Jesus: Name Above All Names — Nazarene

And he 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 2:23)

Very simply Nazarene means “of Nazareth.”

This title appears frequently.

• It is used as a description of Jesus by Himself (Acts 22:8).

• The Jews used to describe Jesus with much contempt (Acts 6:14).

• The full name is used twice as a solemn designation (Acts 3:6; 4:10).

• The apostles spoke of Him using this title (Acts 2:22; 6:14; 26:9)

Those who followed Jesus were nicknamed Nazarenes (Acts 24:5)

There is no specific prophecy in the Old Testament that mentions that Jesus is to be a Nazarene. So how are we to understand Matthew 2:23?

First, Matthew says prophets. It appears that Matthew is drawing attention to the thrust of Old Testament prophecy about the Christ rather than one passage.

Jesus went to Galilee so that what was written about him in the prophets would be fulfilled, and we see this in his being called a Nazarene, a citizen of an obscure and unimportant town.

Nazarene became a title that would come to signify shame and humiliation. Men came to speak of nazarene as a term of scorn, simply because of Nazareth’s obscurity and poverty.

We are to understand the prophets point to one who would be despised and rejected, and Jesus as fulfilling this prophecy by his connection with obscure Nazareth.

Questions:

1.         What does Nazarene mean?

2.         Where is Nazareth?

3.         What nickname were followers of Jesus called?

4.         What is the significance of Nazareth?

5.         What is the theological importance of Jesus being a Nazarene?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for Jesus the Nazarene. I am so thankful that he humbled Himself and took on flesh and died on the cross for my sins. May I never forget what Jesus has done for me. For there is salvation in no other name than the name of Jesus. In His name, Amen.

Hymn:                         The Lowly Nazarene by William Henry Gardner

1 Jesus knows earth’s cares and sorrows,
Through Death’s valley has He been,
At the bench He toiled and suffered,
Christ, the “Lowly Nazarene.”.

Refrain:

Lord of earth and sky forever,
Christ, the Lord, with pow’r supreme!
Born of woman in a manger,
Once a “Lowly Nazarene.”

2 His great heart will bear our burdens,
On Him you can ever lean,
He knows all our hopes and longings,
Christ, the “Lowly Nazarene.” [Refrain]

3 Comfort gives He to the beggar,
Freely as unto a queen,
For His love indeed is boundless,
Christ, the “Lowly Nazarene.” [Refrain]

Jesus: Name above All Names — Master

Matthew 23:8, 10

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. . . .¹⁰ Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

John 13:13

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

The most common title used by others of Jesus was Lord or Master.

The Greek word despotes represents one who has absolute ownership and controlled power.

Jesus spoke of Himself as Master eight times (Matt. 10:24; 25, 26:18; Mark 14:14; Luke 6:40; 22:11; John 13:14).

He was spoken of as Master by others ten times (Matt. 9:11, 17:24; Mark 5:35; Luke 5:5, 8:24, 9:33, 49, 17:13; John 11:28, 13:13).

The constant use of this title by the disciples reveals their close relationship to the Master, and is an acknowledgment of Him as their superior officer – chief commander, leader.

In Christ we have the greatest Master in that He is perfect in His treatment of his servants – so kind, understanding, considerate and sympathetic.

Do we claim him as our Master? If so, does he have absolute control over all we are and have?  Are we His love slaves?

Is He your Master?

Since He has promised to meet your every need, trust and obey Him.

What a relief it is in a practical Christian life to cultivate the habit of distinctively turning to the Master when needs and difficulties arise.

Questions:

1.         What is the most common title used by others of Jesus?

2.         What does this title mean?

3.         What type of relationship does this title infer?

4.         What type of Master is Jesus?

5.         If he is our Master, what is to be our response to Him?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Jesus is Lord and Master. How often do we really relate to Him that way? It is a comfort to know that he is in control and is sovereign. I am His servant. Let me trust and obey Him. Let me rest in his leadership of my life. My life is yours. In His name, Amen.

Hymn:

Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim
by Charles Wesley
https://hymnary.org/text/ye_servants_of_god_your_master_proclaim

1 You servants of God, your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad his wonderful name;
the name all-victorious of Jesus extol;
his kingdom is glorious and rules over all.

2 God rules in the height, almighty to save;
though hid from our sight, his presence we have;
the great congregation his triumph shall sing,
ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.

3 “Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!”
let all cry aloud, and honor the Son;
the praises of Jesus the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.

4 Then let us adore and give him his right:
all glory and power, all wisdom and might,
all honor and blessing with angels above
and thanks never ceasing for infinite love.

Jesus: Name Above All Names — Lamb of God

²⁹ The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. ³⁰ This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. ³¹ And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. ³² And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. ³³ And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. ³⁴ And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
(John 1:29-34)

Where is the Lamb?

The first time the word “lamb” is mentioned in the Bible is Genesis 22:7, when Isaac asked his father, Abraham, “Where is the Lamb?

Abraham replies, “God himself will provide a Lamb? Of course he meant for that instance of sacrifice and worship, but he also meant of the one that God had promised.

In one sense, the message of the Bible can be summed up in this title. The question in the Old Testament is “Where is the Lamb?”

The next appearance of the word “lamb” is in connection with Passover. God had instructed each family to have a lamb, to kill it, eat it, and sprinkle its blood on the door posts. This was a picture of the One, God had promised to come.

The other OT appearances of the word “lamb” are in connection with the sacrifices that God had instructed Israel to perform.

People of Israel were familiar with the lambs for the sacrifice. Those lambs were not sufficient to take away sin, but the lamb of God can take away sin.

Though Israel sought a Messiah who would be a prophet, king and conqueror, God had to send them a lamb, too. And He did.

The Lamb is here!

The Old Testament question is: Where is the Lamb? The New Testament answers: “He is here!”

The Lamb of God foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross for the sin of the world.

The first time the word “lamb” appears in the New Testament is in John 1:29.

It appears next in 1 Peter 1:19 where Peter is explaining redemption.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”

The next appearance of the word “lamb” is in Revelation where we see that worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and honor and glory.

The last appearance is in Revelation 22 where the Lamb of God is ruling from His throne. Jesus is the Lamb of God.

He was born on Christmas morn, but He was born to die. He came to take away the sin of the world. Although His blood is able to save all; He only saves those who come to Him and accept the gift of salvation that He offers.

Will you come and let Jesus, the Lamb of God, take away your sin?

Questions:

1.         What is the Old Testament question?

2.         What is the New Testament answer?

3.         How are lambs used in the Old Testament?

4.         Why is Jesus called the Lamb of God.

5.         What is the Lamb worthy to receive?

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Thank you, Jesus, for taking away my sin. It is because of your sacrifices that I am forgiven and made whole. May I live a live pleasing to you and share with others that Jesus takes away sin. In His name, Amen.

Hymn:                         Behold the Lamb of God  by Matthew Bridges

1 Behold the Lamb of God!
0 Thou for sinners slain,
Let it not be in vain
That Thou hast died!
Thee for my Savior let me take,
My only refuge let me make
Thy pierced side.

2 Behold the Lamb of God!
Into the sacred flood
Of Thy most precious blood
My soul I cast.
Wash me and make me pure and clean,
Uphold me through life’s changeful scene,
Till all be past.

3 Behold the Lamb of God!
All hail, incarnate Word!
Thou everlasting Lord,
Purge out our leav’n.
Clothe us with godliness and good;
Feed us with Thy celestial food,
Manna from heav’n.

4 Behold the Lamb of God!
Worthy is He alone
To sit upon the throne
Of God above,
One with the Ancient of all days,
One with the Paraclete in praise,
All Light, all Love!