First of all, let us look at the birthplace of Jesus.  We read in Matthew 2:1-6, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”  This prophesy is found in Micah 5:2, “But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” 

Now let’s read Matthew 2:13-15, “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”  This prophesy is found in Hosea 11:1, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.”  Although this speaks first of the nation of Israel and their departure from Egypt, it is especially prophetic of the Lord Jesus and His time in Egypt.

Let’s continue this history of the dwelling places of the Lord Jesus by reading Matthew 2:19-23, “But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”  It is thought that Jesus returned from Egypt when He was about four years old.  The prophesy for Jesus being called a Nazarene is a little obscure and hard to locate.  Matthew speaks here of the “prophets” rather than the “prophet” as used in Matthew 2:6 and Matthew 2:15.  It may be that this was a prophesy repeated by several prophets and was simply known orally without it being written down. 

How long did Jesus live in Nazareth?  Let’s read Mark 1:9, “And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.”  At the Lord’s baptism by John the Baptist we read, “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age…” (Luke 3:23).  It seems that the Lord Jesus spent most of His life in Nazareth…about 26 years.  With that knowledge, it seems appropriate that He would be called ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’  At the Apostle Paul’s conversion, we see the Lord from Heaven referred to Himself in that way.  Acts 22:7-8 says, “And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.” 

As to His title today in reference to His dwelling place, the Lord is twice referenced as the “Lord of glory.” (Read 1 Corinthians 2:8 and James 2:1.)  Or, as some have said, He is the ‘glorious Lord.”  (435.6)