He would be called a Nazarene

The heart-wrenching atrocity committed by King Herod that saw to the killing of all male children under two years old in Bethlehem failed in its objective to eliminate the Messiah, the true heir to Israel’s throne. Having been warned about the impending massacre (Matthew 2:19-23), Joseph and Mary took their toddler son, Jesus, to the safety of Egypt. Sometime later, with the threat gone, Joseph received a message in a dream that it was safe to return to Israel, and to their hometown of Nazareth. Matthew’s gospel tells us that their return fulfilled a prophecy, “that he would be called a Nazarene.” This short and simple recounting of a somewhat bland episode in Jesus’ life nevertheless carries an important message for us in how God continues to move in the world, how the enemy responds to his movements and how we too ought to be engaged in all that is happening. I hope you’re eager to hear God’s Word and respond to it on Sunday morning.

Series: All This Took Place - Christmas Series
Todd Dugard
Message: 3 - He would be called a Nazarene
Harvest Bible Chapel
Text: Matthew 2:19-23
December 18, 2022

The coming of the Christ child makes me aware that...

...God is on the move (v. 19)

...and that Satan also is on the move (v. 20)

He was a man of great barbarity toward all men equally, and a slave to his passion.
Josephus

Revelation 12:4b-5
1 Peter 5:8

Thus, I should be on the move...

...actively obeying God’s Word (v. 21)

...and carefully discerning the times (v. 22)

...while normally living my life (v. 23)

Isaiah 53:2
Matthew 13:54b–56

There are no little people in God’s sight, so there are no little places. To be wholly committed to God in the place where God wants him—this is the creature glorified...This is the way of the Christian.
Francis Schaeffer