"Philip found Nathanael, and said unto him, We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip said unto him, Come and see." (John 1:45-46)
The name by which Jesus was distinguished while on earth was "Jesus of Nazareth."
"[Joseph] came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." (Matthew 2:33)
And after the ascension of Christ, that name was used in the performance of a mighty miracle. To the man who had never had the use of his legs, Peter said, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." (Acts 3:6)
In the economy of God there are no accidents. It was not an accident that Jesus was brought up from infancy in the town of Nazareth, and that He is known to this day as "Jesus of Nazareth." There is something for us in the frequent use of that title. What is it?
Consider the reputation of the people of Nazareth, and you have the answer. The estimation in which the place was held is indicated by Nathanael's question: "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46)
Philip expressed no surprise at this question, for nobody expected to hear of any good from Nazareth, and he did not attempt to defend the place, or to argue the case at all. The only thing he could say was, "Come and see." (John 1:46)
The place was so thoroughly bad that nobody would believe that there was any good in it unless he saw it for himself.
The word Nazareth means "separated." But the city of Nazareth was separated or distinguished by its general worthlessness. It was in that place that Jesus was brought up, yet He was a Nazarite indeed, separated and distinguished because of the goodness of His character. Under the very worst conditions, He developed a perfect character.
Was not this written for our encouragement and strength? How often we wish that we could get out of the conditions in which we find ourselves through no fault of our own, into a place where the conditions are more favorable for serving God. And because we are where we are, and our associates are so wicked and so much opposed to the truth, we persuade ourselves that we cannot be expected to do right. So we, like Felix, wait for a more convenient season, which too often never comes.
It is for help in just such cases that we are directed to Jesus of Nazareth. He was faithful to Him that called Him. He was just as good in Nazareth as in Bethany. Circumstances and associations had no effect on Him, for He trusted in God from childhood. "[He] went about doing good, ... for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38)
And the good which He did to suffering people was only the shining forth of the good that was in Him. If He had not resisted the evil influences which the devil threw around Him in Nazareth, He could not have healed those who were oppressed by the devil.
There is not a phase of human experience that Jesus has not passed through. No one is in such unfavorable circumstances for doing God's will as Jesus was. He knows all about us. And He is with us every day, even, to the end of the world.
He does not simply point to His achievements, to how He "endured such contradiction of sinners against himself," (Hebrews 12:3) but by the blessed and all-powerful Holy Spirit He comes into our hearts, to endure the same things still, and to make us "strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." (Ephesians 6:10)
Therefore, "Consider Him." (Hebrews 12:3) "Take the name of Jesus with you,"--[Lydia Odell Baxter (1809-1874), Hymn: Take the Name of Jesus With You.] even the name of Jesus of Nazareth. There are no associations so bad that Jesus cannot live a holy life in the midst of them, and it is He, not we, who gains the victory. "Thanks be unto God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57)--Present Truth, August 18, 1898--Original title: Back Page--Timeline: II-5 (The First Disciples)--John 1:45-46.