309. LUK 4:16, &C. JESUS AT NAZARETH

Luk_4:16, &c. Jesus at Nazareth

"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath-day, and stood up for to read."’97Luk_4:16, &c.

How delightfully interesting is the history of the Redeemer! Every portion of it is full of instruction, and every incident deserves a place in the memory of the true believer. Several important events are crowded into this chapter. There is Christ leaving Jordan after his baptism, full of the Holy Ghost. Then his fasting and temptation in the wilderness: and after this, his visit to Galilee, and his wonderful teaching. See ver. 15. Then the narrative of his appearance in Nazareth, &c. Observe,

I. The Place specified in the Text.

It was Nazareth, where Christ had been brought up. Nazareth was a small town in Galilee, about seventy miles from Jerusalem, a place of no worldly greatness nor celebrity. Here the Virgin-mother resided when the angel addressed her, "Hail," &c. Observe, too, at Nazareth "he had been brought up." Thence Joseph returned after his flight into Egypt, Mat_2:23. When Christ was twelve years of age, and had been disputing with the doctors, it is said, he came to Nazareth, and was subject to Joseph and Mary there, Luk_2:51. It is obvious Christ still lived there, up to the time of his baptism, when he came from Galilee to Jordan. Observe,

(1) The obscurity of Christ’s private life. An unknown resident in the small town of Nazareth. The Son of God. not in the metropolis; not among the rabbies, &c. Not in a palace; but in a poor family, an assistant to his father as a carpenter, until he was about thirty years old. How true that he humbled himself, took the form of a servant, made himself of no reputation, &c. "Ye know the grace of our Lord," &c.

(2) We see in it God’s estimation of the world’s pomp and glory. Here was indeed a practical lesson of the emptiness and worthlessness of the world’s riches and grandeur. Christ was not of this world. He came to save men from the love of its vanities, and wiles, and pleasures.

(3) We see honest industry honored by the Saviour. Jesus did not exclude himself from the useful avocations of life. He who had all majesty labored with his hands, and thus stamped industry with the greatest possible dignity and importance. Let us not forget that it was at Nazareth that Jesus grew in stature, and wisdom, and in favor with God and man. Christ had been absent for a short period, to be invested into his glorious offices and work, and now he returns to Nazareth, &c. Notice,

II. What Jesus did on his visit to Nazareth.

"And as his custom was," &c. Now, here we have,

1. The place to which he resorted.

"The Synagogue." These were erections for public worship in various parts of Judea, where prayer was presented, and the law of God read to the people. Here, public worship was honored, and stands recommended by the example of Jesus. Many would have been occupied with friends; but the honor and glory of God were ever first and last with Christ. If the heart be right, the sanctuary will have unrivalled charms, and irresistible attractions. "How amiable," &c.

2. This place was identified with former associations.

"And as his custom was." He had frequented it before. Yea, more, it is clear he had been a regular worshipper. As such, it would have many things to interest the pious feelings of the Son of God. Here, doubtless, he had often heard that law which he came to magnify’97those prophecies, which he came to fulfil’97those promises, of which he was the chief, and the sum. Doubtless, he had often longed here for the period when his mission of mercy should be made known to the people. Well, now qualified and overflowing with love, he came to the place, and as his "custom was." Holy custom! useful custom! happy custom! Many of you can feel, and appreciate too, the truth of these exclamations.

3. The time when Christ went into the synagogue was the sabbath.

The day on which the Lord rested, and the day given as such to our first parents. Enjoined by Moses, and enforced by the prophets. It is impossible too highly to value the sabbath. How true that declaration, "the sabbath was made for man;" that is, for his benefit; for the cleanliness, and rest and comfort of the body; for the improvement of the mind; for the sanctification of the heart; for giving peculiarly favorable seasons for prayer, reading, worship, meditation, and preparing for a sabbatical immortality. Well has it been called the Queen of days. The Christian’s Sunday; day of heavenly traffic, and holy merchandise. The type, and the earnest of that rest, which remains for the people of God. Notice,

4. What Jesus did in the synagogue.

"And he stood up for to read." In the Jewish synagogue they had seven readers a priest, a Levite, and five of the congregation. The reader always stood up; so particular were they, that he was not allowed to lean upon any thing during the time of reading. Now, Jesus, therefore honored this institution of reading the Holy Scriptures’97an exercise that ever was, and ever will be, important’97cannot be too much valued, and too seriously observed, an ornament to good sermons, and a corrective to bad ones. The touchstone of all preaching. "To the law, and to the testimony." Not a good sign if the reading of the word is not greatly relished. What a majestic, heavenly sight, to see Jesus thus standing up to read the oracles of eternal truth! Observe, then,

5. The portion of the Sacred Scriptures which he read.

There was given to him the roll of Isaiah’s prophecy, the part, no doubt, appointed for the day. He therefore unrolled it, till he came to the sixty-first chapter, and then he began to read. Isaiah has been truly called the evangelical prophet. He is so full of Christ, so clear, so rich. Christ honors Isaiah, by taking his first text from his prophecy. How wonderful the contrast between Moses giving the law, and the Messiah first preaching at Nazareth’97place, spectators, subject!

Application

1. Give especial heed, &c. to the Holy Scriptures. Oh, revere, and love, and consult that blessed book. Be wise, and mighty in the Scriptures.

2. Let it be the test of all your views and doctrines, &c.

3. The rule of your life, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS