come and see

A few weeks ago I saw a video of fireworks going off in Nazareth on New Years Eve. The person filming was on the roof of his building, so he was able to capture quite a spectacular panoramic display. There was an anticipation and excitement in the air, as the sky was filled with color and flashes of light. Everyone in Nazareth that night would have been able to see the light.   

Quite a contrast between Nazareth now and Nazareth of two thousand years ago. The light of the world, the light of light, the very god of very god had come to dwell with them - but hardly anyone seemed to notice. Isaiah 9 states that "the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." But had they? It sure didn't seem like it.

When the holy family returned to Nazareth from their sojourn in Bethlehem and Egypt, they began to lead a fairly provincial life. Joseph went to work in the carpentry shop while Mary worked at home, raising Jesus and the other children who would come later. Nothing much happened out of the ordinary (as far as we know) until Jesus turned twelve and they traveled to the temple in Jerusalem for the Passover. That's when his parents lost track of him and weren't able to find him for several days. When they finally found him teaching the teachers at the temple, he said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49)

That's the only episode we have in Scripture from the events surrounding his birth until the beginning of his ministry that seems to show that there was something special about this boy. From all accounts, everyone in Nazareth would have just thought of Jesus as a very good boy who obeyed his parents and worked hard with his father as a tekton's apprentice in the family trade. (A tekton was a builder who worked with wood and stone.)

That's why the townspeople in Nazareth were so shocked when Jesus began his ministry in Galilee preaching, teaching, and healing people. "Isn't this Joseph's son, whose father and mother we know?" (John 6:42). "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where did this man get all these things?” (Matt. 13:55,56).

It's also why Nathanael responded the way he did when Philip told him that they had found the Messiah in Nazareth. "Nazareth? Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip's response was simple and to the point. "Come and see."

That's our invitation this Epiphany season as well. Come and see Jesus being baptized by John in the Jordan as he begins his earthly ministry. Come and see him overcoming the devil's temptations in the wilderness. Come and see him turn water into wine in Cana. Come and see him on the mountain peak, as he gives us a peek of his glory. Come and see him descend to the plain, as he sets his face toward Jerusalem and to the cross, to die for our sins and the sins of all the world.

Five years ago I was on a tour of Israel and had opportunity to be in Nazareth to see the massive bronze door at the Church of the Annunciation. It has six main panels that depict scenes from the life of Christ - from his birth, to his baptism, to his ministry, and finally to his death on the cross.

It's too bad that door wasn't there for the local townsfolk to see 2,000 years ago. It might have cleared a few things up for them. But the good news is - it's there for us now. And not just over there in the Holy Land - but right here in the palm of our hand through the Word of God.  During this Epiphany season Jesus is not only the Light, he is also the door - the way to forgiveness, salvation, and life eternal. Come and see!