Nazareth’s Poverty and Heaven’s Riches

Just in time for Christmas, news is out of an amazing archeological find in Nazareth, Israel. A humble structure dating back to the time of Christ was discovered, and the experts say it is the first ever of such a dwelling to be uncovered from that era.

Knowledgeable authorities say it gives them newfound insight into the life and times of Jesus, pointing out that the structure indicates a comparatively poor town where Christ spent his boyhood years. Experts describe Nazareth as “Probably a small hamlet with about 50 houses populated by poor Jews.” Pottery remnants indicate that the first-century occupants were “a simple Jewish family.” Although no one claims that it is the actual home of Joseph and Mary, they point out that the boy Jesus would have likely known of the house and could have visited there.

Although modern Nazareth is a bustling city, even today some of the poorer residents still occupy caves as we saw them some years ago while touring the city. Our guide said that it was entirely possible that the Holy Family lived in a cave when they returned there after the birth of Christ in Bethlehem and the temporary sojourn in Egypt.

In our local paper, the article about the Nazareth house discovery mentions that the Archangel Gabriel broke the news of the virgin birth to Mary in that city. We appreciate any Bible-substantiating news from the secular media but smile at their overall biblical ignorance. Reading Scripture, we know that Michael is the archangel, not Gabriel. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16, it says the return of our Lord will be with the “voice of the Archangel.” Jude 9 identifies him as Michael. Perhaps the article’s author simply repeated the often-spoken error of church tradition that Gabriel blows his horn to signal the world’s end. It is often in public parlance and occasionally finds its way into spiritual songs. Even 1 Thess. 4:16 does not say that Michael blows his horn but only that his voice is heard.

Regardless of the minor error, believers should rejoice that the reports of the current finding in Nazareth support the historicity of Mary, Christ, and His boyhood home. Further, the poor dwelling indicates the truth of 2 Corinthians 8:9. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” Born in a stable, of poor parents, and growing up in a poor town, Christ later spoke of His personal lack of life’s basic comforts. “And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head’" (Matthew 8:20).

Believers are lavished with Heaven’s riches. “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints…” (Ephesians 1:18). In eternity beyond, Christ is afforded all Heaven’s wealth and we with Him.

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!’” (Revelation 5:11-12).

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7).

Dave Virkler