the desire of ages-第105章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


poken　unto　you　by　God；　saying；　I　am　the　God　of　Abraham；　and　the　God　of　Isaac；　and　the　God　of　Jacob？　God　is　not　the　God　of　the　dead；　but　of　the　living。〃　God　counts　the　things　that　are　not　as　though　they　were。　He　sees　the　end　from　the　beginning；　and　beholds　the　result　of　His　work　as　though　it　were　now　accomplished。　The　precious　dead；　from　Adam　down　to　the　last　saint　who　dies；　will　hear　the　voice　of　the　Son　of　God；　and　will　come　forth　from　the　grave　to　immortal　life。　God　will　be　their　God；　and　they　shall　be　His　people。　There　will　be　a　close　and　tender　relationship　between　God　and　the　risen　saints。　This　condition；　which　is　anticipated　in　His　purpose；　He　beholds　as　if　it　were　already　existing。　The　dead　live　unto　Him。

By　the　words　of　Christ　the　Sadducees　were　put　to　silence。　They　could　not　answer　Him。　Not　a　word　had　been　spoken　of　which　the　least　advantage　could　be　taken　for　His　condemnation。　His　adversaries　had　gained　nothing　but　the　contempt　of　the　people。

The　Pharisees；　however；　did　not　yet　despair　of　driving　Him　to　speak　that　which　they　could　use　against　Him。　They　prevailed　upon　a　certain　learned　scribe　to　question　Jesus　as　to　which　of　the　ten　precepts　of　the　law　was　of　the　greatest　importance。

The　Pharisees　had　exalted　the　first　four　commandments；　which　point　out　the　duty　of　man　to　his　Maker；　as　of　far　greater　consequence　than　the　other　six；　which　define　man's　duty　to　his　fellow　man。　As　the　result；

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　607

they　greatly　failed　of　practical　godliness。　Jesus　had　shown　the　people　their　great　deficiency；　and　had　taught　the　necessity　of　good　works；　declaring　that　the　tree　is　known　by　its　fruits。　For　this　reason　He　had　been　charged　with　exalting　the　last　six　commandments　above　the　first　four。

The　lawyer　approached　Jesus　with　a　direct　question；　〃Which　is　the　first　commandment　of　all？〃　The　answer　of　Christ　is　direct　and　forcible：　〃The　first　of　all　the　commandments　is；　Hear；　O　Israel；　The　Lord　our　God　is　one　Lord：　and　thou　shalt　love　the　Lord　thy　God　with　all　thy　heart；　and　with　all　thy　soul；　and　with　all　thy　mind；　and　with　all　thy　strength：　this　is　the　first　commandment。〃　The　second　is　like　the　first；　said　Christ；　for　it　flows　out　of　it；　〃Thou　shalt　love　thy　neighbor　as　thyself。　There　is　none　other　commandment　greater　than　these。〃　〃On　these　two　commandments　hang　all　the　law　and　the　prophets。〃

The　first　four　of　the　Ten　Commandments　are　summed　up　in　the　one　great　precept；　〃Thou　shalt　love　the　Lord　thy　God　with　all　thy　heart。〃　The　last　six　are　included　in　the　other；　〃Thou　shalt　love　thy　neighbor　as　thyself。〃　Both　these　commandments　are　an　expression　of　the　principle　of　love。　The　first　cannot　be　kept　and　the　second　broken；　nor　can　the　second　be　kept　while　the　first　is　broken。　When　God　has　His　rightful　place　on　the　throne　of　the　heart；　the　right　place　will　be　given　to　our　neighbor。　We　shall　love　him　as　ourselves。　And　only　as　we　love　God　supremely　is　it　possible　to　love　our　neighbor　impartially。

And　since　all　the　commandments　are　summed　up　in　love　to　God　and　man；　it　follows　that　not　one　precept　can　be　broken　without　violating　this　principle。　Thus　Christ　taught　His　hearers　that　the　law　of　God　is　not　so　many　separate　precepts；　some　of　which　are　of　great　importance；　while　others　are　of　small　importance　and　may　with　impunity　be　ignored。　Our　Lord　presents　the　first　four　and　the　last　six　commandments　as　a　divine　whole；　and　teaches　that　love　to　God　will　be　shown　by　obedience　to　all　His　commandments。

The　scribe　who　had　questioned　Jesus　was　well　read　in　the　law；　and　he　was　astonished　at　His　words。　He　did　not　expect　Him　to　manifest　so　deep　and　thorough　a　knowledge　of　the　Scriptures。　He　had　gained　a　broader　view　of　the　principles　underlying　the　sacred　precepts。　Before　the　assembled　priests　and　rulers　he　honestly　acknowledged　that　Christ　had　given　the　right　interpretation　to　the　law；　saying：

〃Well；　Master；　Thou　hast　said　the　truth：　for　there　is　one　God；　and　there　is　none　other　but　He：　and　to　love　Him　with　all　the　heart；　and

608

with　all　the　understanding；　and　with　all　the　soul；　and　with　all　the　strength；　and　to　love　his　neighbor　as　himself；　is　more　than　all　whole　burnt　offerings　and　sacrifices。〃

The　wisdom　of　Christ's　answer　had　convicted　the　scribe。　He　knew　that　the　Jewish　religion　consisted　in　outward　ceremonies　rather　than　inward　piety。　He　had　some　sense　of　the　worthlessness　of　mere　ceremonial　offerings；　and　the　faithless　shedding　of　blood　for　expiation　of　sin。　Love　and　obedience　to　God；　and　unselfish　regard　for　man；　appeared　to　him　of　more　value　than　all　these　rites。　The　readiness　of　this　man　to　acknowledge　the　correctness　of　Christ's　reasoning；　and　his　decided　and　prompt　response　before　the　people；　manifested　a　spirit　entirely　different　from　that　of　the　priests　and　rulers。　The　heart　of　Jesus　went　out　in　pity　to　the　honest　scribe　who　had　dared　to　face　the　frowns　of　the　priests　and　the　threats　of　the　rulers　to　speak　the　convictions　of　his　heart。　〃And　when　Jesus　saw　that　he　answered　discreetly；　He　said　unto　him；　Thou　art　not　far　from　the　kingdom　of　God。〃

The　scribe　was　near　to　the　kingdom　of　God；　in　that　he　recognized　deeds　of　righteousness　as　more　acceptable　to　God　than　burnt　offerings　and　sacrifices。　But　he　needed　to　recognize　the　divine　character　of　Christ；　and　through　faith　in　Him　receive　power　to　do　the　works　of　righteousness。　The　ritual　service　was　of　no　value；　unless　connected　with　Christ　by　living　faith。　Even　the　moral　law　fails　of　its　purpose；　unless　it　is　understood　in　its　relation　to　the　Saviour。　Christ　had　repeatedly　shown　that　His　Father's　law　contained　something　deeper　than　mere　authoritative　commands。　In　the　law　is　embodied　the　same　principle　that　is　revealed　in　the　gospel。　The　law　points　out　man's　duty　and　shows　him　his　guilt。　To　Christ　he　must　look　for　pardon　and　for　power　to　do　what　the　law　enjoins。

The　Pharisees　had　gathered　close　about　Jesus　as　He　answered　the　question　of　the　scribe。　Now　turning　He　put　a　question　to　them：　〃What　think　ye　of　Christ？　whose　son　is　He？〃　This　question　was　designed　to　test　their　belief　concerning　the　Messiah；to　show　whether　they　regarded　Him　simply　as　a　man　or　as　the　Son　of　God。　A　chorus　of　voices　answered；　〃The　Son　of　David。〃　This　was　the　title　which　prophecy　had　given　to　the　Messiah。　When　Jesus　revealed　His　divinity　by　His　mighty　miracles；　when　He　healed　the　sick　and　raised　the　dead；　the　people　had　inquired　among　themselves；　〃Is　not　this　the　Son　of　David？〃　The　Syrophoenician　woman；　blind　Bartimaeus；　and　many　others　had　cried　to　Him　for　help；　〃Have　mercy　on　me；　O　Lord；　Thou　Son　of　David。〃　Matt。　15：22。　While　riding　into　Jerusalem　He　had　been　hailed　with　the

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　609

joyful　shout；　〃Hosanna　to　the　Son　of　David：　Blessed　is　He　that　cometh　in　the　name　of　the　Lord。〃　Matt。　21：9。　And　the　little　children　in　the　temple　had　that　day　echoed　the　glad　ascription。　But　many　who　called　Jesus　the　Son　of　David　did　not　recognize　His　divinity。　They　did　not　understand　that　the　Son　of　David　was　also　the　Son　of　God。

In　reply　to　the　statement　that　Christ　was　the　Son　of　David；　Jesus　said；　〃How　then　doth　David　in　Spirit　＇the　Spirit　of　Inspiration　from　God＇　call　Him　Lord；　saying；　The　Lord　said　unto　my　Lord；　Sit　Thou　on　My　right　hand；　till　I　make　Thine　enemies　Thy　footstool？　If　David　then　call　Him　Lord；　how　is　He　his　son？　And　no　man　was　able　to　answer　Him　a　word；　neither　durst　any　man　from　that　day　forth　ask　Him　any　more　questions。〃




（610）

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Chapter　67

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Woes　on　the　Pharisees


It　was　the　last　day　of　Christ's　teaching　in　the　temple。　Of　the　vast　throngs　that　were　gathered　at　Jerusalem；　the　attention　of　all　had　been　attracted　to　Him；　the　people　had　crowded　the　temple　courts；　watching　the　contest　that　had　been　in　progress；　and　they　eagerly　caught　every　word　that　fell　from　His　lips。　Never　before　had　such　a　scene　been　witnessed。　There　stood　the　young　Galilean；　bearing　no　earthly　honor　or　royal　badge。　Surrounding　Him　were　priests　in　their　rich　apparel；　rulers　with　robes　and　badges　significant　of　their　exalted　station；　and　scribes　with　scrolls　in　their　hands；　to　which　they　made　frequent　reference。　Jesus　stood　calmly　before　them；　with　the　dignity　of　a　king。　As　one　invested　with　the　authority　of　heaven；　He　looked　unflinchingly　upon　His　adversaries；　who　had　rejected　and　despised　His　teachings；　and　who　thirsted　for　His　life。　They　had　assailed　Him　in　great　numbers；　but　their　schemes　to　ensnare　and　condemn　Him　had　been　in　vain。　Challenge　after　challenge　He　had　met；　presenting　the　pure；　bright　truth　in　contrast　to　the　darkness　and　errors　of　the　priests　and　Pharisees。　He　had　set　before　these　leaders　their　real　condition；　and　the　retribution　sure　to　follow　persistence　in　their　evil　deeds。　The　warning　had　been　faithfully　given。　Yet　another

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　611

work　remained　for　Christ　to　do。　Another　purpose　was　still　to　be　accomplished。

The　interest　of　the　people　in　Christ　and　His　work　had　steadily　increased。　They　were　charmed　with　His　teaching；　but　they　were　also　greatly　perplexed。　They　had　respected　the　priests　and　rabbis　for　their　intelligence　and　apparent　piety。　In　all　religious　matters　they　had　ever　yielded　implicit　obedience　to　their　authority。　Yet　they　now　saw　these　men　trying　to　cast　discredit　upon　Jesus；　a　teacher　whose　virtue　and　knowledge　shone　forth　the　brighter　from　every　assault。　They　looked　upon　the　lowering　countenances　of　the　priests　and　elders；　and　there　saw　discomfiture　and　confusion。　They　marveled　that　the　rulers　would　not　believe　on　Jesus；　when　His　teachings　were　so　plain　and　simple。　They　themselves　knew　not　what　course　to　take。　With　eager　anxiety　they　watched　the　movements　of　those　whose　counsel　they　had　always　followed。

In　the　parables　which　Christ　had　spoken；　it　was　His　purpose　both　to　warn　the　rulers　and　to　instruct　the　people　who　were　willing　to　be　taught。　But　there　was　need　to　speak　yet　more　plainly。　Through　their　reverence　for　tradition　and　their　blind　faith　in　a　corrupt　priesthood；　the　people　were

612

enslaved。　These　chains　Christ　must　break。　The　character　of　the　priests；　rulers；　and　Pharisees　must　be　more　fully　exposed。

〃The　scribes　and　the　Pharisees；〃　He　said；　〃sit　in　Moses'　seat：　all　therefore　whatsoever　they　bid　you　observe；　that　observe　and　do；　but　do　not　ye　after　their　works：　for　they　say；　and　do　not。〃　The　scribes　and　Pharisees　claimed　to　be　invested　with　divine　authority　similar　to　that　of　Moses。　They　assumed　to　take　his　place　as　expounders　of　the　law　and　judges　of　the　people。　As　such　they　claimed　from　the　people　the　utmost　deference　and　obedience。　Jesus　bade　His　hearers　do　that　which　the　rabbis　taught　according　to　the　law；　but　not　to　follow　their　example。　They　themselves　did　not　practice　their　own　teaching。

And　they　taught　much　that　was　contrary　to　the　Scriptures。　Jesus　said；　〃They　bind　heavy　burdens　and　grievous　to　be　borne；　and　lay　them　on　men's　shoulders；　but　they　themselves　will　not　move　them　with　one　of　their　fingers。〃　The　Pharisees　enjoined　a　multitude　of　regulations；　having　their　foundation　in　tradition；　and　unreasonably　restricting　personal　liberty。　And　certain　portions　of　the　law　they　so　explained