Nazareth in the district of Galilee was a small town, Mary and Joseph’s hometown. (Luke 1:26) According to John 2:46 the town was known for nothing good. “Nazer” means “despised,” or “not honorable”. Christians were at first called Nazarenes. (Acts 24:5)
Nazareth was on a major trade route. Being on a major trade route brought in many strangers and Gentiles. It would be hard to keep faith and purity in such an environment. Also being a small town made it easy for everyone to know everyone and everything about each other. Nazareth is not mentioned in the Old Testament anywhere, but the area is referenced. (Isaiah 9:1) Poor Jews lived in towns like Nazareth. Many Jews left Judea to escape first the Syrian and then the Roman oppression. Mary and Joseph’s family must have moved to this area because of the oppression.
The environment about us will affect us. However, I do not have to let it control me and be an excuse to do wrong things. The Lord will always provide a way. I need to keep faith. The Lord will not test us beyond what we can deal with in a good way.
