Jesus a Nazarene Born in Bethlehem?

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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on December 5, 2010 at 5:37am

Carla,

Just a couple of thoughts. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but after Joseph received the dream to take the child to Egypt there is no record of them associating with the town again. They left due to the coming executions and when it was time to return they feared Herod's son and settled in Nazareth. Jesus lived there for about 25 to 28 years before starting His public ministry. His childhood and upbrining was all experienced in Nazareth. I have an aunt who was born in Tampa, but has lived in Montgomery Alabama for 40+ years. She acts like and talks like a person from Montgomery. She is a Floridian by birth, but Alabamian by nature. You would only know that she is a native Floridian if you asked here where she was born. If you ask her where she is from she would tell you Montgomery. Both are true. Another example, I am a Tampa native, but when traveling and someone asks where I am from I respond Gainesville, because that is where my home is now. Again, both are true statements.

When He began His ministry He came out of Nazareth. It is interesting that in John 7:41-42 the people discounted Him because they knew the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem, not Nazareth. He was born in Bethlehem, but raised as a Nazarene. Both are true statements about Him. I wonder if anyone ever took the time to ask Him where He was born after He started His public ministry?

Hope that helps some.

Lord Bless,
LT
TheNET Coordinator

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Permalink Reply by Carla on December 5, 2010 at 6:37am

Thank you LT. This does help..it makes sense.

I also found this: http://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/comm_topic.cfm?AuthorID=...

it is a teaching from David Hocking... One of the statements he made was that all sacrifical lambs had to come out of Bethlehem (without blemish). Jesus was born where sacrificial lambs were born, and HE died where sacrifical lambs died.

He also gave the OT prophecies that would tell of Jesus coming which were fulfilled--outlined in Matthew chapter 2:
Micah 5:2--Matthew 2:5
Hosea 11:1--Matthew 2:11
Jeremiah 31:15--i didn't write this one down he was talking so fast
Isaiah 11:1--i missed this verse in Matthew also...

I'm hoping to find more.. I believe that there is even more to find here. :-)

Thank you for your help--good thoughts..
Blessings, Carla

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Permalink Reply by RoyW on December 6, 2010 at 3:16am

Carla,

I would ask him why he thinks it is that way. This is a great sign. He is thinking. Defer to what he is thinking for just awhile and see where it leads.

Roy

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