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| How little access Christ seemed to have to the people! Many believed on him, but dared not confess him because they were afraid of being put out of the synagogue. Now, we see how Christ was treated by them, and shall we treat him in the same manner? Think of Christ's coming down from glory, leaving his Father's throne, and suffering as he did for us! He came to bring the cup of salvation to those who were willing to drink it; but they struck it out of their hands. And when the people embrace the truth under your labors, do not think that it is you that have done the work, but remember that it is Jesus working through you; and let Jesus put his Spirit upon them, and also upon you, that you may work with all the ability that God has given you. If you have a sharp, bright thought, it is not you who created that thought, but God. I never yet felt satisfied as I have stood before the people. I never felt that I had said anything that I should be lifted up over. But if I have said anything that has reached the hearts of the people, it has been because God has worked through me. We must press the battle to the gate. There is no time for us to lose. There is no time for us to try to make a smooth path for our feet. We must take it as it is, with all its inconveniences and troubles, knowing that the God of Israel is by your side, and we shall see of his salvation. {RH, May 10, 1887 par. 19} |
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| Since Christ was treated thus, can we be surprised when those to whom He has given His message are rejected and scorned by men whose resistance of light is even less excusable than was the resistance of the Jews? {RH, March 26, 1901 par. 13} |
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| "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" The wrath of God fell upon Christ. This was the hiding of the Father's countenance. Tho innocent, Christ was treated as a sinner, that through His merits sinners, tho guilty, might be treated as the loyal and obedient children of God. Christ died with the sins of the world imputed to Him, that His righteousness might be imputed to the sinner. When the sense of the loss of His Father's favor was withdrawn, Christ had drained the last dregs in the cup of bitterness. {ST, April 14, 1898 par. 9} {18MR 73.1} |
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| These words were spoken by Christ when enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, and were given to Moses for the chosen people of God. The Lord has not left the world without witness. He has His loyal, chosen people. They do not make this world their home, but they are here to witness for God; and as long as probation lasts, a living witness will be borne by these faithful messengers. Satan and his angels confederate with evil men against God's people, the champions of righteousness. They strive to counteract their testimony, and to destroy them. So Christ was treated. The Prince of Life came to His own, but they refused to receive Him. Though rebellion against His law had become widespread, He came on an embassage of mercy, to save, not to condemn the world. He called upon all to behold Him, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. But He was scorned as a deceiver, and hunted from place to place as a pretender. {ST, June 2, 1898 par. 2} |
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| Christ was treated with contempt |
| The Jews were looking for a Messiah to be revealed in outward show. They expected Him, by one flash of overmastering will, to change the current of men's thoughts, and force from them an acknowledgment of His supremacy. Thus, they believed, He was to secure His own exaltation, and gratify their ambitious hopes. Thus when Christ was treated with contempt, there came to Him a strong temptation to manifest His divine character. By a word, by a look, He could compel His persecutors to confess that He was Lord above kings and rulers, priests and temple. But it was His difficult task to keep to the position He had chosen as one with humanity. {DA 700.4} |
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| The Jews were continually seeking for and expecting a Divinity among them that would be revealed in outward show, and by one flash of overmastering will would change the current of all minds, force from them an acknowledgment of his superiority, elevate himself, and gratify the ambition of his people. This being the case, when Christ was treated with contempt, there was a powerful temptation before him to reveal his heavenly character, and to compel his persecutors to admit that he was Lord above kings and potentates, priests and temple. But it was his difficult task to maintain the level of humanity. {3SP 260.1} |
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| The Jews were continually seeking for and expecting a Divinity among them that would be revealed in outward show, and by one flash of over-mastering will would change the current of all minds, force from them an acknowledgment of his superiority, elevate himself, and gratify the ambition of his people. This being the case, when Christ was treated with contempt, there was a powerful temptation before him to reveal his heavenly character, and to compel his persecutors to admit that he was Lord above kings and potentates, priests and temple. But it was his difficult task to maintain the level of humanity. {6Red 77.2} |
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