LEAVING NAZARETH
Matt. 4:13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
Since our times and bounds are appointed by the Lord in order that we may find him, (Acts 17:26-27), we must neither go to a place, nor leave it without being led of the Holy Spirit! The Lord Jesus was both led to Nazareth and left there, only by the Spirit’s leadership! (Matt 2:23, 4:14). Listen at Luke 4:14! And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: And this was no less proof than his Father’s voice proclaming him to be his well-pleasing Son at his baptism! Rom. 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Both the Father’s voice, and the Spirit’s leadership answered Satan’s question, “If thou be..!”
And the two names in whose borders he would be frequenting were so named in the struggles for births! For these are the names given the sons of Jacob as his wives were striving in birth! The God man would now be “Dwelling” (Zabulon – Gen. 30:20), with those who must be born again! And in this responsibility there would be the spiritual “Wrestlings of God” (Nephthalim – Gen. 30:8), that He alone could make effectual! For grace for them could only be imputed through Him! 2Cor. 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Two things are listed as essential to his making this move into a new location and into his public ministry! The first was that both Hell and Heaven were brought to respect him! – Matt 4:11. The devil-angel left off with his temptations, and the elect angels came to minister to this author of eternal salvation! (Cp. Heb 1:14). One of the things that the true minister of God must have power in, is in prophesying to the Wind! (Ezek 37:9). He must be endued with power from on high! We must possess one within us that is greater than he that is in the world!
The second thing that was essential to his launching out was awaiting until his forerunner was decreased, in order for his own increasing! (John 3:30). As Eternal Son of God, he was not experienced in succession. But now, as the God man, he must in patience posses his spirit! He had to wait in the darkness of the Virgin’s womb. Then he had to await down in Egypt before he could be brought into Israel. Then he had to wait for 30 years in Nazareth! And then he had to wait until John the Baptist’s imprisonment ended his mission! He must prove faithful over these few things, if he would ever be made ruler over all things! (Matt 25:21). Isaiah 8:17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. And he is at this moment still in a state of expectant waiting! – From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. Hebrews 10:13.
Pastor Gene Breed
