Nazareth was the place on earth where Jesus spent most of His time among us. However, very little is recorded of His 30 years (Luke 3:23) in the town where He grew up and practiced carpentry. When He began His public ministry He made Capernaum, on the north west shore of the Sea of Galilee, His new home. Twice the Teacher returned to Nazareth (Luke 4:16-31; Matthew 13:54-58), once at the beginning of His public ministry and once near the end but both times he was rejected. So, “Home sweet home” was not so sweet for the Saviour as an adult.

What is alarming in the Redeemer’s relationship with Nazareth is that after two attempts at effective ministry the Saviour left Nazareth never to return. The lesson we learn from the broken relationship between Jesus and the residents of this town is that after being clearly rejected by people the Lord Jesus rejects them in return. Nothing is as clear as the reality of the fact that while God’s grace is infinite His patience is not. The Lord will forgive the chief of sinners who repent. However He offers no promise to wait and wait for sinners to embrace Him as their Lord and their God at a time of their choosing.

Some of us grew up in “sweet homes” and some of us in homes that were not so “sweet”. From time to time a person who grew up in a very difficult home will become a miserable, misbehaving adult, who spurns the Good Shepherd. They wonder why the Lord has let them have so many problems.

I briefly watched a program that followed the lives of people who won millions in lotteries. Everyone found life forever changed. Most bought a much bigger house, travelled, quit their job, and about 1/3 spent their fortunes within 5 years. They had to go back to their low paying jobs and live in a modest home once more. Often, family members and friends of the winner boldly asked the winner to pay off the mortgages on their homes, buy them new cars etc. So, winning the lottery will sometimes split families apart and make homes a nightmare.

Whatever your financial status in life, your happiness needs to be that you know the Lord and He is your great treasure. Today is your treasure having your mortgage paid off, enough money to see you through your retirement years, or other material treasures? If so, you are most to be pitied.

However, if you are like the merchant in Matthew 13 who is pictured as selling everything to gain the Saviour, you are indeed wise and will have a “sweet home” here and for eternity.