Why branchtown?
Below is the shorter version of why I named this Blog “Branchtown.” For the full-length version and to get a fuller sense of the really good stuff, click the why branchtown? tab.
Everything that is really good came out of Branchtown. In the Bible, at the end of John 1, Philip is all amped up because he just met the guy both Moses and the prophets of old had written about, the Messiah, and it was Jesus…from Nazareth. Nathanael is less than impressed. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nazareth was situated in the hill country of Galilee. It was well off the beaten path. It was small and sparse with no major commerce. Roman soldiers hunkered down in Nazareth. Ruffians and outcasts found refuge there. The reputation of Nazareth was less than impressive. But something really good does come out of Nazareth.
As I have read, I have learned of particular historical lore associated with Nazareth’s beginning. I suspect much of it makes simply for good fable. Curious to me however, is the Hebrew word from which Nazareth finds its origin. You can hear it as you sound out Naz-ar-eth. Transliterated, the Hebrew word reads net-zer-et or…Branchtown.
Isaiah prophesied of Messiah as a net-zer (נֵצֶר) or Branch in the line of David, the son of Jesse (Isa. 11:1). The Spirit of the Lord would “rest upon him,” filling him with all wisdom and understanding counsel and might and knowledge and a particular “fear of the LORD.” He will judge right and wrong based on His essential righteousness and faithfulness. He will have an eye for goodness, because He is good, and an ear for truth, because His word is truth. He will be the measure of equity for the poor and the oppressed, and will deliver to the wicked oppressors precisely what is due them for their evil deeds (Isa. 11:2-5). Micah prophesied that, as well as Messiah and Redeemer, the Branch would be the new Ruler/King in Israel; born in Bethlehem, the city of the great King David (Mic. 5:1-2). The angel Gabriel confirmed this when he revealed to Mary that her baby, “the Son of the Most High,” would be given the throne of David and rule forever! The Branch, or Jesus, would establish a kingdom without end, the Kingdom of God to be exact (Luke 1:28-33). Further still, the Branch would not merely arrive on the scene with spiritual, judicial and regal acclaim. The angel Gabriel revealed to Joseph that he would actually save people from their sin (Matt. 1:20-21). And not just Joseph’s people. Simeon prophesied that the salvific reach of Messiah, the Branch, would extend to both Jew and non-Jew. He would arrive as the glory of Israel, but even more, the bright glaring illumination of that glory would splash over as a light for revelation to Gentiles…you and I! Jesus as the Branch would illuminate God so that all nations might see God and know His salvation from sin unto new life (Luke 2:25-32). Now that is really good!
Back in John 1, you’ll remember Nathanael’s reaction to Philip’s enthusiasm of having met the Messiah; the new Ruler/King, and learning it was Jesus of Nazareth. If his initial skepticism was not apparent in his body language, it certainly was in the sarcastic comment he leaked out: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” His implication was, of course, can anything of any essential quality or goodness come from that podunk village in the hills? Can anything good come out of net-zer-et; out of Branchtown? Are you kidding me Nathanael? Jesus, the Messiah and Redeemer and new Ruler/King…the Branch himself came out of Branchtown. Everything that is really good came out of Branchtown!
This blog is a venture in similar suit. Just as everything that is really good emerged from Branchtown in Christ Jesus, subsequently changing the course of history by illuminating God and establishing the way of salvation through His redeeming work on the cross and through His resurrection, so this blog will include those things that are really good; that are particularly related to the broader scope of Christ’s redeeming work. What do I mean by that? Well, I would commend to you the same answer Philip gave to Nathanael: “Come and see…”
Everything that is really good came out of Branchtown. In the Bible, at the end of John 1, Philip is all amped up because he just met the guy both Moses and the prophets of old had written about, the Messiah, and it was Jesus…from Nazareth. Nathanael is less than impressed. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nazareth was situated in the hill country of Galilee. It was well off the beaten path. It was small and sparse with no major commerce. Roman soldiers hunkered down in Nazareth. Ruffians and outcasts found refuge there. The reputation of Nazareth was less than impressive. But something really good does come out of Nazareth.
As I have read, I have learned of particular historical lore associated with Nazareth’s beginning. I suspect much of it makes simply for good fable. Curious to me however, is the Hebrew word from which Nazareth finds its origin. You can hear it as you sound out Naz-ar-eth. Transliterated, the Hebrew word reads net-zer-et or…Branchtown.
Isaiah prophesied of Messiah as a net-zer (נֵצֶר) or Branch in the line of David, the son of Jesse (Isa. 11:1). The Spirit of the Lord would “rest upon him,” filling him with all wisdom and understanding counsel and might and knowledge and a particular “fear of the LORD.” He will judge right and wrong based on His essential righteousness and faithfulness. He will have an eye for goodness, because He is good, and an ear for truth, because His word is truth. He will be the measure of equity for the poor and the oppressed, and will deliver to the wicked oppressors precisely what is due them for their evil deeds (Isa. 11:2-5). Micah prophesied that, as well as Messiah and Redeemer, the Branch would be the new Ruler/King in Israel; born in Bethlehem, the city of the great King David (Mic. 5:1-2). The angel Gabriel confirmed this when he revealed to Mary that her baby, “the Son of the Most High,” would be given the throne of David and rule forever! The Branch, or Jesus, would establish a kingdom without end, the Kingdom of God to be exact (Luke 1:28-33). Further still, the Branch would not merely arrive on the scene with spiritual, judicial and regal acclaim. The angel Gabriel revealed to Joseph that he would actually save people from their sin (Matt. 1:20-21). And not just Joseph’s people. Simeon prophesied that the salvific reach of Messiah, the Branch, would extend to both Jew and non-Jew. He would arrive as the glory of Israel, but even more, the bright glaring illumination of that glory would splash over as a light for revelation to Gentiles…you and I! Jesus as the Branch would illuminate God so that all nations might see God and know His salvation from sin unto new life (Luke 2:25-32). Now that is really good!
Back in John 1, you’ll remember Nathanael’s reaction to Philip’s enthusiasm of having met the Messiah; the new Ruler/King, and learning it was Jesus of Nazareth. If his initial skepticism was not apparent in his body language, it certainly was in the sarcastic comment he leaked out: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” His implication was, of course, can anything of any essential quality or goodness come from that podunk village in the hills? Can anything good come out of net-zer-et; out of Branchtown? Are you kidding me Nathanael? Jesus, the Messiah and Redeemer and new Ruler/King…the Branch himself came out of Branchtown. Everything that is really good came out of Branchtown!
This blog is a venture in similar suit. Just as everything that is really good emerged from Branchtown in Christ Jesus, subsequently changing the course of history by illuminating God and establishing the way of salvation through His redeeming work on the cross and through His resurrection, so this blog will include those things that are really good; that are particularly related to the broader scope of Christ’s redeeming work. What do I mean by that? Well, I would commend to you the same answer Philip gave to Nathanael: “Come and see…”
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