Page:Philochristus, Abbott, 1878.djvu/206

198 the rest of that same psalm. But when John came, in his repeating, to the words, "O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works," then did Jesus seem somewhat moved. But afterwards when John came unto the words, "Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt give me life again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth;" then indeed the face of Jesus kindled with a marvellous light, and he bade John cease. But he himself sat, still musing, and his lips moved like unto one repeating the same words over and over again: "Thou shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth."

It came to pass that, about two or three weeks after these things we came to Nazareth, where Jesus was born. Now Jesus had not gone to the place these many days. Some said that he came thither now for to shew unto his mother and his brethren (for his father had been long since dead) that he was sound in health and not possessed nor distraught. Others said that he desired to cause his brethren to believe in him; for at this time they believed not. But others said that he desired to bid farewell to his mother before he went forth to deliver Israel; and to this most people agreed.

But when we came to Nazareth, we marvelled that there was so little faith in the men of that place. For they thronged us, as in the other towns, and they were fain to look on Jesus, and called him by familiar names (some being playmates and schoolfellows, some his kinsfolk, and almost all of the number of his acquaintances); moreover they were eager that he should do some mighty work before their eyes; yet could they not believe that he was a prophet, much less that he was the Redeemer of Israel. Neither would they believe that he could drive out evil spirits or heal diseases.