March 21. The Return to Nazareth
J.R. Miller emphasizes the challenge and importance of returning to one's roots with faith and integrity, exemplified by Jesus' difficult return to Nazareth.
In this biographical sermon, J.R. Miller explores Jesus' challenging return to His hometown of Nazareth, highlighting the rejection He faced and the lessons believers can learn about faithfulness and witness. Miller encourages Christians to remain steadfast and live righteously so they can effectively testify for Christ among those who know them best. The sermon also calls believers to seek the salvation of their neighbors and not to forsake their roots.
Text
"He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up." John 4:47
It was a hard place for Him to visit and to preach in. He had lived there from infancy. The young people knew Him as schoolmate and playfellow, and then as the village carpenter. One day He went away from home, and soon strange reports about Him came back. Up in Jerusalem and in other places, it was said, He was performing miracles and preaching with wonderful power, and people everywhere were thronging to hear Him, and bringing out their sick to be healed by Him.
It requires no deep insight into human nature, to know how His neighbors would regard all this. In their envy they would sneer at the reports about Him. He was only a carpenter!
Then one day, He came home again, and went to the village church and preached. But they could not endure to hear His words, and they were filled with wrath, and rose up and cast Him out of the town, and tried to hurl Him over a precipice to kill Him!
There are some lessons which we ought to gather from this visit of Jesus to His old home. One is that we ought to seek the salvation of our neighbors and friends, not turning our back upon our old home, though we may have grown great and famous elsewhere.
Another is that as young people, we ought to live so carefully that when we grow up we may be able to stand up in the midst of those who have always known us, and bear testimony for Christ. There are some good men now whose preaching would have but little effect where they were brought up — because of the way they lived when they were at home in youth. But Jesus\
Sermon Outline
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I
- Jesus returns to Nazareth, His hometown
- Neighbors' skepticism and envy toward His ministry
- The challenge of being known in a familiar place
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II
- Jesus preaches in the village church
- Rejection and hostility from His own people
- The attempt to kill Him by casting Him off a precipice
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III
- Lessons on seeking the salvation of neighbors and friends
- The importance of living a godly life from youth
- Being able to stand firm and bear testimony among those who know you
Key Quotes
“He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up.” — J.R. Miller
“It requires no deep insight into human nature, to know how His neighbors would regard all this.” — J.R. Miller
“There are some lessons which we ought to gather from this visit of Jesus to His old home.” — J.R. Miller
Application Points
- Live a godly life from youth to be able to stand firm in faith among familiar people.
- Do not turn away from your old community but seek to bring them the message of salvation.
- Be prepared to face rejection when witnessing for Christ, just as Jesus did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Jesus rejected in Nazareth?
Because His neighbors knew Him as a carpenter and could not accept His new role as a miracle worker and preacher.
What lesson does Jesus’ return to Nazareth teach us?
It teaches the importance of faithfulness and courage to witness for Christ even among those who know us best.
How should young people prepare to witness for Christ?
By living carefully and righteously in youth so they can stand firm and bear testimony later.
What does the sermon say about turning back to one’s old home?
We should not turn our backs on our old home but seek the salvation of our neighbors and friends there.