0736. The Attempted Murder at Nazareth

The Attempted Murder at Nazareth

"They * * rose up * * and led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong" (Luk_4:29).

Soon after the temptation Jesus went to His home town of Nazareth. He, Who for years had been "the carpenter" returned the avowed Son of God. In the Nazareth synagogue the attendant gave to Christ the roll of Isaiah the Prophet. He read and commented on a verse fulfilled within Himself, before the people’s very eyes. They wondered at the gracious word’s that fell from His lips. They doubted His Heavenly claims. "Is this not Joseph’s son?" (Luk_4:22) they said. And then, as Christ proceeded with His words of truth, the populace were "filled with wrath;" and they rose up en masse and "thrust Him out of the city, and led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong" (Luk_4:29).

There is no trouble to catch here, behind the scenes, the hand of satan energizing the wild mob. Not long before had satan prayed the Lord: "Cast Thyself down from hence: for it is written He shall give His angels charge over Thee" (Luk_4:9-10). What Christ refused to do, satan thought that he, himself, would do. Thus filled with murderous intent the multitude led Christ toward the hill crest, but He, the matchless Son, majestically passed thru the very midst of them and went His way, triumphantly secure from satan’s wiles.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR