Read: Matthew 2:23, Luke 2:39–40
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord,
they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth.
Luke 2:39
Joseph and Mary do everything they are supposed to do as spelled out in the Mosaic Law, which is recorded in the first five books of the Old Testament. The threat from Herod the Great is over.
Matthew and Luke tell us that once relocated to Nazareth, Jesus is raised there. Specifically, Matthew 2:23 refers to the prophets foretelling that Jesus will be called a Nazarene. What does this mean, because no one in the Old Testament directly called Jesus a Nazarene? Or did they?
The answer is yes! The prophet Isaiah referred to Jesus as the Branch coming out of the stem, or stump, of Jesse, David’s father (11:1). One of the Hebrew words for branch is netzer. And where did Jesus grow up, but in Netzeret, the place of the Branch. This is only the tip of the iceberg studying this word, but we must move on.
I love how Luke ends his account of this phase of Jesus’ life: “And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him” (Luke 2:40). This verse is the only information we have on the next decade or so of the young Messiah’s life. After that, we only know of one episode in Jesus’ childhood: when the family visits the temple during Passover when He is around 12 years old.
We know that through at least these first 12 formative years in Bethlehem, Egypt, and Nazareth, Joseph is alive. Luke’s glimpse paints a positive picture of these early years. We can assume that Jesus is like a normal child in many ways, yet without sin.
We can also conclude that Joseph slowly but surely begins to teach Jesus and His brothers the ways of his trade. This likely involves not only carpentry, but also stonework, because so much was constructed of stone in the first century. The Greek word for carpenter is tekton, which could be a craftsman or builder. Later in life, Jesus will be identified as the carpenter or carpenter’s son.
Unfortunately, Joseph is not directly mentioned in the years of Jesus’ ministry, and most assume he dies prior to this point. Jesus does have sisters, but their names are not mentioned. His brothers, however, are: James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas (Matthew 13:55). Now that’s a big family!
As we conclude today’s devotional and also our study on the birth of Jesus, let’s focus on our own children. Wouldn’t we all as parents want it said of our children what is said of Jesus? We want our kids to grow up healthy and strong, to be full of wisdom beyond their years, and for God’s grace to be on them. Make that your prayer for your children today.
Christmas is a time to celebrate new beginnings. One of those beginnings can be you becoming a better parent, a better spouse, and a better follower of Christ. Life is too short to live selfishly and to let friends, TV, the internet, etc. be the primary influence in your child’s life. God can use them in the days ahead in spite of you, but why not give parenting your all for His glory?!
