Where's the Respect?

In moving us back to Texas my husband found a place in a small town just outside San Antonio. He was so excited about the find, that is, until he told me the name of the town. His side of the phone was met with instant silence. "There?" was all I could think. I was not thrilled but, I opted to give it a look-see.

To my surprise the town had spruced itself up and exposed its charming features. Within weeks we all fell in love with the area. It offered the small town life we had become accustomed to, with quick accessibility to the big city.

Nazareth had the same issues. It had a great location...on a hidden plain near the top of a hill not far from the international highway and there was work to be had in the building up of nearby Sephoris. The road up to Nazareth was a steep narrow winding climb, so strangers did not travel there much. On the far side of town was a cliff which, by the way, had a great view of the Jezreel Valley and Mt Tabor.

It too was thought to be insignificant in value as a town goes.

It sat in the lower region of the Galilee. The people of the area were known for having parties like the Romans; friendly dealings with strangers who crossed the region; not taking the rabbinical law seriously and neglecting traditions; having eight other gods worshiped there; poorly speaking Hebrew while attempting to add Greek to their vernacular. Overall, they were thought to be warm-hearted, impulsive, generous, conscientious, earnest, hot-blooded, hard working, brave, manly, and more concerned with honor than money. (Sketches of Jewish Social Life by Alfred Edersheim; Day of Discovery)

It is no wonder the thoughts and attitudes of the day were reflected in what Nathanael stated, "is there anything good that can come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46-50)

As Jesus began his ministry the people of Judea had to overcome the fact that he came from an insignificant town in the non-respected area of the nation.

The combination of this with the fact that he was speaking with authority, healing, forgiving, being recognized as being sent by God, and giving the pharisees what-for in his answers to their unanswerable questions would have peaked people's curiosities.

What did they find? He was something good. Yes, he continued to talk to and help gentiles, Romans, and (gasp) women. He rocked the boat in the lives of everyone who had contact with him.

But those who got to know him, really know him, found he was worthy of their time and attention even if he did come from Nazareth in the Galilee. He was worthy of dedicating their lives to. He still is.