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The Fifth Lesson: The Foundation of the Work.995
we wish in no way to detract from the wonder that Jesus had wrought, but
merely to let the student know that the power is still possessed by others
and is not a “supernatural” thing but the operation of purely natural laws.
About this time there occurred another event in His life, and a manifestation
of His power which is noted in the New Testament and which is told in the
occult tradition with somewhat more detail. It occurred when Jesus visited
his home town of Nazareth on the eve of the Jewish Sabbath. He rested over
night and then the following morning betook Himself to the regular services
in the local synagogue. He took the seat which He had occupied as a young
boy with Joseph. No doubt the familiar scene awakened memories of His
strange youthful history in His mind. Then, much to His surprise, He heard
Himself called to the platform to conduct the service. It must be remembered
that Jesus was a regular rabbi, or priest, by birth, education and training,
and was entitled to Conduct the Jewish service. No doubt His townspeople
wished to hear their young townsman address and exhort them. He took
the place of authority in the synagogue and proceeded to read the regular
service in the accustomed manner, as prescribed by the custom and laws
of the church. The prayers, chantings and readings succeeded each other
in their regular order. Then came the preaching of the sermon. Taking the
sacred roll from its receptacle, He read the text from Isaiah, “The spirit of the
Lord is upon me because He hath anointed me to preach the good tidings,”
etc. Then He began his exposition of the text He had just read.
But instead of the expected customary words and illustrations—technical
theological hair-splitting and dreary platitudes—He began to preach in
a manner unknown to the Nazarenes. His opening sentence broke the
silence and greatly startled and disturbed the congregation. “This day is this
Scripture fulfilled in your ears,” were his opening words. And then He began
a statement of His conception of His ministry and His Message. Thrusting
aside all precedent and musty authority, He boldly proclaimed that He
had come to establish a new conception of the Truth—a conception that
would overturn the priestly policy of formalism and lack of spirituality—a