Christmas Advent Devotional | Day 10
Advent – Day 10
Your handicap can be your greatest strength. Lived in a village with about 500 residents, a former garrison held in contempt. Yet he rose to become the Savior of the world. Remember that Advent means “coming,” and we are taking time to reflect on the birth of Jesus in this Christmas season, and it’s significance to each one of us. We are continuing our journey in the second chapter of Matthew, where we left off yesterday.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 2:22-23
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene..
Devotional Thoughts
Still following the direction of the Lord through dreams, Joseph led his family out of Egypt, to return to the land of Israel. Within Israel, he was prompted to withdraw to Galilee, in the lowly area of Nazareth. Why is this important for us to know? Perhaps you remember Nathanael’s reaction when Jesus was introduced to him as being from Nazareth. Nathanael’s question was, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). Nazareth would be that town in your region or city that no one wanted to be associated with. It was a village in the northern parts of Galilee with about 500 residents. It was also the location of the Roman garrison, where the residents were suspected of compromise with the enemy.1 It was a place associated with contempt, which is why Nathanael’s initial reaction was of immediate doubt. Why would the Messiah come from there?
Aside Christ being born in a lowly manger, his association with Nazareth emphasized his humanity, his humble estate and the lowliness of his earthly roots. His low estate however did not take away from the seed of royalty that was on the inside of Him. It did not hinder the manifestation of His destiny as the Messiah, as the Savior of the world, or as the one who brought light and truth. There may be handicaps that we are either born with or come to realize with the passage of time. Physical handicaps and mental ones. There are hindrances that are implanted within our souls by the enemy who specializes in creating low self-esteem, hopelessness, pessimism and defeatism. These are false witnesses against us. The truth is that in Christ, we are triumphant, in spite of our handicaps. In Christ, we are victorious, no matter what the circumstance around us is saying. In Christ, your handicap can be your greatest strength (2 Corinthians 12:10). Receive that switch of illumination in your spirit!
Christ – The Nazarene
Even though there is no direct Old Testament quote calling Christ a Nazarene, there is an amalgamation of truths that point to this. The first being the sum of Matthew’s previously referenced Old Testament prophecies. He has so far quoted from Micah 5:2 (Jesus will be born in Bethlehem); Hosea 11:1 (He would be called out of Egypt); Jeremiah 31:15 (The mourning triggered by slaughter of sons) and Numbers 24:17 (He will be a descendant of Jacob). There are other prophets he quoted from as well, and the sum of these point to Christ being a Nazarene in character. The second thing to consider is the word “Nazarite,” which means “separated one.” The words association of “Nazareth” with “Nazarite” also comes into play, pointing to Christ as the Separated One.
The third thing is the Isaiah 11:1 scripture that refers to the Messiah as The Branch. The word “branch” is the word nezer in Hebrew. Again, another association with “Nazareth.” These truths, combined with the weighty implication of a Nazarene being a person of contempt speak of Christ as the Branch, Christ as the separate one, and Christ the lowly son of man. In summary, the Nazarene. Yet, his destiny was greater than his label, and He accomplished far more than the shackles and restrictions of his birth.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you that there is nothing in my past or my present that is beyond your salvation. I thank you also that there is nothing in my past that hinders me from rising to accomplish mighty things by your grace. Help me not to dwell on the things that have been an issue in times past, but rather to look to you, my Savior and Restorer toward a great future. I surrender my life into your hands. I trust your path for my life. Thank you for your plans concerning me, and for greater things ahead. In Jesus Name. Amen.
1 NKJV Study Bible Full Color, 3rd Edition. Matthew 2:23 note.
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Christmas Advent Devotional Day 9
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