There is nothing in all this that need surprise us. The same thing is going on around us every day, in our own land. The holy Scriptures, the preaching of the Gospel, the public ordinances of religion, the abundant means of grace that England enjoys, are continually undervalued by English people. They are so accustomed to them, that they do not know their privileges. It is an awful truth, that in religion, more than in anything else, familiarity breeds contempt.
There is comfort in this part of ourXord's experience, for some of the Lord's people. There is comfort for faithful ministers of the Gospel, who are cast down by the unbelief of their parishioners or regular hearers. There is comfort for true Christians who stand alone in their families, and see all around them cleaving to the world. Let both remember that they are drinking the same cup as their beloved Master. Let them remember that He too was despised most by those who knew Him best. Let them learn that the utmost consistency of con- duct will not make others adopt their views and opinions, any more than it did the people of Nazareth. Let them know that the sorrowful words of their Lord will gener- rally be fulfilled in the experience of His servants, * a prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house."
We see, in the second place, how humble was the rank of life vjhich our Lord condescended to occupy before He b - gan His public ministry. The people of Nazareth said of Him, in contempt, " Is not this the carpenter ?"
This is a remarkable expression, and is only found in the Gospel of St. Mark. It shows us plainly that for the
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first thirty years of His life, our Lord was not ashamed to work with His own hands. There is something mar- vellous and overwhelming in the thought ! He who made heaven, and earth, and sea, and all that therein is — He, without whom nothing was made that was made — the Son of God Himself, took on Him the form of a servant, and " in the sweat of His face ate bread," as a working man. This is indeed that " love of Christ that passeth knowledge." Though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor. Both in life and death He humbled Himself, that through Him sinners might live and reign for evermore.
Let us remember, when we read this passage, that there is no sin in poverty. We never need be ashamed of poverty, unless our own sins have brought it upon us. We never ought to despise others, because they are poor. It is disgraceful to be a gambler, or a drunkard, or a covetous man, or a liar ; but it is no disgrace to work with our own hands, and earn our bread by our own labor. The thought of the carpenter's shop at Nazareth, should cast down the high thoughts of all who make an idol of riches. It cannot be dishonorable to occupy the same position as the Son of God, and Saviour of the world.
We see, in the last place, how exceedingly sinful is the sin of unbelief. Two remarkable expressions are used in teaching this lesson. One is, that our Lord " could do no mighty work" at Nazareth, by reason of the hardness of the people's hearts. The other is, that " He marvelled because of their unbelief." The one shows us that unbelief has a power to rob men of the highest blessings. The other