David Bahn – Reflections

Matthew 2:21-23

So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. ²²But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, ²³and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

I strongly suspect that Joseph would have been much happier staying in Bethlehem after Jesus was born; it seems as though he wasn’t really all that keen on getting back to Nazareth. That might be because his and Mary’s reputation was clouded (an out-of-wedlock child!). It may also have been a challenge simply to move (they had no moving companies in those days as far as we can tell). But because of God’s call, Archelaus’ reign and the providence of God, Joseph ends up back in Nazareth.

Some people make grand claims about their home town. I am a classmate of a rather famous radio talk show host. Someone else may brag, “I’m a 5th generation Texan,” then add, “It ain’t braggin’ if it’s true!” Still others will wave the pennants of their favorite sports team.

But according to the book of Acts, we are not here by accident – wherever “here” may be.

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. ²⁵And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. ²⁶From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. ²⁷God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ²⁸‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’… (Acts 17:24-28a)

God’s calling is always for God’s good purposes. He is not capricious or fickle. His intent is for our good and blessing. There is no better evidence of that than Jesus’ sojourn: from Nazareth (in utero!) to Bethlehem, to Egypt, to Nazareth, to Judea, to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, to the cross, to the grave, and to the right hand of God the Father.  He went those places at the Father’s calling so that we might know and believe that we go wherever the Father calls us in the confidence of His good will toward us and in His providential care.

Where are you today? It’s no accident. God’s desire is that you seek Him, find Him, and rejoice in His good will toward you and your neighbor – wherever you are. Right now. How might you be part of His mission to that end today?