December 10

Today's Reading: Matthew 2:19-23

Verse 23 is interesting because there is no direct prophecy in the Old Testament that indicates the Messiah would come from Nazareth. In fact, there is some evidence in the New Testament that the people weren't expecting him to come form there.

There are several possible explanations, but the most likely, in my opinion, is that Matthew is using Nazareth as a picture of a people who were despised by their fellow Jews. And the idea that the Messiah would be mocked and despised is certainly found in the Old Testament:

            But I am a worm and not a man,
      scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
            All who see me mock me;
      they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
Psalm 22:6–7 (ESV)

            He was despised and rejected by men,
      a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
                  and as one from whom men hide their faces
      he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 53:3 (ESV)

The birth of Jesus that we celebrate at Christmas is a reminder that Jesus came to this earth for our benefit and that He was willing to be despised for our good.