Imagine if you will, all “that “IT” – is not.”
It was not a good place to admit … coming from…
Why would anybody in their right mind admit – even being there?
It was not a “hot spot.” There was not even a sign of welcome at the city limits.
There was nothing there close to being of cultural interest. It was a small almost unnoticed exit ramp, not even numbered.
It was actually listed in the “worst cities to live in”…
It had no professional sport teams. No major restaurants. Not even a bowling alley!
No three-four-or five star hotels. Not even a Motel 6 or a Super Eight Motel.
It was not known for its “nightlife.”
There was no “mass transit” or any form of “public transportation” available.
It offered no music venues, no street art, no little quaint shops or boutiques…
There were no city parks or green spaces…no flowered gardens.
And to top it all off: there was no Leon’s, Gille’s, Kopp’s or even a Culver’s anywhere to be found.
It was not a coastal city or even located on a river bank.
It was considered “a dive.” It was a simple backwater dump…far from being a “healthy community.”
No one would put Nazareth on a “Curriculum Vitae”…to do so, would probably be a grave mistake.
No one on any form of “social media” would ever type in Nazareth as their “home” or “place of origin.”
It did not figure in any Hebraic Bible prophecies. No great personage had ever come from there.
There were no great schools, no colleges and no universities there…not even a Seminary or Rabbinical School. It was simply “no-wheres-ville…”
There was nothing there, save a Synagogue, Jewish Deli and a few small almost unknown businesses.
And, Jesus came from Nazareth. It was all, very un-impressive.
That old adage rings true: Do not judge a book by its cover….
Despite being from Nazareth – Jesus had “tons of things” going for him. It was not at all about – “where” he was from.
Location…location…location is not always everything.
This Jesus character – was full of surprises!
Jesus had insight and intuition. There was a savvy about him. He sensed things and seemingly “knew things” that even the best family upbringing, the choicest geographic setting and the best of schooling and education could not supply.
Jesus cared and had compassion. He was articulate…and he drew people to himself. Jesus was beyond humble.
And, Jesus had a command of the sacred writings…and was neither bigoted nor prejudicial. He was “a master story-teller,” healer and could perform all manner of signs and wonders. A great many people considered him to be “a prophet.” And he spoke with such authority, very much unlike “their priests and scribes.”
And yes, Jesus heralded from Nazareth. Located in the hill country of Galilee, an insignificant agricultural area – known for its “distinctive regional accent” and – for having a large population of Gentiles and all kinds of immigrants, foreigners and resident aliens…
Nazareth had “its challenges.”
And yet it was in Nazareth that Jesus was raised. It was in Nazareth that he likely attended Synagogue and recited Torah and learned the words of the Holy Scriptures.
It was in Nazareth that the Scripture says, Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature and in divine and human favor.”
Throughout his life…Jesus would carry with him – the name of his home community. The name of “that town” would be on the lips of the crowds who went before him or followed after him. The name of his town could be found on the lips of both ”angels and demons.”
For all of his days, he would be referred to – as being Jesus of Nazareth…or simply called, “the Nazarene.”
It is not about where you hail from…it is about “how you represent” the place.
Jesus put Nazareth on the map. And just so you know and are aware, “Yes something good…can even come out of a place like Nazareth…And in this case, we are talking…about something beautiful, wonderful, offering forgiveness, mercy, love and salvation and bringing light to the darkness of a very dreary and sometimes very dark world. Jesus brought light and life!