Teaching in the Synagogue

 

Providence Lithograph Co.

Jesus in the Synagogue at Nazareth

(See Luke 4:16-32; Mark 6:1-6)

One neighbor hurried to tell another.

People met in the streets and said, "Have yo heard?" Jesus is coming back home. He is to speak in the synagogue on the Sabbath."

Others said, "There have been many stories of wonderful things he has done in Judea. What do you think he will do here? This is his home. His mother and brothers and sisters are here. Maybe he will do something special here. I wonder what his power is?"

Jesus had been away from home for a time. He had been to the River Jordan. God had given him a special blessing. He began to go from place to place to teach people about God. Everywhere he went the people heard him gladly. Now he was coming back to Nazareth.

The synagogue-church was filled with eager people. Jesus entered the synagogue-church. He sat down on the front row of seats where those who were most often called upon to read sat. When the time came for reading the lesson for the day Jesus stood up behind the reading desk. He was given the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the scroll-book, unrolling it and rolling it until he came to the place where he wanted to read. Then Jesus began to read.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are opressed,

to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

Jesus closed the book. He gave it back to the helper who took care of the rolls of Scriptures. Jesus sat down. Every person in the synagogue-church looked at him. They were waiting for his next words, for it was the custom for the teacher of the day to sit down to explain the Scriptures and to give his message.

Jesus said, "Today these words have com true in your hearing." He went on to speak. The people murmured one to another.

They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is the wisdom given to him? What mighty works are done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?"

At first the people were surprised and pleased at his teaching. Then they began to be displeased. They thought that heh was taking to much power and glory upon himself. They began to be angry.

And Jesus did no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick folks and healed them.

Story by Ethel M. Phillips, 1948