To Know Jesus 

   “They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong.  But he passed through the midst of them and went away.” (Luke 4: 29 – 30) 

   In my mind I picture the men of the town of Nazareth determined to kill Jesus by throwing Him over the brow of the hill.  He had angered them by His teaching.  They were insulted and determined to punish Him.  Yet they apparently could not do so.

   Instead, He walked through the crowd and went away.  I’ve never really pictured my Lord as a physically imposing man, one who could overcome a crowd determined to do Him harm.  I don’t believe it had anything to do with physical strength or fear of Him as a man.  I believe it was His spiritual presence.

   Perhaps those who wished to do Him harm simply could not do so because they recognized the truth in His words.  They may have even recognized that He truly was the Messiah but refused to admit it.  Regardless the reason they withdrew and let Him leave unharmed.

   There are those in society today who would have joined the Nazarenes in their effort to kill Jesus.  There are those who would have demanded His death as the crowd did when Jesus appeared before Pilate.  But I wonder how many would be able to do so if they could look Him in the eye and see the love and mercy that He has for all mankind.

   Those who wish to destroy Jesus are those who do not know Him.  Through their own choice they have refused to accept Him for who He is, the Son of God, the Savior of the world.

   Those who know Him, in whom He is present, know that He is the only hope for mankind in a sinful world. 

Lord, You bring peace.

You bring hope to a troubled world.

May we know the love and mercy You have for us.

May we welcome You into our lives.

 

Amen