Jesus the Nazarene
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Series: The Birth of A King
DescriptionIntro: The shadow-side of Christmas…. Matthew 2: 13-23• Luke uses Simeon to remind us of the shadow-side Tell the Story of old Simeon (Luke 2: 25ff) This child is appointed for the fall and rise of many In Israel, an as a sign to be Opposed --- and a sword Will pierce even your own soul! • Not all angels singing and warm fuzzy feelings! T/S – Matthew’s account of the birth also has a shadow-side Matthew 2: 13-23 How is Jesus as Nazarene connected to the OT Messianic Prophecies? a) Notice one letter in vs. 23…. “s”… Prophets, not Prophet Cf. – 1:22 (Isaiah); 2:5(Micah), 15(Hosea), 17(Jeremiah) “Nazarene” fulfills a broad theme of the prophetic material Concerning the Messiah…. Not a quote… The Messiah will be Despised and Rejected… …. A Nobody from Nowhere b) Used as a term of derision in Gospels Nathaniel, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Peter in Caiphas’s Courtyard…. Nazarene… sound like a Hick from Galilee! “Jesus, the Nazarene, the King of the Jews” (bitter sarcasm toward both Jesus and the Jews) c) “He shall be Called a Nazarene” At best, obscurity……. At worst, depravity All their contempt condensed into one word, “Nazarene” (The said it with a sneer) ILL – Julie helped me understand… Jekyll Island Croquet • Describe court… dressed in all white…elegant • Sweats and jeans, twirling sticks and talking trash • Manager will be happy when the okies clear the court! T/S – “Nazarene” was a term of derision that has become a term of endearment! Much like “Okie”…. … Poor, Needy, Dirty, Nobodies…. Much of the time, when Jesus was called a Nazarene, the word was enunciated with a subtle, sarcastic, sneer! I stand amazed in the Presence of Jesus the Nazarene…. Each time I hear the Title, I am reminded of some Timeless Truths A Practical Truth…. Beware the tendency to diminish people because of Background! (small town; poor education; accent; dress; race …) • A Most Common Human Tendency • One of the ugliest forms of Pride! The man who changed the world came from Nazareth. 1 Corinthians 1: 26-30 The Church has always been a bunch of Nobodies from Nowhere who know the Nazarene. A Powerful Truth… Jesus came to Suffer Exp – The crown of thorns ill soon pierce that tender brow. The shadow of the Cross was cast even over the Craddle. Jesus came to Suffer and Die… Crucifixion makes the Incarnation still more marvelous! Isaiah 53:3 Man of Sorrows, what a Name, for the Son of God Who came; Ruined sinners to reclaim; Halleluyah! What a Savior! A Personal Truth… You Can Reject Jesus Exp – Jesus, the Nazarene, is a gentle, humble, Savior. He will not Overwhelm you. In your Pride, you can Reject Him. He will respect the Integrity of your “No.” |