Luke 4:16-30 "And HE came to Nazareth, where HE had been brought up: and, as HIS custom was, HE went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto HIM the Book of the prophet Isaiah. And when HE had opened the book, HE found the place where it was written, The SPIRIT of the LORD is upon ME, because HE hath anointed ME to preach the Gospel to the poor; HE hath sent ME to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the LORD. And HE closed the book, and HE gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on HIM. And HE began to say unto them, This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare HIM witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of HIS mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son ?
And HE said unto them, Ye will surely say unto ME this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country. And HE said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the Heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land: but unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up, and thrust HIM out of the city, and led HIM unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast HIM down headlong. But HE passing through the midst of them went HIS way,"
During HIS temptation, the LORD JESUS was with wild beasts (Mark 1:13). It was no problem. The CREATOR was in control. In Nazareth, the hometown crowd was enraged at JESUS' claims. They "rose up, and thrust HIM out of the city, and led HIM unto the brow of the hill. . .that they might cast HIM down headlong. But HE passing through the midst of them went HIS way" (vv.29-30 pictured in full at top of post). HE was in control. A great tempest arose on the Sea of Galilee. The storm was so serious that even JESUS' band of experienced fishermen feared for their lives: "LORD, save us: we perish !" JESUS, WHO had been sleeping through the tempest, rebuked the winds and the sea, resulting in a great calm. HE was in control (Matthew 8:23-27). They laughed the LORD to scorn when HE claimed that a dead girl was merely sleeping, but in a moment they realized WHO was really in control (Mark 5:38-42). The band of men who came to arrest JESUS heard HIM declare, " I AM," and they all "went backward, and fell to the ground" (John 18:4-6). Before the LORD permitted them to seize HIM, HE wanted all to know WHO was in control. When Pilate claimed to have the authority to put JESUS to death, the LORD reminded him WHO was in control: "Thou couldest have no power at all against ME, except it were given thee from above" (John 19:11 pictured above). Though wicked men put JESUS on the cross, HE made it quite clear that HIS death was totally voluntary: "I lay down MY life. . .No man taketh it from ME" (John 10:17-18). HE was in complete control. No matter what difficulties or deep trials you are going through, be sure to stop and remember WHO is in control. May your heart be calmed by HIS "Peace, be still." GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.ord
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