按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
ence。 On the Sabbath the people crowded the synagogue until great numbers had to turn away； unable to find entrance。
All who heard the Saviour 〃were astonished at His doctrine： for His word was with power。〃 〃He taught them as one having authority； and not as the scribes。〃 Luke 4：32； Matt。 7：29。 The teaching of the scribes and elders was cold and formal； like a lesson learned by rote。 To them the word of God possessed no vital power。 Their own ideas and traditions were substituted for its teaching。 In the accustomed round of service they professed to explain the law； but no inspiration from God stirred their own hearts or the hearts of their hearers。
Jesus had nothing to do with the various subjects of dissension among the Jews。 It was His work to present the truth。 His words shed a flood of light upon the teachings of patriarchs and prophets； and the Scriptures came to men as a new revelation。 Never before had His hearers perceived such a depth of meaning in the word of God。
Jesus met the people on their own ground； as one who was acquainted with their perplexities。 He made truth beautiful by presenting it in the most direct and simple way。 His language was pure； refined； and clear as a running stream。 His voice was as music to those who had listened to the monotonous tones of the rabbis。 But while His teaching was simple； He spoke as one having authority。 This characteristic set His teaching in contrast with that of all others。 The rabbis spoke with doubt and hesitancy； as if the Scriptures might be interpreted to mean one thing or exactly the opposite。 The hearers were daily involved in greater uncertainty。 But Jesus taught the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority。 Whatever His subject； it was presented with power； as if His words could not be controverted。
254
Yet He was earnest； rather than vehement。 He spoke as one who had a definite purpose to fulfill。 He was bringing to view the realities of the eternal world。 In every theme God was revealed。 Jesus sought to break the spell of infatuation which keeps men absorbed in earthly things。 He placed the things of this life in their true relation； as subordinate to those of eternal interest； but He did not ignore their importance。 He taught that heaven and earth are linked together； and that a knowledge of divine truth prepares men better to perform the duties of everyday life。 He spoke as one familiar with heaven； conscious of His relationship to God； yet recognizing His unity with every member of the human family。
His messages of mercy were varied to suit His audience。 He knew 〃how to speak a word in season to him that is weary〃 （Isa。 50：4）； for grace was poured upon His lips； that He might convey to men in the most attractive way the treasures of truth。 He had tact to meet the prejudiced minds； and surprise them with illustrations that won their attention。Through the imagination He reached the heart。 His illustrations were taken from the things of daily life； and although they were simple； they had in them a wonderful depth of meaning。 The birds of the air； the lilies of the field； the seed； the shepherd and the sheep；with these objects Christ illustrated immortal truth； and ever afterward； when His hearers chanced to see these things of nature； they recalled His words。 Christ's illustrations constantly repeated His lessons。
Christ never flattered men。 He never spoke that which would exalt their fancies and imaginations； nor did He praise them for their clever inventions； but deep； unprejudiced thinkers received His teaching； and found that it tested their wisdom。 They marveled at the spiritual truth expressed in the simplest language。 The most highly educated were charmed with His words； and the uneducated were always profited。 He had a message for the illiterate； and He made even the heathen to understand that He had a message for them。
His tender compassion fell with a touch of healing upon weary and troubled hearts。 Even amid the turbulence of angry enemies He was surrounded with an atmosphere of peace。 The beauty of His countenance； the loveliness of His character； above all； the love expressed in look and tone； drew to Him all who were not hardened in unbelief。 Had it not been for the sweet； sympathetic spirit that shone out in every look and word； He would not have attracted the large congregations that He did。 The afflicted ones who came to Him felt that He linked His
255
interest with theirs as a faithful and tender friend； and they desired to know more of the truths He taught。 Heaven was brought near。 They longed to abide in His presence； that the comfort of His love might be with them continually。
Jesus watched with deep earnestness the changing countenances of His hearers。 The faces that expressed interest and pleasure gave Him great satisfaction。 As the arrows of truth pierced to the soul； breaking through the barriers of selfishness； and working contrition； and finally gratitude； the Saviour was made glad。 When His eye swept over the throng of listeners； and He recognized among them the faces He had before seen； His countenance lighted up with joy。 He saw in them hopeful subjects for His kingdom。 When the truth； plainly spoken； touched some cherished idol； He marked the change of countenance； the cold； forbidding look； which told that the light was unwelcome。 When He saw men refuse the message of peace； His heart was pierced to the very depths。
Jesus in the synagogue spoke of the kingdom He had come to establish； and of His mission to set free the captives of Satan。 He was interrupted by a shriek of terror。 A madman rushed forward from among the people； crying out； 〃Let us alone； what have we to do with Thee； Thou Jesus of Nazareth？ art Thou come to destroy us？ I know Thee who Thou art； the Holy One of God。〃
All was now confusion and alarm。 The attention of the people was diverted from Christ； and His words were unheeded。 This was Satan's purpose in leading his victim to the synagogue。 But Jesus rebuked the demon； saying； 〃Hold thy peace； and come out of him。 And when the devil had thrown him in the midst； he came out of him； and hurt him not。〃
The mind of this wretched sufferer had been darkened by Satan； but in the Saviour's presence a ray of light had pierced the gloom。 He was roused to long for freedom from Satan's control； but the demon resisted the power of Christ。 When the man tried to appeal to Jesus for help； the evil spirit put words into his mouth； and he cried out in an agony of fear。 The demoniac partially comprehended that he was in the presence of One who could set him free； but when he tried to come within reach of that mighty hand； another's will held him； another's words found utterance through him。 The conflict between the power of Satan and his own desire for freedom was terrible。
256
He who had conquered Satan in the wilderness of temptation was again brought face to face with His enemy。 The demon exerted all his power to retain control of his victim。 To lose ground here would be to give Jesus a victory。 It seemed that the tortured man must lose his life in the struggle with the foe that had been the ruin of his manhood。