eternal God, shed his blood on the cross for our sins. Because he is God, “he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.” Let the atheist deny his existence, let the world deny his deity, let the liberal deny his efficacy – but let us, faithful and weak Christians alike, one and all, believe his deity, testify of his Lordship, and follow him where’er he goes! “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1 Timothy 3:16).

Conclusion:

• Jesus is the God who comes to us when we are afraid.

• Jesus is the God who speaks peace to our hearts

• Jesus is the God who knows our thoughts from far off.

• Jesus is God!

When Jesus died for our sins on the cross, even the hardened soldier of soldiers, the centurion who stood by the cross – seeing the darkness, hearing the voice of Jesus, feeling the earthquake, quaked and feared and cried out, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). They took Jesus down off that cross, they placed him in a borrowed tomb. His body fulfilled his promised three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40) – all day and all night Thursday, all day and all night Friday, all day and all night Saturday[i] – oh, but in the beginning of the first day of the week, he came up out of that tomb. He rose from the grave, he is not here, he is risen. He is coming back to receive us unto himself.

My Lord and my God!

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[i] With accommodation to our common usage of day and night rather than the biblical “evening and morning” were the day.
[ii] With credit for this idea developed from the thoughts of J. C. Ryle in his commentary on the Gospel of John.

Looking for a King

They all were looking for a king
To slay their foes, and lift them high:
Thou cam’st a little baby thing
That made a woman cry.

From “That Holy Thing” by George MacDonald

Names and Titles of Jesus

Some of the names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament are:

• Almighty
• Alpha and Omega
• Amen
• Apostle
• Bishop
• Bridegroom
• Captain of Salvation
• Chief Shepherd
• Christ
• Dayspring
• Door
• Emmanuel
• Faithful Witness
• Firstborn
• God
• Good Shepherd
• Governor
• Great Shepherd
• High Priest
• I am
• Image of God
• Jesus
• King of the Jews
• King of Kings
• Lamb of God
• Light of the World
• Life
• Lion of the tribe of Juda
• Lord
• Lord of Lords
• Master
• Messias
• Nazarene
• Only Begotten Son
• Passover
• Potentate (Blessed and Only)
• Rabboni and Rabbi
• Redeemer
• Resurrection (The) and the Life
• Rock
• Root of David / Root and Offspring of David
• Saviour
• Second Adam / Last Adam
• Shepherd
• Son of David
• Son of God
• Son of Man
• Son of the Highest
• Teacher
• True Vine
• Truth
• Way
• Witness
• Word / Logos

What would you add? Subtract?

Unclouded spiritual vision

In February of 1913 Benajah Harvey Carroll, Baptist preacher and president of Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, became seriously ill. Recovery seemed unlikely. During this time, his friends J. B. Cranfill and F. M. McConnell paid him a visit. During the visit, Carroll said the following words, which Cranfill published in The Baptist Standard. The words were later republished in other Baptist newspapers (below is quoted as published in Baptist and Reflector, Thursday, March 6, 1913, p. 9).

“Although I have suffered much and am still suffering greatly, my spiritual vision was never as unclouded as it is today. I know that Jesus is mine. Death has no terrors for me. I do not fear the river of death. When I shall press my feet up its shores the waters will divide, and I will go over dry shod. I know that God’s Book is true, that heaven is real, that Jesus Christ is my Redeemer and that He will welcome me into the Father’s house on high.”

Bad though it was, Carroll recovered from this illness. He did not die until over a year and a half later – November 1914. Nevertheless, his thoughts on the Bible, heaven, and Jesus were a blessing to many. Furthermore, these thoughts on the Bible, heaven, Jesus did not change between February 1913 and November 1914.

The Amen

Amen is an interjection used at the end of a prayer or a statement to express assent or approval.

amen (interjection). Old English, from Late Latin amen, from Ecclesiastical Greek amen, from Hebrew amen “truth,” used adverbially as an expression of agreement (as in Deuteronomy xxvii.26, I Kings i.36), from Semitic root a-m-n “to be trustworthy, confirm, support.”

Common English meanings of the word amen include “verily,” “truly,” “truth,” and “let it be so.” It is also used colloquially, to express strong agreement – AMEN! Old Testament, see “amen” to the curses, Deuteronomy 27. | Greek αμην “so be it” “I agree” “Truth.”

Amen is used 27 times in the King James English Old Testament, and 51 times in the King James English New Testament. In contrast, in modern versions in the New Testament: the NIV 30 times, ESV 29, NASB 29, LEB 27, and NET 26.

Usually αμην is translated verily or truly when it begins a sentence, and amen when it ends a sentence. All four gospels, all of Paul’s epistles, both of Peter’s epistles, three of John’s epistles, and the epistle of Jude (a total of 24) end with “Amen.” The ones that do not are Acts, James, and III John.

Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Jesus Christ is the “Amen” in his very substance. Rev. 3:14. Jesus does not just say “Amen,” he is “the Amen.” He is the truth (John 1:17; 14:6; Rev. 19:11). He is the so be it (John 1:1ff. Genesis 1:1ff).

Jesus Christ is the “Amen” of his word. Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure… John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Jesus Christ is the “Amen” in his promises. 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Psalm 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. Matthew 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

Jesus Christ is the “Amen” of salvation. John 3:3, 5 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (Neither is there salvation in any other.)

Weeping in Ramah

Weeping in Ramah, a Common Meter hymn written December 18, 2012.

1. A petty king whose heart inflamed
Because a child was born;
Deigned many children had to die
Lest they might be that one.

2. The wise men sent by God had told
How God had birthed a king.
Thus Herod doubly troubled was
When he had heard this thing.

3. By guile he thought the wise men would
Be tricked to name the place,
Where the babe was, King of the Jews –
Where Jesus safely lay.

4. But wise men, being warned by God
Departed another way.
And Joseph, too, a warning had
To Egypt make their stay.

5. While Joseph ran and Herod raged,
To weeping Ramah fell;
Bethlehem’s sons less two in age
Are slain — no longer live.

6. Oh, hush, onlooker, be thou still;
Lament for Ramah’s loss.
Then for yourself, lament again—
See Jesus on the cross!

7. This native child of Bethlehem,
Had come himself to die;
To save his people from their sins
And raise them up on high.

8. Evil and sin obscure our skies,
And mourning comes in view;
But Jesus won the victory—
So there’s rejoicing, too.

The Nazarene

But when he [i.e., Joseph] heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of 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.[i] Matthew 2:22-23.

The historical incident

Matthew 2:23 records the historical incident of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus journeying from the land of Egypt to the city of Nazareth. After coming out of their exile of safety in Egypt, they returned to Nazareth. Because of God’s warning, they did not stop in Judæa but continued on to their former home in Galilee. There Jesus grew from boyhood to manhood (cf. Luke 2:51-52; 4:16).

Nazareth was a village in the region of Galilee, part of the land of Naphtali (Joshua 21:32; 2 Kings 15:29, et al.). Galilee bordered and was west of the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee. Isaiah 9:1 suggests a region jutting into or surrounded by “the nations,” Gentiles, a non-Jewish population (cf. Matthew 4:15). Magdala (Matthew 15:39), Tiberias (John 6:1, 23), and Capernaum (Matthew 4:13) were on the Sea of Galilee. Nazareth and nearby Cana (John 2:1ff.) were about halfway between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea.

As cities go, Nazareth was small and insignificant. Neither the Hebrew Old Testament, the Apocrypha, the writings of Josephus, nor the Talmud mention the city of Nazareth. It first shows up in the Bible in the Gospels, as the town of Mary and Joseph (cf. Luke 1:26; 2:4; Matthew 2:23; 4:13).[ii] Joseph and Mary had lived in Nazareth before traveling to Bethlehem because of the taxation (cf. Luke 2:4-5), and thither they eventually return.

One commonly accepted belief about the origin of the name of the city is that it derives from the Hebrew word netzer (or nēser, netser נֵצֶר). The Old Testament Hebrew uses this word four times, including Isaiah 11:1.[iii]

“…the name, Nazareth, is from the Hebrew word netzer, which is translated ‘branch’ in the English language. Several of the Old Testament prophets predict the coming of Christ as ‘the Branch,’ or a synonymous term.”[iv]

Concerning the name of the city, John Gill writes:

A Nazarene, as David de Pomis says,{[v]}

“is one that is born in the city Netzer, which is said to be in the land of Galilee, three days journey distant from Jerusalem.”

The prophetical equivalent

The historical incident of Jesus’s family returning to Nazareth coincides with the fulfillment of prophecy. Matthew explicitly and unequivocally connects Jesus being a called “a Nazarene” with his dwelling in Nazareth.[vi] What is the prophecy? What does it mean?

In its simplest meaning, a Nazarene is a man from Nazareth.[vii] But why is “a Nazarene” significant? We cannot search the Old Testament and find the word Nazareth, much less Nazarene. Note that in verse 23 Matthew writes prophets plural, rather than citing one specific prophet. Rather than “fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet,” it is “fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets.” Compare Matthew 1:22; 2:15, 17; 3:4; 4:14; 8:17 and other places, where he is stating a specific prophecy by a specific prophet. This should shortly (or at least eventually) suggest to us that Matthew is connecting a theme of prophecy, a general sense, rather than a direct statement found in one particular place.

But what is that theme? What is the sense? Unlike Bethlehem, the town of King David where Jesus was born, Nazareth was an obscure town in a despised region of the country. Commenting on Matthew 2:23, Matthew Henry wrote:

“Thither they were sent, and there they were well known, and were among their relations; the most proper place for them to be in. There they continued, and from thence our Saviour was called Jesus of Nazareth, which was to the Jews a stumbling-block, for, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” [and “out of Galilee ariseth no prophet” they thought.]

Henry continues on this theme:

“…He shall be called a Nazarene. Which may be looked upon…As a name of reproach and contempt…Now this was not particularly foretold by any one prophet, but, in general, it was spoken by the prophets, that he should be despised and rejected of men (Isa. liii. 2, 3), a Worm, and no man (Ps. xxii. 6, 7), that he should be an Alien to his brethren, Ps. lxix. 7, 8.”

Albert Barnes put it this way.

“He does not say ‘by the prophet,’ as in Matthew 1:22; Matthew 2:5, Matthew 2:15, but ‘by the prophets,’ meaning no one prophet particularly, but the general character of the prophecies. As Jerome observes,[viii] he shows that he took not the words from the prophets, but only the sense.”[ix]

The high and holy eternal Son of God became the meek and lowly (Matthew 11:29; Zechariah 9:9), of no reputation, the reputation of a Nazarene. The prophets, plural, prophesied this theme about the Messiah to come. Jesus fulfilled it.

Prophets prophesy

• Psalm 22:6-8 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
• Psalm 69:7-8a Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children.
• Psalm 118:22  The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
• Isaiah 53:2-3 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
• Isaiah 53:12 …he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
• Daniel 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off…
• Zechariah 9:9 …behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Jesus Christ fulfills

• Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
• Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
• Luke 17:25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.
• John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
• John 1:46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
• John 7:52 They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.
• John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
• Acts 3:14-15 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
• Philippians 2:6-8 …Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
• Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death…

Called a “Nazarene” i.e., Jesus of Nazareth, by:

• a multitude in Jerusalem (Jesus the prophet of Nazareth ιησους ο προφητης ο απο ναζαρεθ, Matthew 21:11)
• a maid in Jerusalem (Jesus of Nazareth ιησου του ναζωραιου, Matthew 26:71; του ναζαρηνου ιησου ησθα Mark 14:67  )
• by demons (Jesus of Nazareth ιησου ναζαρηνε, Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34)
• a crowd on the Jericho road, heard by blind Bartimæus (Jesus of Nazareth ιησους ο ναζωραιος, Mark 10:47; Luke 18:37)
• an angel (ιησουν ζητειτε τον ναζαρηνον Mark 16:16)
• disciples on the way to Emmaus (Jesus of Nazareth ιησου του ναζωραιου Luke 24:19)
• Philip (Jesus of Nazareth ιησουν τον υιον του ιωσηφ τον απο ναζαρεθ John 1:45)
• officers of the priests (Jesus of Nazareth ιησουν τον ναζωραιον, John 18:5, 7)
• someone writing by the authority of Pilate (Jesus of Nazareth ιησους ο ναζωραιος, John 19:19)

In an ingenious display of the low and humble estate of Jesus, Luke 4:28-30 shows that even the despised citizens at the synagogue of the despised city of Nazareth despise and reject Jesus the Nazarene, intending to cast him down the brow of the hill on which Nazareth was built. Oh, the power and wonder, too – “But he passing through the midst of them went his way.” See Matthew 13:54-58, another occasion where “they were offended in him” and showed him no honour – he whom they contemptuously considered the native carpenter’s son. Although the Nazarene prophet was without honour in his own country, in his own city, in his own house, yet at the name of the Nazarene carpenter’s son every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess “that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The Lowly Nazarene (by William Henry Gardner, 1866-1932).

1. Jesus knows earth’s cares and sorrows,
Through Death’s valley has He been,
At the bench He toiled and suffered,
Christ, the “Lowly Nazarene.”
 
2. His great heart will bear our burdens,
On Him you can ever lean,
He knows all our hopes and longings,
Christ, the “Lowly Nazarene.”
 
3. Comfort gives He to the beggar,
Freely as unto a Queen,
For His love indeed is boundless,
Christ, the “Lowly Nazarene.”
 
Chorus:
Lord of earth and sky forever,
Christ, the Lord, with pow’r supreme!
Born of woman in a manger,
Once a “Lowly Nazarene.”

We see Jesus the Nazarene, the Son of God who made himself of no reputation, lower than the angels for the suffering of death – the death we deserved and his death that paid the penalty for sin. With the songwriter Charles H. Gabriel, “I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.”

Amen.

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[i] 23 και ελθων κατωκησεν εις πολιν λεγομενην ναζαρεθ οπως πληρωθη το ρηθεν δια των προφητων οτι ναζωραιος κληθησεται Matthew 1:23 in 1894 Textus Receptus.
[ii] Some mythicists (people who think that Jesus never existed) place high stock in the fact of lack of prior mention, hoping to use it to support their own myth. However, neither faith nor facts support their diversion. In 2009, Israeli archaeologists found what they believed were the remains of a dwelling in Nazareth that can be dated to the time of Jesus. Archaeologist Yardena Alexandre, excavations director at the Israel Antiquities Authority, said that their finds suggested that Nazareth was a small out-of-the-way city populated by Jews of modest means. See “Nazareth dwelling discovery may shed light on boyhood of Jesus,” as well as “Did First-Century Nazareth Exist” and “Jesus’ House? 1st-Century Structure May Be Where He Grew Up.”
[iii] For four uses of netzer (sprout, shoot, branch) in Old Testament, see Isaiah 11:1; 14:19; 60:21; Daniel 11:7.
[iv] Old Testament in Matthew, Volume I, J. W. Griffith, Pasadena, TX: White Printing, 1994, p. 28.
[v] De Pomis, 1525-after 1593, a notable Italian Jewish physician and philosopher, in Ẓemaḥ Dawid (i.e., The Offspring of David), Hebrew Lexicon, fol. 141. 2., 1587.
[vi] Nazarene – an inhabitant of the village of Nazareth. This has been often confused with Nazarite. A common misreading or misinterpretation of “Nazarene” is that it means “Nazarite.” However, Matthew does not say Nazarite, and Jesus was not a Nazarite.
[vii] Followers of the Nazarene were sometimes called Nazarenes. “For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:” (Acts 24:5). In addition, sometimes “Christians are called Notzrim by Israelis in the Middle East.” See “Jesus “the Nazarene” – what is behind the title?”
[viii] Et veniens habitavit in civitate, quae vocatur Nazareth ut adimpleretur quod dictum est per prophetas, quoniam Nazareus vocabitur. Si fixum de Scripturis posulsset exemplu, numquam diceret, quod dictum est per prophetas; sed simpliciter, quod dictum est per prophetam: nune autem pluraliter prophetas vocans, ostendit se non verba de Scripturis sumpsisse, sed sensum. Nazaraeus, sanctus interpretatur. Sanctum autem Dominum futurum, omnis Sciptura commemorat. Possumus et aliter dicere, quod etiam verbis, juxta Hebraicam veritstem in Isaia scriptum sit: Esiet virga de radice Iesse, et Nazaraeus de radice ejus conscendet (Isai. xi. i.). | English translation: And coming, he dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. If he had asked for a fixed example from the Scriptures, he would never have said what was said through the prophets; but simply, what was said by the prophet: but now, calling the prophets in the plural, he shows that he did not take the words from the Scriptures, but the sense. A Nazarene, the Spirit interpreted. And all the Scriptures mention the coming of the Holy Lord. We can also say in another way, that even in words, according to the Hebrew truth, it is written in Isaiah: A rod shall come from the root of Jesse, and a Nazarene shall come up from his root. (Isai. xi. i.). Jerome’s Commentary on Matthew.
[ix] Barnes sums up the view of Jesus the Nazarene as one despised in four points: 1. He does not say “by the prophet,” as in Matthew 1:22; Matthew 2:5, Matthew 2:15, but “by the prophets,” meaning no one particularly, but the general character of the prophecies. 2. The leading and most prominent prophecies respecting him were, that he was to be of humble life; to be despised and rejected. 3. The phrase “he shall be called” means the same as he shall be. 4. The character of the people of Nazareth was such that they were proverbially despised and contemned, John 1:46; John 7:52. To come from Nazareth, therefore, or to be a Nazarene, was the same as to be despised, or to be esteemed of low birth; to be a root out of dry ground, having no form or comeliness. This was what had been predicted by all the prophets.