The Rage of the Nazarines

BY J. JAMES TISSOT. REPRODUCED BY COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN TISSOT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK.

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And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath.”—Luke, 4, 28.

HAT first sermon of Jesus to His own townfolk,

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did not close as winningly as it began. Jesus

knew the heart of these people, knew their selfish desire to profit by His greatness. So He warned them that His miraculous powers were not to be exerted for them. He would neither bring them into worldly honor nor cure their sick. At this they rose against Him in tumultuous anger. They hustled Him out from the synagogue. Then, their wrath increasing with its expression, they haled Him to the top of a cliff beyond the town, meaning to cast Him from the edge and slay Him. "But he passing through the midst of them went his way."

Thus the first persecution which broke out openly against the Christ, was in His own native town. It was an example of the way other men were to rage against Him when He crossed their evil desires. As Jesus sadly said to the Nazarines in His sermon, "No prophet is accepted in his own country."

MARK X-BLIND BARTIMEUS

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drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:

40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them: and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

46 ¶ And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimæus, the son of Timeus, sat by the highway side begging.

47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.

48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Chapter 11

1 Christ rideth with triumph into Jerusalem: 12 curseth the fruitless leafy tree: 15 purgeth the temple: 20 exhorteth his disciples to stedfastness of faith, and to forgive their enemies: 27 and defendeth the lawfulness of his actions, by the witness of John, who was a man sent of God.

ND when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,

2 And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

3 And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither.