JAMl^yhi fEqPPl ANDREWS UNSVg|srf
BERRIEN. SPRINGS, MICHIGAN
HERITAGE ROOM
Pamphlets
Dear Student:
We are happy to introduce the life of Christ to you in an intimate and personal way through the LIGHT OF THE WORLD Bible Course. The bright rays that stream from Christ, the Light of the World, are focused on these pages so that you can see Him in His beauty and glory.
Think for a minute about the impact the life of Christ has had on our world. “Here is a young man who
was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman___He worked in a carpenter shop until He was
thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office.
He never owned a home. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled 200 miles from the place where He was born. He never did one of the things that usually
accompany greatness______While He was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against Him.
His friends ran away. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth, and that was His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a
friend. Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone, and today He is the central figure of the human race__
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that were ever built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as has that One Solitary Life." Phillips Brooks.
May God bless you as you study.
Sincerely your friends,
The Voice of Prophecy Staff
INSTRUCTIONS
We are pleased to send you the first lesson of our Bible Course. All of the lessons are free. It is our sincere hope that you will find help and guidance for our troubled times in the remaining lessons of this course which we will be sending to you. When you complete the course, you will receive a beautiful diploma.
How to Proceed
(1)	Read the enclosed lesson.
(2)	Fill in the summary sheet, and information requested.
(3)	Mail the summary sheet to the Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore. (Use the same envelope you received your lesson in to return your summary sheet. Insert the slip of paper with the Voice of Prophecy address on it so that the address shows through the window envelope).
(4)	Do not return the lesson to us, only the summary sheet.
(5)	Your summary sheet will be corrected and returned to you along with Lessons 2 and 3.
Why not send in your summary sheet today? Should any point not be clear to you, experienced Bible Instructors are anxious to help you with your Bible questions. We want to help you in every way possible in your study of God's word.
The more you refer to your Bible and your lesson in answering these summary questions, the better Bible student you will become. It is well to read the lesson through twice before filling in the summary sheet. May God bless you as you write. We are praying for YOU.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture quotations in this publication are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946,1952 c 1971, by the Division of Christain Education, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U. S. A. and used by permission. The spelling used in these lessons follows that of the Revised Standard Version. However, to make the language of the Bible more understandable to present-day readers, a number of other modem translations of the Bible are used. Abbreviations for the versions used other than the Revised Standard Version are as follows:
A.	C. E.	Authorized Catholic Edition
The New Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Authorized Catholic Edition, Copyright 1941 Guild Press,
New York
Bar.	Barclay's personal translation, found in his series, The Daily Study Bible,
Westminster Press, Philadelphia 1957
B.	V.	The Berkeley Version
Taken from THE MODERN LANGUAGE BIBLE, Berkeley Version, Copyright 0 1945,59,69, by Zondervan Publishing House and is used by permission.
Gds.	Goodspeed's translation
Taken from Smith and Goodspeed, The Complete Bible:
An American Translation, Copyright 1939 by the University of Chicago
K.J.V.	King James Version
N. E. B.	New English Bible
Taken from The New English Bible 0 The Delegates of the Oxford University Press and The Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 1961,1970. Reprinted by Permission
Phi.	Phillips' translation
Taken from The New Testament in Modern English, J. B. Phillips, Collins Publishers. Used by permission.
T. E. V.	Today's English Version
Good News for Modem Man, The New Testament in Today’s English Version, copyrighted by The American Bible Society,
New York. Used by permission.
Apart from the Bible, the source most widely used is the writings of E. G. White, especially her incomparable biography of Christ called The Desire of Ages. Other books by the same author are Christ’s Object Lessons, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, and The Great Controversy.
William Barclay's series entitled The Daily Study Bible', G. Campbell Morgan's books, The Crises of the Christ (Fleming H. Reveil Company, used by permission), and The Great Physician; Fulton Sheen's Life of Christ; Jacob Minkin's Herod, King of the Jews', and a number of other sources, also provided valuable insights.
It is hoped that through these lessons the reader may obtain a more glorious view of Jesus, the Light of the World.
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LIGHT OF THE WORLD — 1
WANTED: A SAVIOR
The world was dark before Jesus came.
Four thousand years had passed since that gloomy day when man surrendered to Satan. Death walked into the world and claimed every living thing for his own. With horror Adam and Eve * saw the leaves fall off the trees - - the first omen that all living things must die. With their own hands they had to slay the sacrificial lamb, a token that their sin would some day slay the Son of God Himself. They saw their eldest son become a murderer, and they wept over the slain body of their second son. For almost a thousand years they watched wickedness increase in the earth until at last they found relief in death. (See Genesis 3, 4, and 5.)
♦The father and mother of mankind
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But men finally became so violent that God had to destroy the whole world with a flood. Only one righteous family remained on earth, the family of Noah. But the virus of evil still lived in the hearts of his sons and was passed on to future generations. Once again, as the earth became repopulated, hatred, wars, and wickedness multiplied. Empires rose and fell, building on the crushed bodies of millions of men.
Sin became a science, with men studying new techniques of practicing it. The bodies of human beings, made for the dwelling place of God, became the habitation of demons. The senses, the nerves, the passions, the organs of men were worked by supernatural agencies in the indulgence of the vilest lust. The very stamp of demons was impressed on the faces of men.
To the great masses of people death was a mystery and the grave was wrapped in gloom. So, to shut out their fear of the future, men lived for the pleasures of sense. Their philosophy was, “Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.”
The human race had sunk low before Jesus came.
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1. The Chosen People.
During the long night of sin, God kept a light burning. Through the ages a line of holy men held high the torch of truth. After the flood, when the world had once again forgotten God, faithful Abraham spread the light among the nations of his day.
God selected him to become the father of the chosen people. These people, who lived in the country of Palestine, were called Israelites or Jews. From this nation came the prophets who foretold the coming of “Messiah/' the great Deliverer.
But Israel was a rebellious nation. Often the light of truth flickered low as they turned from the true God to worship idols. Then another great man of God would arise to call the nation back to the ways of righteousness.
But before Jesus came Israel's light had almost gone out. In an attempt to avoid the sins of the heathen world, the Jews built a wall of separation around themselves. They thought they alontf were entitled to God's blessing. They hugged the bread of life, God’s Word, to themselves and refused to impart it to the hungry nations around them.
Over a hundred years before Christ was born, a religious party arose known as the Pharisees. The name means
“Separated Ones." The Pharisees wanted to be separate from the world and its defilement. To achieve this goal, they hedged themselves in with hundreds of rules and laws. Their rules for Sabbath observance were especially strict. It was against the law to carry a handkerchief on the Sabbath, because that would be carrying a burden. But if the handkerchief were sewed to one’s garment, it was no longer a burden, but part of the garment. It was wrong to walk more than two-thirds of a mile on the Sabbath or to write more than two letters of the alphabet.
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ADVENTIST HERITAGE CËNTFR
2. Roman Imperialism
The results of all this attention to detail were disastrous. A man could pretend to be very holy by carefully observing all these laws, while secretly he might be committing great sins. People became strict about petty details but neglected justice, mercy, and truth. Outward acts were considered more important than inward goodness. Law took the place of love. The Jewish religion became a burden to the Jews and an impassable barrier to the nations around them.
Even the light had become darkness before Jesus came.
The world seethed with hatred in those days. It was an age of empirebuilding and colonialism on the largest scale. One nation ruled over much of the world, changing once-proud countries into resentful colonies.
Fifty years before Christ was born the great Julius Caesar had conquered many nations of Europe, Asia, and Africa, greatly extending the Roman Empire. The Mediterranean Sea was a Roman lake. Roman soldiers occupied all of the nations around its perimeter.
Palestine, on the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea, did not escape. The Jews had wandered so far from God
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■' Herod the Great.
that He could no longer protect them from their enemies. It was because they had forsaken God that the Roman eagle stood over their temple and Roman soldiers occupied their land.
No people hated the Roman conquerors more than the jews. Bands of Jewish guerrillas constantly harassed the occupying troops. Time and again the jews rebelled, only to be crushed with greater ferocity than before. More than anything the Jews wanted independence. They had long waited for Messiah, the Savior, to come. They fondly hoped that He would drive the oppressor from their land and make them an independent and powerful nation.
But the Jews were responsible for their own enslavement. While they were quarreling among themselves, a foreigner edged his way onto the throne, unseating the last Jewish king, John Hyrcanus II.
Herod the Great, an Arab of the desert descended from Esau, saw in the weakness of the divided Jews a chance to build himself a kingdom. By supporting the Roman emperors, he won from them the title of king of Israel. But though Rome gave him his crown, he had to fight for his throne. Gathering an army, he besieged the capital city of Jerusalem until corpses were piled high inside her walls. When he broke in he found himself “master of a city m ruins, and king of a nation that hated him.”
Herod did not sit easily on his throne. His life was a constant struggle to win the favor of the Jews and to kill his enemies before they killed him. The two efforts did not combine very well.
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One way Herod tried to win the hearts of his people was to transform the shabby Jerusalem into a city of palaces and magnificent public buildings. But the religious Jews were offended by the theaters and sports arenas he introduced. Then he announced that he wanted to rebuild the temple. The Jews were outraged. Their temple was too sacred for this heathen king with bloody hands to defile! But Herod stuck to his plan. The temple, built five hundred years before by Zerubbabel, was dilapidated. Herod was careful to tear down and rebuild only a small section at a time so that the temple services were never interrupted. When he finished there stood on Mt. Zion an exquisite structure of white marble and gold that dazzled the eyes. Forever after the Jews were proud of their temple.
But they never learned to love their king. Though Herod had married into the Jewish royal family, they never trusted him, and he always felt they were plotting against him. He killed Hyrcanus II, Israel’s last king and his wife’s grand-
father. Later he killed his wife’s brother. Then, becomirig suspicious of his wife Mariamne hérself, he had her executed. Immediately he was overwhelmed with remorse. He had killed the only one he really loved! He wept, he shrieked, he tore his hair, he nearly went insane. To atone for his crime he lavished affeciion on Mariamne’s two sons. But they had no sooner reached manhood than he suspected them of treason and ordered their execution.
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ft is not surprising that the old king reacted so strongly when he heard that a new king of the Jews had been born in Bethlehem. Enraged at the thought of another rival, he ordered the massacre of all of the boy babies of Bethlehem. This was one of the last acts of Herod the Great. Soon afterward he died a fearful death.
A man insane with jealousy --this was Israel's king when it was time for Jesus to come. And by the sure word of prophecy, that time was near. For the patriarch Israel, on his dying bed, had predicted: ‘The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet; until Shiloh come." Genesis 49:10, K.J.V. Already a foreigner had snatched the scepter from the kings of Judah. It was time for Shiloh, the Deliverer, to come!
Yes, the world was dark with sin, oppression, rebellion, hypocrisy, and hatred in those days.
And then Jesus came.
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IRIEN SPRINGS.
HERITAGE R
Pamphigti
LIGHT OF THE WORLD - 2
WHEN GOD BECAME MAN.
The clock of heaven struck the hour for the greatest event of history. The Son of God left the throne of the universe to go and dwell on one of the smallest planets He had created. To show how much He loved all His creatures - even those who rebelled against Him -He wrapped Himself up in a little bundle of human flesh to be born and grow up and live as a man among men.
“When the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman. ” Galatians 4:4.
This was the moment angels and men had waited for ever since God had promised to save the one lost world. For before God ever made our little world, He knew the heartache it would bring to Him and made plans to save it. And though it was a struggle, even for the King of the universe, to send His Son to earth on a mission of humiliation and suffering, yet “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son." John 3:16. Wonderful love of God for a world that did not love Him!
The Son of God had waited thousands of years before He came down to earth. During that time the world was not left without hope. Through the prophets God had repeatedly promised to send a Savior.
The prophet Isaiah had predicted that the Mighty God would come down to earth as an infant.
“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given: and the government will be upon His shoulder: and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor; Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ’’ Isaiah 9:6.
The prophet Micah had predicted the place of His birth. “But you, 0 Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the dans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel', whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. ” Micah 5:2.
In symbolic language the prophet Daniel had even foretold the exact year when the Deliverer would begin His work. "Know therefore and understand that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks.n Daniel 9:25,K.J.V.
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The earliest promise of all had been given to the weeping Adam and Eve - a promise about the Seed of the woman who would bruise the serpent’s head, though He too would be bruised. Genesis 3:15. Every woman in Israel understood this to mean that some day a woman would have a Son who would destroy the devil. And every woman hoped that she would be that one, the mother of the Messiah.
1. THE KING'S MOTHER.
(Based on Luke 1:26-35.)
From heaven God looked down to earth to choose a woman worthy to be the mother of His Son. Passing by the homes of wealth and honor,
He saw a quiet little home in Nazareth of Galilee, where a young woman of highest character named Mary lived. She was engaged to marry Joseph, the town carpenter, a widower with several sons. Though Mary and Joseph were both descended from the royal line of David, Israel's greatest king, they were very poor. This was the heritage God chose for His Son -a small-town environment where the royal Son must live a peasant’s life of hard work in the struggle against poverty.
One day a messenger from heaven came to Mary’s home in Nazareth.
“Hail, 0 favored one, the Lord is with you !” he said. Verse 28.
Mary wondered who her visitor might be and what he meant by those strange words. Seeing how frightened she was, the angel continued gently:
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there will be no end." Verses 30-33.
To Mary this seemed impossible. Her son to be a king! To reign forever on David’s throne! But then her face clouded as she thought of the difficulties. She said to the angel, ’Wow can this be, since / have no husband ?” Verse 34.
The angel then told her an amazing secret: Joseph would not be the father of this Child, nor any other human being. God would be His Father. “And the angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you,, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.' ” Verse 35.
Mary bowed her head in submission. “Behold, / am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. ” Verse 38.
When Joseph heard that Mary was going to have a baby, he was greatly disturbed. Being a kind man, he made plans to break off the engagement as quietly as possible.
But while he was thinking of these things, an angel appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit: she will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. ” Matthew 1:20, 21.
Awed by the amazing revelation, Joseph willingly took Mary to be his wife.
2. THE KING IS BORN
(Based on Luke 2: 1-7.)
Some months later, Caesar Augustus, emperor of Rome, made a decree that all the world should be enrolled in a census. Since Joseph and Mary were both of the family of King David, they were required to go to Bethlehem, the royal city, to enroll their names. This was a most inconvenient time
to make the eighty-mile trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem, for it was almost time for the Baby to be born. But there was a reason why they must go. The prophet Micah had said that the King would be born in Bethlehem, not in Nazareth. So God used the decree of Caesar to bring the parents of Jesus to the right place at the right time.
It was a tiresome journey, nevertheless. By the time the couple reached Bethlehem after several days on the road, Mary was exhausted.
How she longed for a comfortable place in which to rest! But the town’s only inn was already full. Joseph went up and down the street looking for a vacant room. Finally someone directed him to a cattle shed.
And it was there in that dismal place, with only cattle and sheep for attendants, that Jesus, the Savior of the world, was born. Joseph piled some hay in a manger and laid the new-born Infant there.
This was the best place earth could find for her Redeemer.
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3. THE KING IS WELCOMED.
(Based on Luke 2: 8-20.)
But though men did rrot recognize their King when He came, all heaven was filled with joy at the great event. Angels were eager to herald the news to all mankind. They came first to the leaders of the Jewish nation. But these men were not ready to receive Jesus. They expected Messiah to be a mighty king who would drive out the Roman invaders and bring them independence and prestige. They would not accept as Savior one born in poverty and lowliness.
The angels passed them by.
Then as the heavenly host passed over the hills of Bethlehem, they heard shepherds talking. “Isn’t it time for the Deliverer to come?” they were saying. Angels knew that these humble shepherds had hearts big enough to receive their King. Suddenly one of them burst in upon the startled shepherds with the great news.
“And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, 'Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, and lying in a manger.' ” Verses 9-12.
Considerately, just one angel had appeared to the shepherds to let their eyes become accustomed to the divine radiance. But then the other angels could contain themselves no longer. Suddenly the sky was filled with the heavenly hosts, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. ”
Verse 14, K.J.V.
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4. THE KING IS DEDICATED.
(Based on Luke 2: 22-38.)
As the shepherds watched, the angels disappeared, and the glory faded away. It was dark again. But the shepherds could not forget the great news. “Let us go over to Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened\ which the Lord has made known to us," they said. Verse 15. They quickly ran to the cattle shed where they found Mary and Joseph, with the new-born King.
The shepherds recognized that the tiny Infant was none other than the great Messiah for whom they had been longing. They had no gifts to offer Him but their love and adoration. When they returned to the fields they told everyone they met about the glorious news.
Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary took Him to the temple in Jerusalem. It was the custom of their nation to present the first-born son of each family in dedication to God at the temple. Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the priest as the law required.
The priest saw nothing unusual in this peasant couple and their Child. As he dedicated the Baby to God, he did not know that he held in his arms the Savior of the world. The priest did not recognize this Baby as the Son of God.
But God did not let His Son go unnoticed.
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5. THEKING IS EXILED.
(Based on Matthew 2.)
At that very time there were in the temple two servants of God — Simeon, an aged saint, and Anna, an aged prophetess. Both had long looked for the coming of the Messiah. God had promised Simeon that he should not die until he had seen the Savior. As soon as he saw the Infant in the temple, he knew that this was the Promised One. Simeon took the Child in his arms and praised God saying, "Now,
Lord\ You have kept Your promise, and You may let Your. servant go in peace. For with my own eyes / have seen Your salvation, which You have made ready in the presence of all people: a light to reveal Your way to the Gentiles, and to give glory to Your people Israel." Luke 2: 29-32, T.E.V. Anna also gave thanks to God for bringing the Savior into the world.
Mary looked at the Babe in her arms with wonder. What kind of Child was this, heralded by angels, worshiped by shepherds, and adored by prophets? What a trust God had given her!
God meant for others as well as the Jews to know that the Messiah had come. In a country far to the east were wise men who had studied the prophecies of the Bible concerning the Deliverer. They also believed that His coming was near. The Jews called these men heathen. But they were seekers for truth, willing to follow the light as soon as they saw it. These men had learned to know God through the study of His handiwork in nature. They were especially familiar with the stars and their movements.
On the night when angels had come to the shepherds of Bethlehem, the wise men noticed a strange light in the sky. When this light faded away, they saw in the heavens something that looked like a star.
At once they thought of the prophecy which says: "There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel. ” Numbers 24:17, K.J.V.
Was this star a sign that the Savior had come? They determined to follow it, to see where it would lead. Traveling by night to keep the star in view, they finally came to Judea. But when they reached Jerusalem, the capital city, the star grew so dim that they could no longer follow it. Coming into
the city, they began to inquire everywhere about the new-born King. They supposed that everyone had heard about His birth. "Where is He who has been bom King of the Jews? they inquired.''For we have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him. ” Verse 2.
Soon all Jerusalem was excited about the strange visitors from the East. The news even reached the palace of Herod the king. Immediately the old tyrant’s suspicions were aroused. Summoning the wise men into his presence, he demanded an explanation of their mission. Not knowing of the envy that burned in Herod’s heart, the wise men frankly stated that they were looking for the newly-born King of the Jews. They expressed surprise that no one knew where He was.
Herod called in the priests and demanded to know from their Scriptures where the Messiah was to be born. ‘7/? Bethlehem of Judea, ” they said, ufor so it is written by the prophet. ” Verse 5.
Herod suspected a plot to take his throne. He knew himself to be a usurper - a foreigner with no right to the throne of Israel. But here was one born to the throne -a Jew with the blood of David in His veins. While his emotions raged with fury, Herod maintained a calm exterior. Professing genuine interest in the news of the new King’s birth, he took the wise men aside and told them, "Go and search diligently for the Child, and when you have found Him bring me word\ that / too may come and worship
Him. ”
ik
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But he really intended to kill Him.
‘‘When they had heard the king they went their way; and to, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts; gold and frankincense and myrrh. ” Verses 9-11.
Beneath the lowly appearance of Jesus, they recognized the presence of God. They worshiped Him as their Lord, arid poured out rich gifts upon Him. What a faith they had - faith greater than that of the Chosen People.
The wise men had not suspend Herod’s plot. They were about to return to him when they had a dream warning them to hold no further communication with him. Avoiding Jerusalem, they set out for their own country by another route.
In the same manner Joseph received warning to flee into Egypt with Mary and the Child. The angel said, “Remain there till / tell you; for Herod is about to search for the Child, to destroy Him. ” Verse 13. Joseph obeyed without delay, setting out on the journey by night for greater security. The costly gifts of the wise men defrayed the expense of the journey and the sojourn in Egypt.
Meanwhile Herod waited for the return of the wise men so that he might find the Child and put Him to death. When he realized his plan had been foiled, the enraged king sent soldiers to Bethlehem to slaughter all the children under two years of age.
Herod’s life had been full of cruel deeds, but this act crowned them all. As if in punishment for his evil deeds, he shortly afterward died a terrible death.
Joseph and Mary remained in Egypt till after the death of Herod. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to J oseph in a dream and said,
“Rise, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the Child's life are dead. ” Verse 20.
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Since Jesus was the heir to David's throne, Joseph wanted to make their home in Bethlehem. But when he learned that Herod Archelaus reigned in Judea in place of his father, he feared that the son might also try to slay Jesus. Of all the sons of Herod, Archelaus most resembled him in character. He had already killed thousands of Jews who had tried to rebel against him.
Again an angel directed Joseph to a place of safety. He returned to Nazareth, his former home, and there Jesus lived for nearly thirty years.
Such was Jesus' reception when He came to earth. Rejected by the rich, He was accepted by poor shepherds. Unrecognized by His own countrymen, He was honored by foreigners. Ignored by the religious leaders, pursued by a jealous king, He was unwelcome in the world He had come to save. “He came to His own home, and His own people received Him not.' John 1:11.
There seemed to be no place of rest or safety for the infant Redeemer. God could not trust His beloved Son with men; He had to commission angels to attend Jesus and protect Him until He should accomplish His mission on earth, and die by the hands of those whom He came to save.
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‘7 am the light of the world” — Jesus Christ
Summary Sheet
Lesson 2	Registration No. _
Directions: In the following questions three out of four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	What details of Christ’s coming had been predicted beforehand?
A Isaiah predicted that the Mighty God would become an infant.
B	Micah said He would be born in Bethlehem.
C	Daniel told the exact year He would be born.
D God told Eve that one of her offspring would destroy the devil.	(Introduction)
2.	What is the truth about Jesus’ birth?
A Joseph was His natural father.
B	Mary was His natural mother.
C He was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
D	He was both Son of God and Son of man. (Section	1)
3.	What kind of home background did God choose for His Son?
A	Parents descended from King David.
B	A home of wealth and honor.
C	A mother of highest character.
D	A small-town environment.	(Section	1)
4.	Who honored Jesus at His birth?
A	The angels of heaven.
B	The people of Jerusalem.
C	Shepherds out in the fields.
D Wise men from the east.	(Sections 3 and 5)
5.	Why did the Jewish priests and leaders fail to recognize their Messiah?
A They expected Messiah to be a mighty king.
B	They thought He would be born in pomp and majesty.
C	They had never read the prophecies about His coming.
D They would not accept one born in poverty. (Sections 3 and 5)
Your response (not graded):
If Jesus came to you today, how would you receive Him?
__________ Like the inn-keeper, I would have no room in my busy life
for Him.
________Like the Jewish leaders, I would be too proud to receive Him.
________ Like Herod, I would be afraid of a rival for the control of
my life.
________Like Simeon, I would be thrilled to see the one I had been
longing for.
________Like the shepherds and wise men, I would bow down and
worship Him.
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
Name .....
Full Address
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
(Do not return your lesson booklets; they are yours to keep. Send only the Sammary Sheets. They will be checked and promptly returned to you with your next lessons.)
Pamphlet*
jamI^hite "ANDREWS UNIVERSJ
BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN
HERITAGE ROOM
LIP
LIGHT OF THE WORLD -3
LADDER TO HEAVEN
It was a long way from the throne of the universe to the manger in Bethlehem, from the glory of heaven to the dinginess of the cattle shed, from the adoration of angels to companionship with beasts in a stall. The Son of God stooped low to take humanity.
How He did it and why He did it are mysteries we shall never completely understand. Throughout all eternity we will wonder at the amazing condescension and love of God.
In imagination let us go into the cattle shed and look at the Baby lying on the hay. How tiny He is — how helpless and sweet! But remember, He is not an ordinary baby. He is the Son of God, the Creator of the world. Wonder of wonders, here is God disguised as an infant! Here is the Infinite One who fills heaven and earth — confined to swaddling clothes! Here is the All-powerful One lying completely helpless. Here is the Allwise One unable to utter a single word.
He emptied Himself of His glory — He even emptied Himself of consciousness — in order to become a human being. But we shall never understand how low He stooped until we try to grasp how high was His position before He came.
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1. J esus Christ Was God
Who is Jesus Christ?
There are three Persons in the Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ is the Second Person of the Godhead. Although the Father is above all (1 Corinthians 15:28), yet the Son is also God in the fullest sense of the word.
The Apostle John calls Jesus Christ “the Word” and tells us some wonderful facts about Him.
In the beginning was the Word, and the. Word was with God', and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. J ohn 1:1 -3,14.
As we study this passage, certain facts become clear.
1.	Jesus was God. “The Word was God.”
2.	Jesus was the Creator of all things.
3.	Jesus was the source of all life.
4.	This great God, Creator, and Giver of life “became flesh and dwelt among us. ”
Jesus is called God in many other parts of the Bible.
The Father calls Him God. “But of the Son He says, Thy throne, 0 God, is for ever and ever.' ” Hebrews 1:8
Isaiah the prophet, writing of the infant Jesus, calls Him “Mighty God. ” “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given;... and His name will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.' ” Isaiah 9:6.
One of Jesus’ own disciples called Him: “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28.
Because Jesus is called the “Son of God, ” does this mean that He had a beginning, that He was younger than His Father? No, Jesus existed from all eternity with His Father.
Out of [Bethlehem] shall He come forth unto me that is to be.ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from the days of eternity. Micah 5:2, margin, K.J.V.
2 Jesus Christ Emptied Himself
Jesus Christ had in Himself all of the fulness of God. “For in Him all the
fulness of God was pleased to dwell." Colossians 1:19.
But one day almost two thousand years ago, this One who was filled with all the fulness of God did an astonishing thing.
He emptied Himself.
The Apostle Paul vividly describes what this means.
“Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who though He was by nature God, did not consider being equal to God a thing to be dung to, but emptied Himself, taking the nature of a slave and being made like unto men. And appearing in the form of man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death, even to death on a cross." Philippians 2:5-8, A.C.E.
Down, down the ladder of humiliation went the Son of God. How far the first step took Him: God became a man! The Creator became a creature!
But what kind of man did He become? A king? No, a slave. He who was God, who even had the blood of earthly kings flowing in His veins, became a servant, born to a life of poverty and hard work.
But Jesus' humiliation did not end there. He stepped further down the ladder and became subject to death, something foreign to His nature as the Source of life.
But even that was not all. He died not a death of honor as a hero, but a death of shame as a criminal. He who was sinless suffered all the shame and abuse and disgrace of sin.
Jesus went all the way down the ladder of humiliation in order to rescue you and me from our pride.
The spirit of the world is the spirit of pride. This was the spirit that began in the heart of Lucifer,* that corrupted a third of the angels of heaven, and that brought ruin to our world.
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Lucifer was the highest angel in heaven until he rebelled against God. Then he became Satan, the devil.
What a contrast there was between the spirit of Christ and the spirit of Lucifer! This is what Lucifer said:
“I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God
/ will set my throne on high;
/ will sit on the mount of assembly in the far north;
I	will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
/ will make myself like the Most High." Isaiah 14:13,14.
The passion of Lucifer was to exalt himself. The passion of Jesus was to humble Himself. Lucifer wanted to ascend to the stars. Jesus was willing to descend to earth. Lucifer wanted to become a god. Jesus was willing to become a man.
Jesus came to reveal a different spirit from the spirit of Satan that had gained control of mankind. He came to reveal a new concept of greatness. Men strive for wealth. Jesus threw His wealth away and became poor. Men struggle for position, rank, and authority. Jesus stripped Himself of the highest rank in the universe and became a servant. Men admire beauty of form and face. Jesus had “no beauty that we should desire Him. ” Isaiah 53:2.
Men prize fame and recognition.
Jesus “made Himself of no reputation” Philippians 2:7 K.J.V.
Yet, without all of these outward symbols of success, He became the greatest Man who ever lived on earth.
He showed that greatness comes from inward worth, not external appearances. He valued love, kindness, unselfishness, and purity. He came to inject the spirit of heaven into a world diseased by sin.
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3 Jesus Christ, the Middle Man
Sin had made a great separation between God and man. When Satan led the world in rebellion against God, he dared to hope that heaven and earth would break off relations forever.
God is so holy that He cannot endure sin. Man is so sinful that he cannot endure the presence of God. Who could bring them together? Who could span the gulf? Who could unite heaven and earth again?
What was needed was a mediator — somebody acceptable to both God and man — someone who could represent God to man and man to God.
But there was no one on earth who was acceptable to heaven, since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. The mediator would have to come from heaven. The Son of God decided to be that one. He was already God’s beloved Son, entirely acceptable to God.
But how could He make Himself acceptable to men? That was not easy.
First He would have to become a man. Men could never endure to look at God. He would have to hide His glory by clothing Himself in human flesh.
To be acceptable to men He would need to go through life as a man, experiencing birth, growth, childhood, and manhood, like every other human being.
More than this, He would need to become like His human brothers in every respect, to taste every experience of life as they must taste it.
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ADVENTIST
Jesus submitted to ail this. What is more, He did not choose an easy life, but the hardest one possible — much more difficult than any other human being has ever endured.
He knew poverty and hard work.
He felt hunger and pain and exhaustion.
He was tempted in all points like as
we are. Hebrews 4:15.
But He never yielded to temptation.
He suffered as we have to suffer.
Hebrews 2:10.
He even experienced death — not just the death of one man, but He tasted of death for every man.
Hebrews 2:9.
Since Jesus became completely human, passing through every experience of life as we do, He is fitted to be our representative, the Mediator between man and God.
"Therefore He had to be made like His brethren in every respectf so that He might become a merciful and
faithful high priest___For because
He Himself has suffered and been tempted\ He is able to help those who are tempted. ” Hebrews 2:17,18.
Jesus became a man so He could be our representative before God.
He also became a man so He could represent God to us.
From the day when Adam and Eve sinned, no man had looked upon God. Men forgot what God was like. Jesus came down to reveal the character of God to men.
“No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father; He has made Him known. ” John 1:18.
How beautifully He made Him known! Jesus, in His own self, brought God down to earth where men could look at Him, touch Him, listen to His words, watch Him act, and understand Him. He showed through the life He lived that God is sinless, God is love, God is kind and merciful. He gave the human race a new understanding of God.
Jesus in His own Person brought God down to earth, for He is God. Jesus, in His own Person, also brings man up to heaven, for He is man. He is the mediator between God and man, the one acceptable to both. Through Him heaven and earth have opened up relations again.
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4 Jesus Christ, the Ladder
Once a man named Jacob committed a great sin. By deceiving his blind old father, he stole the right of inheritance from his older brother Esau. When Esau found out about the deception, he was so furious he wanted to kill Jacob. Jacob immediately ran away from home. Hour after hour he traveled in great distress, oppressed by feelings of guilt. He was not only separated from his family; he also felt separated from God. In utter discouragement he lay down on the ground to sleep, pillowing his head on the stones.
But as he slept, Jacob had a wonderful dream. He saw a ladder that reached all the way from the throne of God right down to the place where he was. Angels were walking up and down the ladder. God stood up at the top and spoke to him. Oh how comforting were the words! '7 am with you and will keep you wherever you go. ” Genesis 28:15. God had not forsaken him after all! Jacob arose with a grateful heart and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I did not know it." Verse 16. Jacob never forgot the wonderful ladder that came all the way down from heaven to where he was.
Hundreds of years later, Jesus explained the meaning of Jacob’s dream. He told His disciples that He was the ladder which extended from heaven to earth. “Truly, truly / say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. ” John 1:51.
It is through Jesus that heaven and earth are connected again. If He were God alone, He would not be able to reach all the way down to where we are. If He were just man, He could not reach up to the throne of God. But because He is both God and man, He can take hold of the lowest man and lift him up to the throne of God!
5 Jesus, the Head of a New Race
When God became a man, something happened to our human race. It has never been the same since.
Through Jesus, humanity has become related to God.
By flesh and blood, Jesus is our own Brother. He is also God’s Son. So through our connection with Jesus we become sons of God. We are adopted into the family of heaven.
We are also born into the family of heaven. Jesus said that we could enter the kingdom of heaven by being born of the Spirit. John 3:5.
Jesus was born into our family so that we could be born into His family. He was born of the flesh so we could be born of the Spirit. He became one with us so we could become one with Him. He took our human nature so that we could partake of the divine nature.
Because of Jesus’ great sacrifice in becoming a man, millions of people from our fallen world have been transformed. They have become a new kind of people — people with two natures instead of one. They are born once with a human nature, and then born again with a spiritual nature. They are like Jesus, who is also human and divine. “For those whom [God] foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the first-born among many brethren. ” Romans 8:29 Jesus is the first of this new kind of people, the first-born of a new race.
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6 Jesus Belongs to Humanity Forever
Jesus did not take our human nature for just the thirty-three years He was upon earth. He took our human nature for all eternity. Even while He is in heaven now, He is still the “Son of man. ” Revelation 1:13.
Some day He will come back to this earth to live forever with His new race of redeemed ones. God will come down to live with men.
“Then / saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the
first earth had passed away--And I
saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a great voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.’ " Relevation 21:1-3, R.S.V., margin.
Heaven and earth will no more be separated. Heaven itself will come down to earth!
And Jesus Christ will forever be EMMANUEL: GOD WITH US.
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'7 am the light of the world” — Jesus Christ
Summary Sheet
Lesson 3	Registration No. _
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	According to the Bible, who is Jesus Christ?
A A great human teacher, like Buddha or Mohammed.
B The Second Person of the Godhead.
C The Creator of the world.
D The Mediator between God and man. (Sections 1 and 3)
2. What are some Bible evidences that Jesus Christ is divine?
A	He is called God.	
B	He made the world.	
C	He existed from all eternity.	
D	He held on to His exalted position.	(Section 1)
What	is so unbelievable about Jesus’ birth?	
A	The Creator became a creature.	
B	The Son of God stooped low to take humanity.	
C	The mighty God became a helpless baby.	
D	The human Christ was no longer God.	(Introduction)
How did Jesus humble Himself?		
A	He became a slave.	
B	He became poor.	
C	He became sinful.	
D	He died as a criminal.	(Section 2)
How	did Jesus earn the right to be man’s representative before God?	
A	The human race elected Him to the position.	
B	He experienced birth, childhood, and manhood like every	
	other human being.	
C	He was tempted in all points as we are.	
D	He felt the pains of death for every man.	(Section 3)
6. Jesus, in His own self, brought God down to earth so men could A	listen to His words.
B	see His divine brightness.
C	watch Him act.
D	touch Him.
(Section 3, last part)
7. Because Jesus became a man
A the human race has become related to God.
B J esus Christ is our blood-brother.
C the whole human race will receive eternal life.
D human beings may become one with God. (Section 5)
Your response (not graded):
1.	Are you impressed by the tremendous effort God made to get close to
you? _______yes_________________no
2.	Does this give you an idea of how important you are to God?
______yes	_______no
3.	Are you interested in opening up a close relationship with God?
------yes	_______no
Jesus said: “I will never turn away anyone who comes to Me.” John 6: 37, T.E.V.
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
Name
Full Address
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
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LIGHT OF THE WORLD -4
THL PEASANT PRINCE
Every king wants a son to carry on the royal line. And when that son comes into the family, how carefully he is trained even from his earliest years! Though the young prince may be just like other boys — full of fun and mischief — he must submit to a more rigorous discipline than his fellows. For some day all the responsibility of governing a nation will fall upon his shoulders.
From heaven the King of the universe looked down upon His Son, now a tiny Boy just out of infancy. He knew that this Child must some day become the Savior of the world. All the weight of saving lost humanity must fall upon His shoulders. How could this Boy be trained for the overwhelming task that lay ahead of Him? What kind of environment, what kind of education, what kind of descipline would He need.
God planned all the details of His Son’s life. And here is the program He followed to develop from a Boy the Savior of the world.
'! Give Him T>me to Grow
God gave His Son thirty years to prepare for three years of service. This means that for every year of public ministry, Jesus spent ten years in preparation. How important is preparation!
Jesus’ powers of mind and body developed gradually in harmony with the laws of childhood, yet He was perfect in every stage of development.
‘And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man.n Luke 2:52.
How brief the record is! Those were thirty quiet years about which the Bible says little. Yet there are many things we can know about the boy Jesus. We can learn what the bud was like by studying the flower. We can learn about the Child by studying the Man. For all the characteristics of manhood are formed in youth.
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2 Give Him Godly Parents
Jesus had a loveliness of disposition that began in youth. Even as a boy He never looked down on any human being. He was especially kind to those whom others despised — lepers, tax-collectors, soldiers, foreigners. In all of them He saw candidates for the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus developed habits that made Him strong spiritually. His custom of going to church on the Sabbath day (Luke 4:16) began as a child. And as the Man Jesus got up early in the morning to go to a quiet place to pray (Mark 1:35) we can be sure that the Boy Jesus rose before dawn to commune with God amid the trees of the forest.
Jesus the Man worked incessantly, often into the night, with hardly enough time to eat. Mark 6:31. We can be sure that the Boy Jesus was never lazy.
Jesus the Man sang hymns — probably the Psalms of David.
Matthew 26:30. In imagination we can hear the Boy singing as He worked in His Father’s shop, bringing cheer to the weary toilers of Nazareth.
God chose as parents for His Son a man and woman who lived so close to heaven that angels often came to talk with them. (See Lesson 2.) They were religious people, carefully obeying all the laws that God had given through Moses. It was in obedience to that law that they went to the temple in Jerusalem to dedicate the Baby Jesus. They attended the local church regularly and also went to the yearly feasts in Jerusalem.
Mary and Joseph followed God’s guidance no matter what He told them to do or where He directed them to go. They were the kind of people God could entrust with His Son.
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3 Put Him m :	: v
The childhood and youth of Jesus were spent in the little mountain village of Nazareth in a northern province of Palestine called Galilee.
Galilee was one of the most beautiful and fertile regions of Palestine. It was a country of bracing air and magnificent scenery. From the heights of Galilee the eye could rest on harbors filled with merchant ships and a sea dotted with white sails. Along its roads moved caravans that carried the products of its fields, orchards, and vineyards to the surrounding countries.
The Galileans were a practical, hardworking people, more interested in business than religion. They had no time for splitting hairs over fine points of philosophy as did their religious leaders in Jerusalem. They were regarded as country bumpkins by their more sophisticated brethren to the south.
But a savage patriotism made up for their lack of learning. Hot-headed and impulsive, they could be quickly moved to violence. They were in chronic rebellion against their Roman conquerors. The country was full of guerrilla bands who plundered caravans and attacked foreign troops, and then ran for safety to the caves and gorges of the mountains. Their aim was to make the life of the Romans in Palestine as unpleasant as possible. Though they often succeeded, the Romans retaliated with equal ferocity.
And each incident sowed the seeds of revenge, which grew into a harvest of more blood and brutality.
These were the currents that surged around the Boy Jesus. His own town of Nazareth was notorious for its wickedness. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" people asked. John 1:46.
Into this wickedness the Sinless One came to dwell. Into this violence came the Prince of Peace. Into this hatred came the Lover of all men. Into this darkness came the Light of the World.
Why did God choose such an environment for His Son? Wasn’t He afraid the Child would be corrupted by such evil influences? No, for God never allows temptation without providing a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:13. He made a way of escape for.
His Son. Jesus’ parents taught Him the Scriptures which He hid in His heart, that He might not sin against God. Psalm 119:11. Jesus' quiet times of prayer also made Him strong to stand for the right in the midst of evil.
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The Child of Nazareth endured more trials than any other human being has ever had to face. Satan, the prince of this world, was alarmed when the Son of God invaded his kingdom. He knew that he would lose all unless he could defeat the Child Jesus. And so he bent all his hellish cunning to that task.
Satan worked through Jesus’ neighbours, friends, and family to make life difficult for Him. Some called Him “bastard” because Joseph was not His true father. Others jeered at Him for refusing to join them in doing mischief. Some called Him unpatriotic for refusing to join the guerrillas. Many were exasperated by the purity of His life. “Why do you have to be so different from us all?” they taunted.
Jesus never responded by even an unkind word or look. In that young life was a power Satan could not overcome.
But in the bitter struggles with evil, Jesus had little human support. No one really understood Him. Through childhood, youth, and manhood Jesus walked alone. He stood like a lonely tree on the top of the mountain.
Storms raged about Him. He felt the lightning and thunder of Satan’s wrath, and shuddered under the fierce winds of opposition. Other trees snapped and fell under much less pressure. But He stood firm. There was no rot of sin to weaken the timber of His character. Under the constant lashing His tender branches only grew stronger.
“Test Him to the utmost,” was God’s challenge to Satan. But “He will not fail. ” Isaiah 42:4. He could not fail. His strength was in God.
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Jesus was not educated in the schools of His day. We know this because of the remark the Jews made: “How is it that this Man knows His letters when He has never studied?” John 7:15. They were amazed at the depth of His knowledge when He had never been to school.
In those days school was held in church (called the synagogue) and taught by teachers called rabbis. But the pure teachings of the Word of God had been corrupted by the teachings of men. The gems of truth lay buried in the rubble of human theories. Jesus avoided the schools and went to the Source of wisdom for instruction. He spent long hours communing with God.
His mother was His first human teacher. She taught Him to read the Hebrew Scriptures. When he was an adult, He was able to quote a Scripture for every occasion, because He had studied the Word of God in His youth.
Jesus’ favourite classroom was the great out-of-doors. To study science He went directly to nature, observing the wonders that His own hands had created thousands of years before. He watched the miracle of seeds bursting into growth, the flight of birds, the perfection of flowers. Nature spoke to Him its deep, spiritual meanings.
He watched the bread rising in His mother’s pans, or the fishermen hauling in their nets, or the farmer sowing seed, or the workman building a house, He thought of practical lessons for everyday living. When He became a teacher, He captured the attention of His audiences by using these familiar illustrations to explain profound truths.
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ADVENTIST
(Based on Luke 2: 41-52)
Jesus not only studied nature and the Scriptures, but He also learned a trade. The Jews thought it was important for every student to learn to use his hands as well as his head, tools as well as books.
Though Jesus became the greatest teacher, philosopher, and physician the world has ever known, yet He was also a skillful carpenter. From His earliest years He worked with His father Joseph in the carpenter’s shop. There He learned to do exact and careful work. By His own example He showed the dignity of labor.
Jesus was His mother’s pride and joy — her “fix-it man” who could keep a house in good repair, solve household problems, and mend not only broken furniture, but broken hearts as well. She leaned heavily on her Son after Joseph passed away.
So Jesus had a simple and practical education. When He “graduated” from His training in Nazareth, He was strong in body, mind, and character. He was ready to begin the tremendous task of saving the world.
When Jesus was twelve years old,
He was no longer considered a child.
He was now called a “son of the law,” and was old enough to attend the yearly feasts at Jerusalem.
What an exciting day it was when the family packed up their provisions on the old donkey’s back and set out on the eighty-mile trip to Jerusalem! The roads were full of happy bands of pilgrims. After several days of journeying, the travelers gave a shout of joy. There in the distance stood Jerusalem, with its marble pinnacles glistening in the sun.
Jesus was about to celebrate His first Passover feast. Passover was a special holiday to the Jews — their Independence Day. It reminded them of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage 1500 years before. The heart of every Jewish child stirred as he heard the story of that long-ago night when the angel of God came down to slay all the firstborn sons of Egypt. Only those who killed a lamb and sprinkled its blood on the doorposts could be saved from the destroying angel. When the angel saw the blood on the doorposts, he would pass over that house. That was the meaning of the name “Passover.” At midnight when the death-angel terrified the Egyptians, the children of Israel took their belongings, families, and herds and marched out of Egypt.
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Early in the morning of His first day in Jerusalem, Jesus went to the temple to watch the Passover service.
He saw the white-robed priests prepare the innocent lamb for slaughter. He watched while the bleeding victim was laid on the altar of sacrifice. Every act seemed to have a personal meaning for Him, though He could not quite grasp what is was. Silent and absorbed, He was studying out a great problem. Gradually the meaning dawned on Him. That lamb was dying to protect men from the angel of death. The sinner deserved to die, but the lamb was dying in his place. In another flash of insight, Jesus remembered Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah: “He is led as a lamb to the slaughter. ” “He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities. ” Isaiah 53:7, 5, R.S.V. and K.J.V.
Suddenly the truth bust upon Him with overpowering clarity. “I am the Messiah,” He realized, “and My mission is to be led to the slaughter like that lamb. I am the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world. I must die in the place of sinners.”
Jesus went aside to a quiet place where He could meditate. More truth flooded His soul. In that moment He remembered His identity: He was God, He had been with the Father from all eternity, He had created the world. He remembered His sorrow when man sinned, and His covenant with the Father to come down to earth to be born, to live, to suffer, and to die for lost humanity.
This knowledge was a heavy burden for the twelve-year-old Youth to bear. He kept it in His own heart and was not able to share it with anyone. Not even His mother could understand.
Page 9
When the feast was over, Joseph and Mary packed their belongings on the old donkey’s back and set out for Nazareth. Surrounded by friends and relatives, they paid no attention to Jesus. They assumed that He was somewhere in the crowd.
But Jesus was still absorbed in the mystery of His life. He had no desire to be with the noisy crowd. While the others started on their journey, He went into the temple school where the priests were teaching their younger scholars. Jesus saw that the priests did not understand the meaning of the ceremonies they had just performed. They had no concept of the true mission of the Messiah. The expected a conqueror who would drive the Romans from their land and establish Israel as an independent nation. They resisted Jesus’ suggestion of a Messiah who would die for the sins of men.
Meanwhile evening had come, and Joseph and Mary — now far from Jerusalem — looked for a place to rest. It was only then that they missed the helping hand of their Son. Anxiously they went from family to family inquiring if any had seen Jesus; but He was nowhere to be found. They bitterly reproached themselves for neglecting Him.
W
Page 10
Early the next morning they set out for Jerusalem again, arriving there at night. It was not until the following day that they found Jesus in the temple, still talking with the priests. Happy as they were to see Him, they could not forget all the anxiety they had suffered. As soon as they were alone, Mary said reprovingly: “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously." Luke 2:48.
“How is it that you sought Me?” Jesus answered. “Didyou not know that / must be in my Father’s house?” Verse 49. When they did not understand, He pointed upward. His face glowed with a heavenly light. For the first time Jesus showed that He understood His relationship to God.
But though He knew He was God’s Son, He went back to His earthly parent’s home in Nazareth and was obedient to them. For eighteen more years He worked in the carpenter’s shop helping to support the family.
The rough beams He handled reminded Him of the beams that He would some day be stretched upon. The nails He pounded reminded Him of the nails that would some day pierce His own hands and feet. But without flinching He looked bravely toward the horizon where there loomed up before Him a cross.
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"I am the light of the world” — Jesus Christ
Lesson 4
Summary Sheet
Registration No.
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	What attitude did the boy Jesus have toward people?
A He never looked down on any human being.
B He felt that to be holy He must withdraw from people.
C	He saw in all men candidates for the kingdom of heaven.
D	He was especially kind to the people whom others despised.
(Section 1)
2.	What trials did Jesus endure as a child?
A Some called Him “bastard” because of His birth.
B Friends jeered at Him for refusing to do mischief.
C	Many were exasperated by the purity of His life.
D	No one but His parents understood Him.	(Section 4)
3.	What kind of education did Jesus have?
A He never learned to read and write.
B His mother was His first teacher.
C	He memorized many Scriptures.
D He studied the works of nature.	(Section 5)
4.	What did Jesus learn when He first watched the slaying of the Passover lamb?
A The slain lamb represented Himself.
B He was the Messiah who had come to save His people.
C He must liberate His people from Roman domination.
D. He must die for the sins of men.	(Section 6)
5.	After Jesus knew He was God’s son, He
A asserted His authority in the family.
B	obeyed His father and mother.
C worked in the carpenter’s shop.
D thought about the cross on which He would die.
(Section 6)
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Name .....
Full Address
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
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LIGHT OF THE WORLD-5
PRESENTING: THE MESSIAH
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"
From the desert of Judea the cry rang out, shaking the Jewish nation to its foundations.
Multitudes flocked to the wilderness to hear the strange new preacher. They saw a long-haired man dressed in rough camel’s hair, rugged as the hills he stood on. He looked like a prophet out of the distant past — like Elijah himself come to life again.
This man had no amphitheater to accomodate the vast crowds who came to listen to him. His amphitheater was the broad hills of the desert by the Jordan River. He had no expensive advertising to attract attention to himself. His advertising was the excited testimony of all who heard him. Thousands went out from Jerusalem, Judea, and even from Galilee in the north, to hear the powerful preacher.
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1 The Announcement of the Messiah
(Based on Matthew 3: 1-10)
In awe the people listened to the strange prophet with the startling message: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand!” What could that mean?
Could it be that the Messiah, the Christ*, was coming at last to set up His kingdom, to sit on David's throne, and restore the glory to Israel?
For hundreds of years the people of Israel had cherished that hope — but hope had changed to despair as the hand of the oppressor grew ever heavier on their backs. The Jews had suffered cruelly under their former ruler, Archelaus, son of Herod the Great.
The emperor of Rome finally banished him to Gaul (France) and appointed a Roman governor, to take his place. The current governor, Pontius Pilate, had no understanding ofthe Jews or their religion. He was constantly provoking them to resistance. Once he caused a revolt by using the sacred funds of the temple to build a water system into Jerusalem. The angry Jews staged a demonstration: yelling mobs surrounded the governor’s palace.
Pilate had no mercy. “Disperse them — with force!” he ordered his soldiers. A bloody massacre followed.
Trouble, trouble — why was there nothing but trouble?
Deep in their hearts the Jews knew why. Had not Moses, the Jewish Father of Independence, warned them a thousand years before: “If you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God ... you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you... and He will put a yoke of iron upon your neck, until He has destroyed you ? ” Deuteronomy 28:15,48. Now they were under the iron yoke of Rome.
Was it not because they had forsaken their God?
But now the cry went out, “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” A stern message! A startling message! But it was full of hope!
“Who is this prophet?” many wanted to know.
The older people remembered.
*Chrlst and Messiah both mean “Anointed One/’ the Jews’ name for their Deliverer. Christ is a Greek word, and Messiah is a Hebrew word.
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“He was a miracle child," said one. “His parents were almost as old as Abraham and Sarah* when he was born."
“It must have been thirty years ago that I saw his father, Zacharias the priest, coming out of the temple as pale as a ghost,” said another. “He was so shaken that he couldn’t say a word. Later we found out that he had seen an angel in the temple. The angel told him that he and his wife would have a son in their old age whom they were to call John. This son would prepare the way for the Messiah.” (See Luke 1:5-25, and 57-80)
“If he was a miracle child, he must be a true prophet!” added a third. “We must be careful lest we follow the sins cf our fathers by rejecting another of God’s prophets.”
Many shared this view. They dared not oppose the prophet John for fear that God would punish the nation with further calamities. And of course they wanted to be ready to share the glory of Messiah’s kingdom. They listened seriously to John’s message.
But the religious leaders of the nation had grave doubts about the new prophet. He had not come to them for permission to preach. He had no credentials from them. His preaching was highly irregular. To make matters worse, he was drawing people by the thousands, while attendance at their own services was falling off.
They determined to send out a delegation to challenge John about his authority to preach.
A great crowd was listening to John when the delegation arrived. With a movement of respect, almost of fear, the crowd opened to let them pass. The great men in their rich robes stood before the prophet of the wilderness.
“Who are you?” they demanded.
John knew what they were thinking. 7 am not the Christ, "he said frankly.
“What then? Are you Elijah?”
“I am not."
*The father and mother of the Jewish nation.
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The delegates were getting impatient.
“Who are you?" they asked. "Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
“/ am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’ as the prophet Isaiah said, ” John answered. John 1:19-23.
The men were familiar with Isaiah’s prophecy about the messenger who was to announce Messiah’s coming:
“A voice cries:
‘in the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord',
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hiil be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain. * ” Isaiah 40:3,4.
John compared himself to a man sent to smooth out the road for the king to travel on. He had to straighten the crookedness of men’s hearts and level their pride so that they would be prepared to receive their King.
John’s work of preparing the way for Messiah was not easy. He had to denounce sin. He spared none who came to hear him, Looking at the Pharisees, the “separated ones” who thought they were holier than everybody else, he said, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruit that befits repentance!”
“How dare you talk like that to us?” they retaliated. “We are God’s own special people! We are the children of Abraham!”
“That means nothing!” replied John. “If God wanted to, He could raise up children to Abraham from these stones! God is not concerned with your ancestry, but with your character. What kind of fruit do you bear?” Then he added the ominous words, "Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ” See Matthew 3:7-10.
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Suddenly, their robe of holiness torn from them, the chagrined leaders slunk away.
The sinners in Israel trembled under John’s preaching. “What shall we do?” they cried.
“He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise, ” the prophet advised.
Tax-collectors — the untouchables of Jewish society, the traitors who squeezed money out of their own people to fill the Roman coffers and their own pockets — they also felt a deep need. “Teacher, what shall we do?” they asked.
“Collect no more than is appointed you, ” he said.
Even the hated Roman soldiers felt the need of help. “And we, what shall we do?” they begged to know.
“Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages,” John said. Luke 3:10-14.
“Repent!” was John’s message. It was time for the nation to forsake its sins and be clean, for the coming of Messiah was near.
To show the people how necessary it was to be clean, to wash away all their sins, John instituted the rite of baptism. He led those who had repented of their sins into the river Jordan and plunged them into the water. The baptism of J ohn meant a complete washing from sin — washing of the body, mind, and soul. Because he baptized, he was called “John the Baptist.”
“You must be clean before you can meet Messiah!” was the message this vivid rite portrayed. Thousands received baptism from John — not only common sinners like tax-collectors and soldiers, but even the proud Pharisees as well. They wanted to be ready to share the glories of Messiah’s kingdom.
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ADVENTIST
2 The Inauguration of the Messiah
(Based on Matthew 3: 13-17)
Far away in the carpenter’s shop of Nazareth, Jesus heard the call of John the Baptist. The clock had struck the hour: it was time for Him to begin His ministry. He laid aside His tools, bade farewell to his mother and brothers, and set out for the wilderness of Judea.
It was time for the inauguration of the Messiah as the Savior of the world. For this impressive ceremony a vast throng was present. It was a simple service, conducted in the simple surroundings of nature, with the participants in simple dress. But no earthly president has been more highly honored on his inauguration day than the humble Carpenter of Nazareth.
For the inauguration ceremony,
Jesus requested baptism at the hands of John. John was overwhelmed at the request. He had met many souls bowed down with the shame of myriad sins, but he had never seen anyone so pure, so holy, as Jesus. He recognized that this was the Holy One, the Messiah, standing before him. How could he, a sinner, baptize the Sinless One?
Overcome with emotion, he asked,
'7 need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
Jesus answered quietly, “Let it be so this time; for it is right for us to do everything that God requires. ” Verses 14 and 15, Gds.
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John consented and led the Savior of the world into the waters of the Jordan River. Taking Him in his arms, he baptized the Son of God.
When Jesus came up out of the water, He went to the riverbank and knelt down to pray. A heavy burden weighed Him down. With His own arm He must provide salvation for the whole world — a world too stupefied by sin to desire the priceless gift. By faith He raised that arm to heaven to grasp the hand of God. He lifted His eyes to the Father, and with many tears pleaded for power to break the bonds that held men captive to Satan.
The careless crowd was touched by that prayer. John the Baptist was deeply moved as he saw the Savior bowed as a suppliant, pleading with tears for the approval of His Father. The angels of heaven were stirred with the desire to go to the help of the beloved Commander. But no, the Father Himself would come to the aid of His Son.
Suddenly the heavens opened and a bright light illuminated the upturned face of Jesus. The Spirit of God descended upon Him in the form of a dove. From the opened heavens the voice of God was heard saying: "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. ” Verse 17.
What an inauguration service it was!-Heaven came down to earth. The power of God rested on Jesus. The approval of His Father warmed His heart. He was ready to go forth on His mission — ready to tread the long, hard road that would lead at last to a lonely hill and a cross.
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3 What This Means For Us
Every part of that inauguration service is rich with meaning, not only for Jesus, but for us.
Jesus was baptized not to wash away His own sins, for He had none.
He came to the waters of baptism not as a sinner, but as the Sin-bearer.
Though He Himself was sinless, He bore on His shoulders the weight of the sins of the whole world. It was His mission to suffer the penalty for those sins so that men could be pardoned. It was as our Sin-bearer that Jesus was baptized. It was not His sins that were washed away in the Jordan, but ours.
Jesus’ baptism had even deeper meaning. It was a symbol of the method He would use to take away the sins of the world. There were two parts to the service of baptism — first, being laid under the water; second, being raised up out of the water. The first part symbolized death and burial; the second part, resurrection. As Jesus was lowered into the water, so He would be lowered into the grave, a Savior who had died for the sins of the world. As He was raised from the water, so He would rise from the dead, a living Savior able to help all who call upon Him.
Thus at the beginning of His ministry Jesus acted out through the symbol of baptism His mission to die and rise again for the salvation of the world.
Jesus invites us to share in every experience of His baptism. “Do you
not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” the Apostle Paul writes. “We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father; we too might walk in newness of life. ” Romans 6: 3,4.
We too need to follow the Savior into the waters of baptism, and even further, into the tomb. There we die to sin and bury the sinful nature that has enslaved us. Then the Savior lifts up a resurrected person with a new heart and life.
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But this is not all. The Savior longs for us to receive not only the miracle of water baptism, with all that it represents, but the glories of the baptism of the Spirit as well. ''Truly, truly, / say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God, ” jesus said.
John 3:5. Baptism by water and the Spirit is the entrance requirement for the kingdom of heaven!
To all who will kneel as Jesus did and plead for the blessing of God, the heavens will be opened. The Spirit of God will descend upon the humble suppliant and fill him with power from on high. “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses... to the end of the earth," Jesus has promised. Acts 1:8.
But there is still more to come. Everyone who receives the baptism of water and the Spirit will hear in his heart the endearing words of the Father: “This is My beloved Son, with whom / am well pleased. ” The angels will tell him, as they did the prophet Daniel, “You are greatly beloved." Daniel 9:23. The Holy Spirit will bear witness with his spirit that he is a son of God. Romans 8:16. His heart will be warmed as the love of all heaven surrounds him. Like Jesus, he will radiate that love to all around him.
And Jesus will take him by the hand and lead him down the long, hard road of service and sacrifice, until he secs at the end of the road not a cross, but a crown. Revelation 2:10.
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'7 am the light of the world" — Jesus Christ
Lesson 5
Summary Sheet
Registration No.
Directions:	In the following questions, three of the four responses
are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	Who was John the Baptist?
A A miracle child, born to aged parents.
B A prophet sent to reform the nation.
C Elijah the prophet come back to life.
D The herald of the Messiah.	(Introduction,
Section 1)
2.	What was the message of John the Baptist?
A Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!
B Israel will again be a great nation!
C Prepare the way of the Lord!
D Every tree that does not bear good fruit is hewn down!
(Section 1)
3.	What is the meaning of baptism?
A The literal cleansing of the body.
B The symbolic washing away of sin.
C Dying to sin and rising to a new life.
D A preparation for Messiah’s coming.	(Sections 1 and
2)
4.	Why was Jesus baptized by John?
A Asa sinner, He needed to have His sins washed away.
B As the Sin-Bearer, He brought our sins to be washed away.
C	As our example He did everything that God requires.
D	As the Savior, He acted out His mission to die and rise	for
the salvation of the world.	(Sections	2	and 3)
5.	What happened at Jesus’ inauguration?
A He received.the ordinance of baptism.
B	He received the shouts and acclamations of the crowd.
C	The Father presented Him as God’s beloved Son.
D The Holy Spirit descended upon Him in power.
(Section 2)
6.	How may we share the blessings of Jesus’ baptism?
A We may be baptized by the Holy Spirit.
B We may rise to a new life.
C We may be set free from temptation to sin.
D We may be accepted as God’s beloved sons and daughters.
(Section 3)
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LIGHT OF THE WORLD-6
CONFRONTATION
By early afternoon on the day of Jesus’ baptism, the crowds about the Jordan had already begun to disperse.
The roads were not safe to travel alone, especially at night: thieves lurked behind the rocks. So, while the sun was still high, the people by companies made their way back to the cities and towns from which they had come.
But there was One who did not join them on the main highways of travel. The Savior of the world set off alone for the wilderness, to one of the rugged mountains that overlooks the Jordan Valley. The sun beat down mercilessly upon Him, while heat waves shimmered up from the dusty earth. A lizard darted off a rock as He climbed; a snake slithered through the scrubby desert plants. In all this desolate waste there was nothing to support human life. A goatskin of water was all Jesus carried with Him.
The desert was unbearable until the sun lost its strength. Then its dying rays transformed the barren hills unto stately summits of purple. The air became refreshingly cool, and the stars came out and shone in dazzling brilliance through the clear desert air. Jesus looked away from the drab, dusty earth to the glorious heavens above. This was the time He lived for — His hours shut in alone with God.
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1 The Temptation to Distrust God
(Based on Matthew 4: 1-4)
Jesus had come out to the desert on urgent business. The Spirit of God had driven Him to the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Mark 1:12; Matthew 4:1. He had just met with God; now He must meet His enemy, “that old serpent, the devil and Satan. ”
Jesus had made this appointment with Satan four thousand years before in the Garden of Eden. There the wily foe had defrauded a man named Adam of his inheritance, and usurped his dominion. As head of the race, Adam had involved all humanity in his loss. He had lost a major battle, but fortunately not the war. For on that dark day the Son of God had promised to continue the war, to invade earth as the Offspring of the woman, and finally to crush the serpent’s head. Genesis 3:15. Now He had come to meet the foe and to gain the victory in every point where Adam had failed. And as Adam had dragged the world down through his defeat, so Christ would lift it up through His victory.
Satan dreaded this encounter with Christ. He had already suffered a series of defeats, even from Jesus the Boy. If he could not overcome the Boy, how could he defeat the Man, now newly-anointed with power from the Holy Spirit? Yet stronger than his fear was his hatred agains Christ. Satan considered himself “the prince of this world. "Jesus was a rival Prince, coming to wrest his dominion from him. His only hope was to defeat Christ. With all his hellish cunning, he planned new strategies for the conflict.
Satan observed Jesus for a long time before daring to approach Him openly.
As he watched day by day, he noticed that the Savior was not only praying, but fasting. Weeks went by: Jesus became more and more haggard and emaciated. Satan waited for forty long days: then when Jesus was weak from starvation, he dared to appear before Him.
Now at last, Satan felt secure, even superior to his rival. He remembered his own humiliation and rage ages before, when Jesus had ordered him out of heaven. Now their condition seemed to be reversed. Jesus appeared to be the one expelled from heaven — forsaken by God and deserted by man. Satan gloated over his advantage. In dazzling splendor, as an angel of light, he appeared before the gpunt and haggard Savior.
Professing deep sympathy, he advised, “If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." Matthew 4:3. But in the voice of the angel was the sneer of the serpent." II You are the Son of God,” he said, suggesting the thought, “How could anyone in Your sorry state be the Son of God?” Satan hoped that Jesus, in His weakened condition, might be led to doubt His own identity.
The rest of the temptation was equally malicious: “Command these stones to become loaves of bread. ” “Look,” he insinuated, “God led You out into the wilderness, and He hasn’t even taken care of Your needs. He has let You starve.”
Then Satan offered his own clever solution to the problem. “Don’t wait for God to help You. He obviously has forsaken You. Command that these stones be made bread. Then You can save Your own life. Furthermore, by working this miracle, You can prove to me that You really are the Son of God.”
Who, in Jesus’ place, would not have yielded to the overpowering temptation?
All the while He was hungry, He had power to create a feast for Himself. It was as if He was starving within sight and smell and reach of a banquet.
But Je$us had limited Himself to live as a man. He must not use supernatural power to get Himself out of difficulty, or He could never be an example for men, who do not have such powers. As a man He must suffer. As a man He must trust in God. He was willing to die of starvation, if that was God’s will for him, rather than to disobey God. He was willing to wait for God’s own good time to help Him, even though the time had dragged on to forty days.
For Jesus' counter-attack, He laid hold of the mightiest of all weapons, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ” Ephesians 6:17. “It is written, ”
He said in a voice of authority, “ 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' " Matthew 4:4. The whole of man's life cannot be satisfied by bread that perishes. Man needs to feed the spiritual nature in order to have the abundant life here and eternal life hereafter.
Jesus lived by the Word of God, and God had said, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." He had no doubts that He was God’s Son. He did not need to perform a miracle to prove His divinity to Himself or to Satan.
In living by the Word of God, Jesus was dwelling in the circle of God's will.
In that circle there are no accidents, no emergencies, no unforeseen events. Everything that happens is according to God's plan. Jesus would not consent to change the least detail. What God permitted, Jesus was willing to accept. What God did not provide, He was willing to do without. He completely trusted His Father, though obedience had led Him to starvation. He refused to entertain a thought of doubt or distrust. “He knew that He was safer, hungry, in the will of God, than He could have been, satisfied, outside that will.” G. Campbell Morgan, The Crises of the Christ, page 175.
Satan was amazed and chagrined. Adam, in all the vigor of newly-created manhood, had been easy to overcome. With a full stomach, in the shade of the world’s most delicious fruit trees, he had lifted his hand to eat of the one forbidden tree. But Jesus, in the hot, dry desert, weak and emaciated from starvation, would not lift His hand to turn a stone to bread.
Satan, in all of his power and might, could not defeat this weakest of men, because He was living by the Word of God.
* * *
You who feel the call of the flesh — you who are struggling with appetites and lusts — you who are addicted to habits from which you have tried in vain to wrench yourself free — look at your Savior in the wilderness. For you He refused to use His divine power to help Himself, so that as a man He could be your example. For you He exercised a self-control stronger than death. For you He was willing to die rather than deviate from His Father’s will. For you He demonstrated that the weakest man, united to God’s might, is stronger than all the hosts of hell. For you He won the victory which you can win, if you hold His hand.
2 The IcmpLifioii to Accept .1 D-rc
(Based on iVlaUhevv 4: 5-7)
Satan was not ready to give up. He bent his powerful mind to devise a more cunning approach. And he found it:
“Then the devil took Him to the holy city, and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will give His angels charge of you, ’ and
‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. ’ ” Verses 5 and 6.
The devil saw that Jesus’ strength was His trust in God. So now Satan asked Him to demonstrate that trust. He observed that Jesus was willing to risk His life — to starve to death — if God willed. Now Satan asked Him to risk His life again by jumping off the temple. He saw that Jesus flashed out the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, for each attack. Now Satan picked up the sword and quoted Scripture in return.
On this occasion Satan took Jesus away from the barren wilderness to the place that most thrilled the heart of every Jew, the temple in Jerusalem. On that sacred spot Abraham had offered Isaac, God’s glory had appeared to Solomon, Israel’s greatest kings had met with God. The beauty of the temple, combined with all the hallowed memories of Jewish history, stirred even the heart of Jesus with deepest emotion. He loved the temple. He called it “My house. ”
Perhaps Satan set Him on Herod’s portico, from which there was a sheer drop of 450 feet to the Kedron Valley below. On that magnificient spot, with its breathtaking view, surrounded by all the sacred memories of the past, Satan tried to cast a spell over Jesus. “I commend You for Your perfect confidence in God,” he seemed to say. “As I have tested You, I have marveled at Your absolute faith in Your heavenly Father.
You are willing to trust Him even to the death. Now I ask You to give a greater demonstration of Your trust in God. Once again trust Him to the death — cast Yourself down — for He has promised to give His angels charge over You. God’s promises are true! Angels will bear you up! And then I will believe that You are the Son of God.”
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ADVENTIST
Right away Jesus saw the fallacy in Satan’s reasoning. Though jumping off the temple was a small matter for One who had descended to earth and would soon ascend back to heaven, yet J esus would not move from His position inside the circle of God’s will. God had not commanded Him to jump off the temple. Such an act would benefit no one. Jesus worked miracles to help others, never to satisfy idle curiosity. Time after time the Jews would repeat Satan’s challenge: “Show us a sign and we will believe You.” But Jesus refused to gratify the desire for sensations. Those who would not be persuaded by the beauty of His character would not be convinced by acrobatic stunts.
Jesus snatched the sword away from Satan. “Again it is written, ” He said,
“ ‘ You shall not tempt the Lord your God. ’ ” Verse 7.
“Again it is written." By this Jesus meant that every text must be understood in harmony with the rest of the Scriptures. No text should be lifted from its setting and misapplied. A careful study of the chapter from which Satan quoted shows that one must “abide in the shadow of the Almighty” — in the circle of God’s will — in order to enjoy His protection. Psalm 91.
To place one’s life in needless danger is to put God in a difficult position.
Should He save one’s life, and thus encourage him to take further risks? Or should He let him die, though his time has not yet come? “Do not tempt God,” Jesus said. “Stay within the circle of His will, and there you can trust Him.”
* * *
You who are tempted to presume upon the goodness of God, you who go outside the will of God and hope for His protection, you who place yourself in the way of temptation and dare to hope that God will deliver you — look at Jesus, your example. For your sake He refused to listen to the smallest suggestion of the evil one, to accept the easiest challenge, to place Himself in the slightest danger that God had not willed. He calls you to come within the circle of God’s will.
There and there only, angels will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
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3 The Temptation to Gain the World
(Based on Matthew 4: 8-11)
Satan’s frustration was increasing. He had attacked Jesus’ physical weakness and found it stronger than all the hosts of hell, because it laid hold upon the Almighty. He had attacked Jesus’ spiritual strength, and found that it could not be undermined. But he was not yet ready to concede defeat. Again his hatred seethed against the One who was wrenching the world loose from his grasp. Then a sardonic smile lit his face. He had thought of his third strategy.
Once more the devil carried Jesus away, this time to a high mountain. Perhaps the temple of Jerusalem had not impressed Jesus sufficiently. Now the devil would overwhelm Him with the majesty of this world and its kingdoms.
By some supernatural or electronic device, he made all the kingdoms of earth pass before Christ in a moment of time. The splendid cities of the Roman Empire, with their white marble palaces, columned capitols, temples adorned with the world’s greatest art, theaters, stadiums — he displayed them all. Perhaps he even gave a preview of the marvels of civilizations yet to come. And then he made his boldest, most brazen attack upon Christ.
“AH these / will give You,n he said,
“if You will fall down and worship me. ” Verse 9.
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Satan’s proposition was t! “You have come down to earth in poverty, humility, and weakness, to win back the world You lost. The way ahead is going to lead You to rejection, mockery, torture, and the cross. I know, because this is what I am planning for You. But consider — this is not necessary. You and I do not need to continue the warfare. We can sit down at the conference table and work out a peace treaty. I am willing to make some huge concessions. Though the whole world is mine (I won it, I inspired the great civilizations you see), yet I am willing to give it all to You. You do not need to struggle for it: I lay it all down at Your feet.
“I ask only one small concession from You. That is, that You recognize me as the legitimate ruler of this world. All You need to do is to bow down to me — recognize my authority — and I will give You everything. Compromise: I give up a lot; You give up a little. That is all I ask.”
Much more was involved than Satan made to appear. Satan knew that he would not lose an inch of ground if Christ accepted his proposal. If Christ bowed down to Satan, then Satan would be supreme ruler over Christ and all that belonged to Christ. He would not only keep the world, but might even gain the universe!
Furthermore, the gift that Satan offered Christ was defective. He showed it to Christ very quickly, “in a moment of time,” lest Christ should notice the rottenness that lay below the surface.
But Jesus knew. This was not the world He was struggling for. He dreamed of a new world of righteousness, and a new race of men transformed by His grace.
Satan offered Christ a defective gift at an exorbitant price: he wanted to be worshiped as God.
Jesus was amazed at his audacity. Mustering the last of His strength, He cried out vehemently, "Begone, Satan! for it is written, ‘ You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.' ” Verse 10.
At the third stroke of the sword, Satan fell vanquished. Stung with shame, burning with rage at this fresh defeat, he slunk away from the scene of the conflict. Though he despised Christ in His weakness and humility, he had to acknowledge Him as Master. He knew that the kingdom of this world would surely become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. Revelation 11:15.
For Jesus the conflict had been terrible, the ordeal greater than any man had ever endured. If He had yielded to one demand of Satan, the world would have been lost and the universe itself imperiled. Exhausted, Jesus fell dying to the ground.
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But now God’s time had come to help His Son. “Angels came and ministered to Him. ” Matthew 4:11. With bread from heaven, and leaves and fruit from the tree of life, they revived Him. And with full hearts they thanked Him for the victory that made heaven, as well as earth, more secure.
* * * *
Jesus answered temptation with a firm “No!” His response to it was instantaneous and decisive. He did not linger with it, or plead for time to consider it, or discuss with the tempter the implications of it.
He was wiser than His earthly brothers who leave open the gates of the mind so that evil thoughts sneak in, settle down, and then refuse to be evicted. Jesus closed the gates to evil.
You who stand bewitched by what the world has to offer; you who hear Satan’s call: “Bow down to me and I will give you the whole world”; you who sell your souls for a lot less than the world: a night of pleasure, a dishonest profit, stolen points on a test — look at your Savior in the wilderness. For you He refused the whole world, for you He turned His back on the easy way of compromise with dishonor, and traveled instead the long, hard road to the cross. To you He says, “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.... For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?n Mark 8: 34, 36, R.S.V. and K.J.V.
You who daily encounter the tempter of your soul, look at Jesus and learn how to overcome temptation.
He used the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, as His weapon. “I have laid up Thy word in My heart, that / might not sin against Thee, ” was His testimony.
Psalms 119:11. The Word of God still has the same power to protect you.
Jesus communed with His Father through fasting, prayer, and study of the Word. He united His human weak-ness to divine strength. He had a faith and trust in God that nothing could shake. This is how He overcame temptation. This is how we too may overcome.
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'7 am the light of the world" — Jesus Christ
Summary Sheet
Lesson 6	Registration No.
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	Jesus went out to the desert because
A He was hiding from His enemies.
B The Spirit of God drove Him there.
C He wanted to pray to God.
D He had an appointment to meet His foe. (Introduction and
Section 1)
2.	Jesus did not work a miracle to save Himself because
A He did not have the power to turn stones into bread.
B	He had limited Himself to live as a man.
C	He wanted to give an example of perfect trust in God.
D He was willing to wait for God’s own good time to help Him.	(Section 1)
3.	In responding to Satan’s attacks Jesus
A used the Word of God as His weapon.
B united His human weakness to divine strength.
C	refused to compromise.
D pleaded for time to consider Satan’s propositions.
(Section 3)
4.	What was at stake in the conflict between Christ and Satan?
A Satan’s position as “prince of this world.”
B The destiny of the Jewish nation.
C	The destiny of the world.
D The destiny of the universe. (Sections 1 and 3)
5.	If we want to overcome Satan’s temptations, we must
A stay in the circle of God’s will.
B refuse the easy way of compromise with dishonor.
C keep the gates of the mind open to all suggestions.
D lay up the Word in our hearts, so we will not sin against God.
Your response (not graded):
1.	Do you have some weakness that you find almost impossible to overcome?
______ yes
______no
2.	Would you like tö get the victory over it?
______ yes
______no
God “is able to keep you from falling and to present you without blemish before the presence of His glory.” Jude 24.
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
Name......................................................................
Full Address..............................................................
City..........................Postal Zone............State................
ANSWER THE ABOVE OUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
(Do not return your lesson sheets; they are yours to keep. Send only the Question Sheets. They will be checked and promptly returned to you with your next lessons.)
Pamphlets
LIGHT OF THE WORLD-7
UNi;Oi	Ol/\,VtOND^
From His retreat high in the mountains, Jesus could see crowds of people, tiny as ants, swarming on Jordan’s banks where John the Baptist was preaching. Leaving behind the scenes of His agony, He trudged down the mountainside toward the Jordan. The time had come for Him to begin His life-work — the building of God’s kingdom on earth.
Jesus thought of His kingdom as a temple He must build, not a temple of cold, hard marble, but of “living stones.” “For My raw materials I will take fallen human beings — rough, jagged, contrary to each other,” He thought. “And I will chisel them and shape them and polish them until they fit together into a perfect whole.
I Myself will be the chief corner-stone. I will unite them to Myself in one magnificent structure to become the dwelling place of God on earth.”*
Every human being who united himself to Christ would become a stone in that temple. But before He could build up the walls, Jesus must first find twelve foundation stones for His temple — twelve men to be the founders of His kingdom.
Already John the Baptist had been preparing such men. Among the crowds who flocked to the Jordan were men from Galilee, Jesus’ own country. Some of thesf were suitable material for His temple, quarried from the same rugged hills of Galilee out of which He too was hewn. Jesus knew the stuff that Galileans were made of — the bold patriotism, the ardent zeal, the impulsiveness, the warmheartedness, the love. These were qualities He could refine and polish for His temple.
As He reached the fringes of the crowd around the Baptist, snatches of John’s sermon were borne to Him on the wind. Suddenly the preaching stopped. Jesus saw John’s eyes light up as he recognized Him. This was the first time John had seen Him since that memorable day when the heavens had opened and the Spirit of God had descended upon Him. Ecstatically John threw out his arms toward the Savior and exclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1: 29.
♦For the figure of stones in a temple, see I Peter 2: 4*8 and Ephesians 2: 19-22.
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1 Five Men Find the Messiah (Based on John 1: 35-51)
Jesus watched as all eyes turned in His direction. Some could not distinguish Him from the rest of the crowd. Others appeared astonished as His humble appearance — the poor clothing, the thin form, the marks of suffering on His face. But some seemed to discern the hidden beauty under the humble exterior.
The next day Jesus came back to the Jordan and saw John standing with two disciples. Once again John exclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God!" The two men had accepted John’s teaching, and now they opened their hearts wide to the Savior. They felt so drawn to Him that they left John and began to follow Jesus.
Jesus knew they were following Him. Turning around, He asked simply, "What do you seek?"
The two young men, Andrew and John by name, were too awe-stricken to introduce themselves properly. “Rabbi," they blurted out, “where are You staying?"
“Come and see," Jesus answered. Since it was late in the afternoon, He invited them to spend the night with Him.
The men felt their blood tingle with excitement. To spend a whole night alone with the Messiah — to walk by His side, to eat supper with Him, to talk with Him into the small hours of the night, to listen to Him pray, to lie down by His side too stirred to sleep — this was an experience too good to keep to oneself.
As soon as the next morning came, Andrew rushed out to find his brother Simon. “We have found the Messiah!" he exclaimed. “You must come and meet Him.” And Andrew brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked right into the heart of this man and loved him. “So you are Simon, the son of John?" He asked. “You shall be called. .. Peter." Verse 42.
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The name Peter means stone, a foundation stone for Jesus’ temple. Peter was a diamond in the rough — friendly, boastful, talkative, ardent, loving. Jesus knew that after Peter was smoothed and polished, he would be a beautiful stone for His temple.
Peter was so happy to meet Jesus that he immediately invited Him to his home in Bethsaida. Jesus gladly accepted the invitation: the next day the little band of men beg^n the long trip back to Galilee on foot. Somewhere they met Philip, also from the same town, and Jesus gave him the invitation, “Follow Me. ”
Jesus enjoyed warm fellowship with the families in Bethsaida. The hearts of His new disciples became more and more bound up with His. Philip felt the same urge that Andrew had felt — to share his discovery with someone else.
Hurrying away, he found his best friend Nathanael in their secret meeting-place under a wide-spreading fig tree. The two friends loved to talk and pray there together. Nathanael had been there alone, wrestling with a deep problem. Though he had heard John the Baptist’s announcement of the Lamb of God, he could not believe that the humble Man of Nazareth was the Messiah of prophecy. In his perplexity he had sought the quiet seclusion of the fig tree to pray for guidance. “Lord God of our fathers, show me clearly whether this Man is indeed Your Anointed One,’’ he pleaded.
He had not prayed long when Philip bur in upon his solitude. “We have found Him i whom Moses in the law and also the proph wrote, ” he said excitedly — but his faith wavered as he added, “Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. ” He could not bring himself to say, “Jesus Christ, the Son of God.’’
Nathanael’s doubts rose to high tide. Jesus, the carpenter’s Son, from the wicked town of Nazareth — how could He be the Messiah? “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” he questioned. Verses 45 and 46.
Philip understood his friend’s doubts: he himself had had the same misgivings.
But in his brief contact with Christ he had glimpsed some of His greatness. “Come anc see for yourself,’’ he urged. Nathanael rose and followed Philip.
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Philip did not need to introduce his friend to Jesus: Jesus did the introducing.
"Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” He declared.
Nathanael was astonished. "How do You know me?” he asked.
Jesus answered, ”Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, / saw you. ”
Nathanael thrilled at this answer to his prayer. Though beyond sight and hearing, Jesus had seen his struggles, had heard his prayer, and had read all the longings of his soul. He knew that he was standing before a divine being. “Rabbi, ” he exclaimed in awe, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
Jesus enjoyed watching Nathanael’s faith grow. He knew that it would reach far greater heights. “Because / said to you,
/ saw you under the fig tree, do you believe?’ He asked. “You shall see greater things than these. Truly, truly / say to you, you will
see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. ” Verses 50 and 51. Through eyes of faith, Nathanael would see beyond the veil that separates the visible world from the invisible. Looking through limitless space, he would see the mystic ladder connecting heaven and earth: Jesus, the God-man.
2	Fishermen Find a Greater Thrill Than Catching Fish
(Based on Luke 5: 1-11)
Jesus had thrilled His followers with the discovery of Himself — now He wanted to thrill them with a vision of their high calling. One night the four .fishermen of His group, Peter and Andrew, John and his older brother James, had been out fishing all night without success.
By morning they were tired and discouraged.
Then Jesus came to the shore and began talking to the many fishermen coming in from their night’s work. Soon their families from nearby houses gathered around to listen, while the children squeezed in close to Jesus. Finding He hardly had room to stand, Jesus climbed into Peter’s boat and shoved out a little from land. And there, sitting on the prow, rocked gently by the waves, Jesus preached to the growing crowds on shore.
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Peter watched with pride the new use Jesus had found for his boat. Maybe it had failed to bring in fish - but it certainly was bringing in crowds of people! Of course, Jesus was the big attraction. What a man He was! How the people loved Him, from old men to little children! Peter, still discouraged from his night of failure, was wishing he could be successful like that. Then Jesus called, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." Peter and Andrew jumped into their boat, while James and John followed in theirs.
As Peter pulled on the oars, the old feeling of failure came back. “Master\ we toiled all night and took nothing/” he said. “But because You say so, Lord, I will let down the nets.” As soon as the
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brothers let down their nets, they felt the tug of a whole school of struggling fish. As they tried to haul in their catch, the nets began to tear. James and John in the other boat came over to help them. Soon both boats were almost sinking under their loads.
Peter was overcome with emotion. His Master was not only Lord of mankind,
He was Lord of the sea as well — Lord of all creation! Feeling how small and unworthy he was, Peter fell down at Jesus’ knees and cried, “Depart from me, for / am a.sinful man, 0 Lord!“ Verse 8. Yet he clung to Jesus.
“Don’t be afraid,” said Jesus. “From now on you will catch men like this!”
The men struggled to bring their boats to shore. As soon as they had disposed of their fish, Jesus spoke to them again. “Follow Me, and / will make you fishers of men. ” Matthew 4: 19.
3	Matthew Finds a Higher Goal than Making Money (Based on Luke 5: 27-32)
One thing the disciples knew: where Jesus was, there was success. If they went where He told them to go, and did what He told them to do, they had great results. What was He promising them? that they would catch men by the hundreds — yes, thousands — as they had caught fish?
With a new vision in their eyes, they left everything — the boats, the nets, the fish, the sea — and followed Jesus.
Levi-Matthew was not satisfied with his life. He had money and all that it could buy. But money could not buy happiness. It brought him only misery.
He knew that it was because of his money that men hated him.
Matthew was a tax-collector, a traitor to his own people, a Jew in the employ of Rome. He not only collected taxes for Rome, but he paid himself well from the tax funds. Worse yet, he had begun to hate himself as the people hated him.
Then one day Matthew heard Jesus preach. And in his heart there welled up a desire to be a better man. He saw six radiant men pressing close about their Master, and he wished that he could be among that favored group.
Then strangely, in response to the cry of his heart, Jesus walked up to the tax booth where Matthew was sitting behind the counter, and said, “Follow Me. ” Matthew was amazed that Jesus would want a man like him. An outcast from Jewish society, he was suddenly called into the inner circle of the King of the Jews! His heart stirred with the desire to be worthy of Jesus’ love.
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ADVENTIST
Houses, lands, wealth had no more attraction for Matthew But before he left them all behind, he felt the same urge that had possessed Andrew and Philip — to bring his friends to Jesus. Preparing a great feast in his spacious home, he invited his friends the tax-collectors. He wanted them to meet the Man who loved tax-collectors. As guest of honor, he invited Jesus and the disciples.
Jesus accepted the invitation, though He knew He would be severely criticized for doing so. He recognized the dignity of all men. He saw in Matthew a precious stone to be cut out and fitted into His temple.
After the joyful feast was over, the expected criticisms came. The Pharisees had been scandalized by Jesus’ act. “Why do You eat and drink with tax-collectors and sinners?” they sniffed.
Jesus had the perfect answer: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, hut those who are sick; / have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. "Verses 31 and 32.
Matthew was glad the great Physician had healed the sickness of his soul. From that day on, he followed Jesus. He left behind the unsatisfying treasures of this world and sought the heavenly treasure.
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4 Simon Finds a Higher Cause than Patriotism 5 |udas Seeks to Fulfill His Ambitions
Simon the Cananaean belonged to a fanatical political party called the Zealots. Luke 6 : 15. As guerrillas, they were trained to sabotage, ambush, and kill.
They hated not only Romans, but especially Jews, like Matthew, who collaborated with them. As a lad, Simon had been attracted to the excitement of guerrilla life.
But after a while the excitement turned to fear. He was horrified at the sight of death, and he never knew when he might be caught and executed. He became weary of the hate propaganda, the killing, and the fear of being killed.
One day he met Jesus, the Lover of all men. He learned that the way to happiness consisted in saving life, not killing; in loving, not hating; in building the kingdom of God, not tearing down the kingdom of Rome. He gladly left behind the old life of hate and fear, and surrendered to the power of love. He even learned to love the former tax-collector, Matthew. The two men fit together perfectly in the temple Jesus was building.
As Jesus continued His preaching and traveling, He drew other men to Him: Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus; and Thaddaeus, also called Judas.
There was one who invited himself into the circle of Jesus’ disciples. “Teacher, / will follow You wherever You go,” he declared. Matthew 8: 19. This man was tremendously impressed with Jesus’ talents as a leader. He believed that Jesus was the Messiah. By connecting himself with Him, he hoped to win a high position in the kingdom. His name was Judas Iscariot.
Jesus tried to discourage Judas’ ambitions. He called men to sacrifice and poverty, not honor and ease. “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay His head, ” He sighed. Verse 20.
Judas refused to be discouraged. If Jesus would take him on as business manager, he felt, He and His disciples would soon be rich. If Jesus would follow his ideas, they would be popular with the masses.
Jesus did not refuse Judas a place among the twelve, though He knew his character. “Did / not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” He once said. John 6: 70.
This foundation stone would crumble, and another would be chosen it its place.
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6 Laying the Foundation Stones
The disciples thought that they had found Jesus. But years later He told them a secret: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you." John 15: 16. It was He who selected them to fit into His temple.
One evening Jesus led His twelve disciples out to a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee. While they slept at the foot of the hill, He climbed to the top and poured out His heart to God in prayer for them. “The Savior knew the character of the men whom He had chosen; all their weaknesses and errors were open before Him; He knew the perils through which they must pass, the responsibility that would rest upon them; and His heart yearned over these chosen ones.” White, The Desire of Ages, page 291,292.
All night He prayed, until the first fingers of dawn reached across the eastern sky. Then Jesus called the twelve to Him; and as they knelt in a circle about Him, He prayed for each one. Placing His hands on their heads, He ordained them to preach, to cast out devils, and to be His apostles, or sent ones. Mark 3: 14,15 and Luke 6: 12,13.
As Jesus viewed His little band of men, how few and frail they seemed in the midst of a vast, wicked world! But as He looked into the future, He saw His eleven disciples empowered by the Holy Spirit to conquer the world for Him. He saw thousands converted in a day under their powerful preaching. He saw a twelfth apostle rise up to take the place of J udas the traitor — a man of such zeal that, according to his enemies, he “turned the world upside down. ’’ Acts 17: 6.
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Looking still further ahead, He saw them, fearless of death, yielding their lives as martyrs for Him: James executed by Herod; Peter crucified head downward, because he felt it too great an honor to die like his Master; Paul beheaded by that monster emperor of Rome, Nero; John tortured in boiling oil and banished to the isle of Patmos; the rest meeting with violent death*; all clinging to His promise: "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." Rev. 2:10.
Finally Jesus looked down to the end of time, and saw His twelve men standing nearest His throne in the kingdom of glory, surrounded by a host of redeemed ones.
His glorious temple was complete at last. Every perfect stone was set into its walls, “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the cornerstone. ” Ephesians 2: 20.
* * *
Today there is still a place for you in God’s temple. Though you may be rough and jagged, Jesus sees in you a precious stone to be cut and polished and fitted into His temple. As surely as He transformed common men like Peter and Matthew and Simon, He can transform you. Won’t you yield your life to Him as they did?
♦Much of this information comes from tradition.
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'7 am the light of the world” — Jesus Christ
Lesson 7
Summary Sheet
Registration No. _
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	When Jesus first called His men, they were
A	refined and polished.
B	bold and patriotic.
C	warm-hearted and impulsive.
D	ardent and zealous.	(Introduction)
2.	The first followers of Jesus were so enthusiastic that
A	Andrew went and got his	brother Peter.
B	Peter called his neighbor,	Philip.
C	Philip persuaded his friend Nathanael to come to Jesus.
D	Matthew put on a feast to introduce his friend* to Jesus.
(Sections 1 and 3)
3.	What evidences did the disciples have that Jesus was the Messiah?
A The majestic, kingly appearance of Jesus.
B John the Baptist’s introduction: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” C Jesus’ knowledge of Nathanael’s inner struggles.
D The miraculous catch of fish.	(Introduction,
Sections 1 and 2)
4.	Jesus transformed His men so that
A Matthew found a higher goal than making money.
B Simon the Zealot found a higher cause than patriotism.
C	Peter found a greater thrill than catching fish.
D	Judas found a nobler ambition than pursuing worldly greatness.
5.	What was the fate of the various disciples?
A James was executed by Herod.
B Peter was crucified head downward.
C Matthew was beheaded by the emperor Nero.
D John was tortured in boiling oil.	(Section 6)
Matching: Place the number of the item in the right-hand column in the blank before the matching name in the left-hand column.
6.	What lessons do the experiences of these men teach you?
_ Peter (and the fishing trip) 1. When we find Jesus, we should
_ Nathanael
__Simon the Zealot and
Matthew the tax-collector _ Andrew and Peter
bring others to Him.
2.	In Christ, former enemies become friends.
3.	Apart from Jesus we fail; with Him we succeed.
4.	If we have doubts about Jesus, we should “come and see” Him for ourselves.
Your response (not graded):
Check the ideas that appeal to you.
„Even humble, uneducated men can move the world when they are transformed by the power of God.
„Though I am a rough, unpolished stone, Jesus cah polish me and use me in His kingdom.
Other:
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
Name......................................................................
Full Address..............................................................
City.........................Postal Zone............State.................
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
(Do not return your lesson sheets; they are yours to keep. Send only the Question Sheets. They will be checked and promptly returned to you with your next lessons.)
LIGHT OF THE WORLD-8
(Based on Matthew 5)
As the sun rose higher in the heavens, people began pouring in by the hundreds to see their Messiah. He could hold multitudes spell-bound by His teaching.
He even had power to heal disease. And such a tide of love flowed from Him that thousands were drawn to Him.
From now on, His private life was ended. He could no longer walk the streets in quiet anonymity. Now He belonged to the people. Now they would always throng His steps.
Jesus needed no vast assembly hall to accommodate the crowds that came to hear Him. His rich voice required no public-address system to be heard by thousands. He led His audience to grassy hills under the blue heavens, with a lovely view of the mountains on one side and of the sea on the other. Here, in the splendors of God’s own creation, He could teach men about the kingdom of God.
Soon the vast multitude was seated around Him, while the disciples pressed in close to His side, anxious to catch every word. A hush swept over the assembly. All expected the Messiah to announce that He was about to set up His kingdom.
The people tried to imagine what it would be like. They would walk right out of their dirt-floo/ed hovels into the tiled mansions of the imperialists. They would throw away their scratchy wool robes and don the silken gowns of their enemies.
They would abandon their diet of brown
bread and fish, and feast on wine and fatted calves. They would throw off the inferiority complex of the conquered and assume the pride of the conqueror! Israel would be the head of the nations, and Jerusalem would be the capital of the world! Best yet, the Romans would be their servants!
Jesus understood their dreams. He did not tear them down, though every one was false. Instead He introduced new dreams as higher than their’s as the sun is higher than the earth.
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Jesus began His discourse by describing the kind of people who would enter His kingdom.
“0 the happiness of the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
O the happiness of those who mourn, for they shall be comforted!
O the happiness of the meek, for they shall inherit the earth!
0 the happiness of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied!
0 the happiness of the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy!
O the happiness of the pure in heart, for they shall see God!
O the happiness of the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God!
0 the happiness of those who are persecuted for righeousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Happy are you when men insult you and mistreat you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are My followers. Rejoice and be glad, because a great reward is kept for you in heaven. ” Verses 3-12. (Adapted from several versions)
The listeners were startled. Jesus said nothing to flatter ambition and hopes of worldly greatness. He pronounced a blessing on the very people they thought were most miserable — the poor, the mourners, the hungry, the persecuted. Strange citizens of a strange kingdom of a strange Messiah! they thought.
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But the eyes of some were opened to the beauty of Jesus’ words. He was telling how ordinary people like them could be beloved of God. New longings stirred in their hearts. From that vast assembly, hundreds of silent prayers ascended to God.
“Lord God, I see little that is good in my life. I have not had time to pile up righteous deeds like the Pharisees. I have nothing with which to earn my way to heaven. Is it true that the poor in spirit
can enter the kingdom of heaven? Then I must qualify, for I am poor! I have nothing to commend myself to You except my great need. Could it be that there is more hope for me than for a Pharisee, because he feels no need? Thank God that a poor pefson like me can inherit the kingdom of heaven!”
And another: “Lord, I have felt the pangs of hunger when the harvest was blighted and the fish-nets came up empty. But now I feel a new hunger — a hunger for righteousness as I have.seen it in the face of Christ. Now my heart cries out for righteousness like His!”
“Lord, I have lost the one dearest in life to me. Can You comfort me? Yes, already the emptiness of my life is being filled by this wonderful Jesus!”
Still another: “O God, I am mourning for my sins. I thought there was no hope for me. But Jesus says that those who mourn will be comforted. If You will comfort me by forgiving my sins, how happy I will be!”
“Most holy God in heaven, I want like everything to be pure within,” was the heart-cry of another. “But I am not pure. How can I ever see God? Oh make me pure!”
As sincere hearts reached out after God, they began to feel the happiness that Jesus had promised. Dreams of earthly greatness faded as they caught a vision of spiritual greatness.
2 The Law of the Kingdom
After Jesus described the people of His kingdom, He went on to explain the law of His kingdom. The people listened intently. They had the impression that Jesus did not respect their Jewish laws and intended to abolish them. Jesus clarified His position.
“Think not that / have come to abolish the law and the prophets; / have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them. For truly, / say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. ’ Verses 17 and 18.
Jesus was the author of the Ten Commandments. It was He who came down on Mount Sinai in fire and smoke, earthquake and lightning, to proclaim in trumpet-like tones the precepts of His law, while the people groveled in terror before Him. (See Exodus 20) Now, sitting on another mountain, proclaiming the principles of His kingdom to thousands of listeners, He was not about to repudiate the law He had given 1500 years before. Once again He showed the majesty and the glory of that law.
But through the centuries black tarnish had crept over the face of the law, so that the original could hardly be seen any longer. This is what had happened: The Jewish rabbis had noticed that the law contained only general principles, which to them did not seem sufficient. They thought it their duty to interpret the law by laying down exact rules for every situation in life. For instance, God’s law says that no work must be done on the Sabbath day. But what was work? They made a long list of acts which they considered to be work, such as carrying a burden. But what was a burden? Once again they made a list: “food equal in weight to a dried fig,... milk enough for one swallow,... paper enough to write a customs house notice upon, ink enough to write two letters of the alphabet.” William Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1, page 125.
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Men called scribes devoted their lives to writing out these minute laws. Other men called Pharisees (“Separated Ones") devoted their lives to keeping these minute laws. They taught the people that true religion consisted in obeying thousands of regulations, and that observing these laws was a matter of life or death.
The ten commandments had been so buried under these thousands of petty rules that many people had forgotten them. Jesus swept away the rubbish and scraped off the tarnish that had covered the law. Then He polished each commandment until it glowed. He showed that righteousness did not consist in the observance of thousands of minute laws.
“Unless your righteousness exceeds-that of the scribes and PhariseeSy you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” He said.
Verse 20. He showed that true obedience to the law came from love in the heart.
Jesus presented the true meaning of the commandments.
“You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘ You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.' But / say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment' Verses 21 and 22.
“You have heard that it was said But / say to you ” — the people were astonished at these words! This Man boldly presented His own ideas, at times amplifying the old commandments, and at times sweeping them aside altogether.
No rabbi dared do that: every word must be supported from the ancient writings of the great teachers. No prophet ever dared to speak his own words: “Thus says the Lord!” was his authority. But this Man declared, “I say to you” He spoke as if He were greater than the rabbis, greater than the prophets, even greater than Moses. He spoke as if He were God!
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And, of course, He was God. That is why He spoke with such authority. And even though His divine glory was hidden under the guise of humanity, the people were convinced that He had every right to speak as He did. There was a power in )esus that commanded respect. “The crowds were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes." Matthew 7: 28,29.
"... But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment. ”
What was Jesus saying? Getting angry was as bad as killing? How could that be?
Yet a little reflection showed that Jesus was right. If one never got angry, he would never kill. Anger and hatred are the seeds from which murder grows. Sin does not originate the moment it is born into the light of day : first it gestates in the dark recesses of the mind. Jesus was saying that not only the act of evil is sin, but the thought of evil.
The crowd began to feel uncomfortable. Their discomfort increased as Jesus continued.
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:
27 and 28.
The Jews had always felt satisfied with their high moral standards, especially when they compared themselves with the Roman soldiers carousing late into the night with bar girls. But now Jesus was tearing off their external piety and probing deeply into their inner thoughts and motives. Before that kind of examination, no man could say that he was clean. No man could feel superior to others.
Suddenly all stood condemned before the blazing letters of the seventh commandment.
Still Jesus did not stop.
“You have heard that it was said, rAn eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'
But / say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also: and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. ” Verses 38-41.
This was too much for any Jew to accept. Was Jesus talking about those Roman soldiers stationed at Capernaum, right there in plain sight at the foot of the mountain? Did He mean that when one of them struck a Jew (as they often did), the Jew should turn the other cheek? Was He saying that if one’s enemy sued for one’s inner garment, he should give the outer wrap, which was his only covering at night, as well? Did He mean that when a Roman forced a Jew to carry his load a whole mile (as the Roman law allowed), the Jew should not only submit to the outrage, but go another mile as well? Impossible! What kind of Messiah was this? It was His duty to drive the Romans out of their country and break the intolerable yoke of bondage. But He was telling them to bear the yoke!
Some were irritated by Christ’s words. Others saw that Jesus had given them dynamic new weapons to use against their enemies. What would happen to an infuriated man if one calmly turn the other cheek to him? Might not his fury suddenly die, or even change to admiration? What would happen in a bitter lawsuit if one gave his opponent more than he demanded, even one’s only protection from the cold? Might he not be so ashamed of his demands as to withdraw them? What would happen if one said to a Roman soldier, “Let me carry your load another mile for you?’’ Would he not ask, “What kind of man are you? How can you be so kind to me when I have been so mean to you?’’ And then, as one walked the second mile, he could explain the power of God to change human hearts.
Suddenly Jesus’ listeners realized that there are two ways to destroy an enemy: kill him, or make a friend of him. Jesus was advising the latter course.
But how can you be kind to your enemy when your heart is seething with resentment like a pot about to boil over?
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Jesus came to the heart o. , e matter.
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But / say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. ” Verses 43 and 44.
Love is the answer, said Jesus. Only by having a heart full of love can one be kind to his enemies.
The word Jesus used here for love is not the word used for loving one’s family or friends or sweetheart. It is not the emotional love that springs up naturally in the heart. This kind of love is an act of the will as well as of the heart. “It means that no matter what a person does to us, no matter how he treats us, no matter if he insults us or injures us or grieves us, we will never allow any bitterness against him to invade our hearts, but we will regard him with that unconquerable benevolence and goodwill which will seek nothing but his highest good.” Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, Volume 1, p. 172. One who loves this way ca.. love those he does not like and who do not like him.
Why must wc love our enemies 'sus continued:
"... so that you may be sons of yo-., Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ” Verse 45.
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The Jews did not use many adjectives in their speech. Instead of saying a happy man, they said a son of happiness. For an evil man, they said a son of evil. In the Jewish way of thinking, a son of God meant a godlike man. So, when Jesus said, “that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven, ” He really meant, “That you may be like your Father who is in heaven.”
What is the heavenly Father like? Jesus said that He sent sunshine and rain to the evil as well as the good. Whoever heard of God’s pouring down rain on the field of a righteous man and withholding it from the field of the wicked man next door? No, God has a tender love for all His creatures, good and bad alike.
“You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect/” Verse 48.
Jesus’ listeners were not quite as shocked by this statement as we are today. The word perfect in their language did not mean absolutely perfect, as we understand it to mean. To them something was perfect if it fulfilled the purpose for which it was made. For instance, a door was perfect if it was well-built and fit the frame it was set into.
For what purpose was man created?
God said, “Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. ” Genesis 1:26.
Man was created to be like God!
When a man is kind to his enemies, as God is to His enemies, when a man loves as God loves, then he is perfect. He is like God.
And, of course, the only way to be like God, the only way to have God’s love, is to have God Himself in complete control of the life.
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'7 am the light of the world” — Jesus Christ
Lesson 8
Summary Sheet
Registration No. _
Directions: In the following questions (except No. 3), three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	Who are God’s happy people?
A Those who hunger for righteousness.
B Those who are pure in heart.
C Those who are prosperous in business.
D Those who are persecuted for righteousness. (Section 1)
2.	The Jewish rabbis had obscured God’s Ten Commandment law by
A laying down exact rules for every situation in life.
B teaching that true religion consisted in obeying thousands of regulations.
C insisting that love must be the motive for keeping all these laws.
D maintaining that obedience to their rules was a matter of life and death.	(Section 2)
3.	Following is a list of laws that Jesus mentioned in His sermon. Write 0 in front of the old laws, and A/ in front of the new laws.
____1.	An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
____2.	Whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.
____,3.	Love your enemies.
____i4.	Do not resist one who is evil.
____5.	Whoever lusts has committed adultery.
____6.	Whoever hates shall be liable to judgment.
____7.	You shall not commit adultery.
----8.	Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. (Section 2)
4.	How did Jesus explain the law, “Do not resist one who is evil”?
A If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
B	If he then strikes the left cheek, you may hit him back.
C	If anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him
have your cloak also.
D If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
5.	Loving one’s enemies means
A having the same emotional love for them as for a lover.
B Loving them by an act of the will.
C Regarding them with unconquerable benevolence and good will. D Seeking nothing but their highest good. (Section 2, last part)
6.	When Jesus said, “You must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect/* He meant:
A We must fulfill the purpose for which we were made — to be like God.
B We must be absolutely perfect — in deed, word, and even thought.
C	We must love our enemies as God loves His enemies.
D	We must give God complete control of our lives.
(Section 2, last part)
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
Name......................................................................
Full Address..............................................................
City..........................Postal Zone...........State.................
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
(Do not return your lesson booklets; they are yours to keep. Send only the Summary Sheets. They will be checked and promptly returned to you with your next lessons.)
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LIGHT OF THE WORLD-9
howto belong
Jesus’ sermon was long, but His audience did not tire of listening. His ideas were so new, so challenging, that the people were as attentive the second hour as they had been the first. Even the children kept quiet as Jesus began a new section of His sermon.
1 The Righteousness of the Kingdom (Based on Matthew 6:1-18)
"Take care not to try to demonstrate how good you are in the presence of men, in order to be seen by them. If you do, you have no reward with your Father in heaven. ” Matthew 6:1, Bar.
To the Jews, righteousness consisted of three things — giving alms to the poor, saying prayers, and fasting. Though these things were good, the motives for doing them had become perverted. According to Jesus, good deeds done from selfish motives have no value at all to God.
Then He explained the wrong and the right way to give alms, to pray, and to fast.
“So, when you give aims, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. ” Verse 2, Bar.
The listeners smiled at the funny picture Jesus suggested. Here is a man who wants everybody to see him do a good deed. So he goes out to the market
place, lifts up his trumpet, blasts out a fanfare, and when all heads turn his way, drops a coin in a beggar’s bowl.
He has his reward already, Jesus said. That one moment of attention is all the reward he will get for his deed. God does not accept it. Even the beggar is embarrassed by it.
“But when you give alms, your left hand must not know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms-giving may be in sec ref and your Father who sees what happens in secret will give you your reward in full. ’’ Verses 3 and 4, Bar.
To emphasize how quietly good deeds ought to be performed, Jesus said, “Don’t even let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” Once again the people smiled at Jesus’ vivid way of expressing Himself. What did He mean? Give without thought of self! Give without thought of gaining praise and honor from men! Give with only one motive — to help the needy.
And here lies a paradox. If a person gives in order to get a reward, he will not obtain it. But if he gives from pure love and a desire to help, without any thought of reward, he will be abundantly rewarded.
What are the rewards God gives? To the man of the world, they would not seem like rewards at all - no public announcement, no applause, no name listed in the newspaper. God’s rewards are the love and thanks of the one who was helped; the joy that comes from helping another (you cannot spray happiness on another without getting wet yourself!); a lovely personality; and the “Well done1.” from God, plus Jesus’ words of thanks: “As you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. ” Matthew 25:21, 40.
What is jt.that makes life rich with happiness? “The little attentions, the small acts of love and self-sacrifice that flow out from the life as quietly as the fragrance from a flower — these constitute no small share of the blessings and happiness of life.” White, Mount of Blessing, page 82. These bless the giver even more than the receiver.
Next Jesus told the wrong and the right way to pray.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to
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your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ” Matthew 6:5, 6.
Devout Jews prayed three times a day: at 9 a.m., 12 noon, and 3 p.m. If a man happened to be on the street at the hour of prayer, he would kneel and pray in a loud voice, just where he was. Some made sure they were on the street at that time so they would have a maximum audience. There was only one difficulty: God was not listening.
But there is one prayer God always hears — the prayer of an earnest seeker who goes to Him in secret and pours out his heart's longings. “Never a prayer is offered, however faltering; never a tear is shed, however secret; never a sincere desire after God is cherished, however feeble; but the Spirit of God goes forth to meet it.” White, Christ's Object Lessons, page 206.
Jesus counseled against long, repetitous prayers.
“And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. ” Verses 7 and 8.
How insulted we would feel if someone came up to us and recited some phrases over and over, without giving us a chance to get a word in edgewise, especially if we already knew all the facts in the case. Do
we insult God by talking to Him in the same manner? Yet some people recite their prayers to God. They think that if they batter long enough on God’s door, He will answer. That is not how God operates, Jesus said. It is the sincere cry of the heart that opens God’s door.
Jesus gave His listeners an example of how to pray. “Pray then like this, ” He said.
“Our Father in heaven:
May Your name be kept holy;
May Your Kingdom come,
May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need; Forgive us the wrongs that we have done,
As we forgive the wrongs that others have done us;
Do not bring us to hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One.
Verses 9-13,T.E.V.
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Here Jesus welcomes us into the familv of heaven: His Father is our Father. We can come to Him as a child to a parent.
In this prayer, our thoughts turn first to God — His holiness, His kingdom, His will. When we pray, we do not try to bring God down to us; we seek to come up to Him. We do not try to bend His will to ours; we bring our will into harmony with His.
What is the kingdom of God that we should pray for? Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you. ” Luke 17: 21, K.J.V. Any place where God reigns supreme is His kingdom. Any place where the will of God is perfectly done as it is in heaven is His kingdom. As we submit ourselves to His will, our hearts become His kingdom. And after God has set up His kingdom in our hearts, He will some day set up His kingdom over the whole earth.
After directing our attention to God first, we may then present our personal needs. When we pray for food for the day, we are asking God for spiritual as well as physical food. Jesus Himself is the food for our souls. '7 am the bread of life, ”
He said. John 6:48.
The next part of the prayer is almost frightening: we ask God to forgive us as we forgive others. If we say, “I will never forgive that person for what he did to me,” and then pray this prayer, we are asking God not to forgive us. If we say, “I may forgive, but I can never forget,” we are asking God never to forget our sins.
The closer we come to the holiness of God, the more we see the deformity of our own natures. As we long for the will of God to be done in our lives, we realize our own weakness in temptation, and the power of evil within us. “Keep us safe from the Evil One!” is our cry.
After discussing how to pray, Jesus turned to the subject of fasting.
“And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly / say to you, they have their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father, who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ” Matthew 6:16-18.
Fasting is a discipline intended to draw away attention from the needs of the body to communion with God. Abstaining from food helps the mind become clearer, and the spirit more receptive to God.
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But the Jews in Christ’s day thought fasting had value to earn merit for themselves. Also, fasting gave them an opportunity to parade their piety before men. The Pharisees fasted two days a week, Monday and Thursday. These days were also market days, when the streets were crowded with people. Men who wanted to appear holy would walk up and down the crowded market place with their hair disheveled, their clothing wrinkled, their faces painted white to make them look pale, and a dismal look in their eyes.
Thus these clowns put on on an act that misrepresented the religion of God.
“There is nothing gloomy in the religion of Jesus. If Christians give the impression by a mournful attitude that they have been disappointed in their Lord, they misrepresent His character.... Though in words they may claim God as their Father, yet in gloom and sorrow they present to the world the aspect of orphans.” White, Mount of Blessing, page 88.
Jesus said, “Whenyou fast, anoint your head and wash your face. ” Be cheerful. Show your trials, heartaches, and tears to God alone. And He who sees in secret will reward you by changing your sorrow to joy.
page 7	ADVENTIST
2 The Kingdom First of All
(Based on Matthew 6:19-34)
One point Jesus made clear to His audience of old times, as well as to us today: the kingdom must take first place in the hearts of His followers. No other interests must compete for that position.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Verses 19-21.
Earthly treasure absorbs time and energy All the while one works to increase it, he has the fear of losing it. Jesus directs our attention to something higher and better, the treasure of heaven. What is it? The only
In the same way we are slaves of Christ. In our service for God, our time, our energy our talents, all that we have and are, belong to God and must be devoted to the promotii of His kingdom.
Up to now Jesus had been addressing the rich — the man who has treasure on earth, the man who serves money. Now Jesus shows that the poor man is not exemp from danger. He also can become too concerned about material things. The rich man worries about losing his possessions; the poor man worries about getting what he needs. This anxiety is also an evil that can distract from the kingdom. Jesus warned against it.
'Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what
treasure that can be taken from this world to you shall drink, nor about your body, wha\ the next is souls won to Christ. He who lays you shall put on. ” Verse 25.
up a large number will be rich indeed.
'Wo one can be a slave to two masters: he will hate one and love the other; he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. ” Verse 24, T.E.V.
Worry about material thinp must not interfere with the kingdom first in the life. A person needs to eat and drink. But Jesus forbids him to worry. He should be as free from care as the birds and the flowers.
In Jesus’ day a slave belonged completely to his master as much as a tool or a beast or some other piece of property. All his time and energy belonged to his master. He had no time he could call his own. It was impossible for him to serve another master, not even himself.
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3 How to Enter the Kingdom
(Based on Matthew 7)
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?... And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet / tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you,
0 men of little faith?” Verses 25-30.
And then Jesus told the secret of how to relate oneself to material things:
' “BUTSEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU. ” Verse 33, K.J.V.
Do not lay up treasure on earth to find security, do not be a servant of money, do not even worry about the necessities of life! Work hard for the kingdom of God — put all your energies and time and talents in the furtherance of the kingdom — and your Father in heaven will provide all the things you need.
According to Jesus, the way to the kingdom is not easy.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few. ” Verses 13 and 14.
The path to eternal life is rocky and steep. Anyone loaded with the luggage of sin will be unable to make the climb. He will either have to leave behind every weight, or get left behind himself. The path calls for self-discipline, struggle, and sacrifice.
By contrast, Satan’s superhighway is easy. It is broad enough to accommodate evil habits, dangerous beliefs, and sin by the truckload. It is a smooth, downhill road that one can travel high-gear all the way. It is easy to find, with its bright lights, catchy music, and amusement palaces thronged by the multitudes.
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But strangely enough, the jperhighway is not the happy way; nor is the narrow path the way of gloom. The superhighway offers pleasures and thrills for a moment — followed by dissatisfaction, disappointment, and bitter regrets. The road is strewn with wrecks of humanity — the suicides, the drunkards, the addicts, who tried to escape the miseries of the way. The music does not quite drown out the sighs, the groans, and the cursings of those who travel that road. For though the entrance
is gaudy with signs advertising “Pleasui “Worldly Wisdom,” “Prosperity,” "Ra Advancement/’ they have discovered t: the end of the highway drops off into < abyss called Destruction. Some heed tti[ warnings along the way: “The way of 1 the transgressor is hard\ ” “Turn from 1 your evil ways, ” and “Why will you die1 and get off the road before it is too late They find the way to eternal life hard, but oh so satisfying! They may b< rejected by friends, they may have to struggle on through the heat of the day, they may have to press forward when they feel faint, and hope when they fee discouraged; but each day brings new satisfactions. There is the water of life flowing nearby, where the thirsty can quench their thirst. There is the breathtaking view of eternal life at the summi which gets closer and more distinct every day. Best of all, Jesus walks by th side, comforting, encouraging, lifting, loving. The only real joys of life are found on the upward way.
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4 Your Decision
As Jesus concludes His address on the cingdom of heaven, He brings His isteners, ancient and modern, to a lecision.
“Every one then who hears these words rf Mine and does them will be like a wise van who built his house upon the rock; md the rain feil, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And every one who bears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fait of it.n Matthew 7: 24-27.
Have Jesus’ words moved your heart, as they moved the hearts of the people of long ago? Have you been attracted by the beauty of the principles of divine truth? Have His words struck at the very root of some of your ideas and opinions? Can you see that to obey His teaching will require some tremendous changes in your life?
Then what will you do about it?
To do nothing is to build your house on the sand. It may stand during fair weather. But when the storms come (as they do to every life) — when the rains beat down and the winds howl, when floods rampage down the mountainside — what will happen to your house built on the sand?
“A storm is arising that will wrench and test the spiritual foundation of everyone to the utmost. Therefore avoid the sand bed; hunt for the rock. Dig deep; lay your foundation sure. Build, oh, build for eternity!” White, Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, page 129,130.
Before the storms come, while there is yet time, build your life on the solid rock, Christ Jesus.
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"I am the light of the world” — Jesus Christ
Summary Sheet
Lesson 9	Registration No.
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	What did Jesus say about giving alms to the poor?
A Do not sound a trumpet before you.
B Do not give to be praised by men.
C Give only to those who are worthy of help.
D	Give your alms in secret.	(Section 1)
2.	What are the rewards God gives?
A The love and thanks of the one who was helped.
B Public honor and recognition.
C The joy that comes from helping others.
D The “well done!” from God and the thanks of Jesus.
(Section 1)
3.	What kind of praying is displeasing to God?
A	Praying so everybody will notice.
B	Praying long prayers.
C Repeating the prayer over and over.
D	Praying alone in one’s room.	(Section 1)
4.	What is the right way to fast?
A Show your sorrows only to God.
B	Paint your face white (to look pale) and wear rough clothing.
C	Keep a cheerful expression on your face.
D	Don’t let others know you are fasting.	(Section	1) 5
5.	What attitude should we have toward material things?
A Lay up treasure in heaven rather than on earth.
B Be a slave of Christ instead of money.
C Worry only about the necessities of life.
D	Seek the kingdom of God first of all.	(Section	2)
6.	In this list are descriptions of the two ways. Mark U before each description of the upward way, and D before each description of the downward way.
____1.	Bright lights, catchy music, amusement palaces.
____2.	The way of dissatisfaction, disappointment, and	bitter regrets.
____3.	The narrow, rocky, steep way.
____4.	The way of self-discipline, struggle, and sacrifice.
----5.	The way of lasting joy.
____6. The way with a breath-taking view of eternal life at the summit.
—_ 7.	The way of temporary pleasure.
----8.	The way that ends in the abyss of destruction.
----9. The way of companionship with Jesus. (Section 3)
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
Name..............................................................................
Full Address...................................................................
City............................Postal Zone.............State..................
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
(Do not return your lesson booklets; they are yours to keep. Send only the Summary Sheets. They will be checked and promptly returned to you with your next lessons.)
LIGHT OF THE WORLD -10
TRANSFORMED TEMPLES
Eyes blazing with indignation, Jesus surveyed the outer court of the temple.
He had made the long journey from Galilee to Jerusalem to attend the Passover feast. And what did He find in His temple? A cattle market! A noisy exchange! In all the uproar of animals shrieking and people haggling, it was impossible for a worshiper to find God.
‘Take these things out of here!” He cried. "Don'tyou dare turn My Father's house into a market!” John 2:16, Phi.
The temple had indeed become a market. The priests had long ago discovered that religion was big business. At Passover time there were as many as two and a half million Jews in Jerusalem, most of them from foreign countries on pilgrimage to the holy city. What an opportunity for doing business!
There were two ways to make a profit off these pilgrims. One was by exchanging money. For the annual temple tax, all foreign currency had to be exchanged for temple coins. The money-changers charged a stiff fee for their services.
Another enormous source of income came from the sale of animals for sacrifice. For the convenience of the worshipers, these were sold in the temple court. But the prices were exorbitant — ten to fifteen times the cost outside. And any animal bought outside was almost certain to be rejected by the inspectors (who also charged a fee for their services) on the pretext that the animal was not perfect.
The worshipers became frustrated and bitter. After coming long distances to worship God in His holy temple at Jerusalem, they would not return home without presenting their offerings. But they were outraged to find that the worship of Jehovah had been turned into a money-making racket.
1 The Conquest of the Temple
(Based on John 2:13-16)
Jesus shared their indignation. Raising a scourge of twisted cords, He strode down the steps and pushed over a money-changer’s table. The money clattered to the pavement. No one dared pick it up. Divine wrath blazed through Jesus’ eyes, burning into the consciousness of everyone present.
None could stand before Him. In terror, priests, money changers, and traders fled from the temple, driving their cattle before them.
Then a remarkable change came over the temple. After the racketeers had left, genuine seekers for God flocked in and swarmed around their Savior. Anger gone, His face beamed with love and sympathy.
“Master, bless me!” they pleaded. The blind begged to see, the lame to walk, the deaf to hear. With divine pity, Jesus granted every request. Soon the temple rang with new sounds — shouts of joy and songs of praise.
Now, at last, Jesus reigned in His temple.
* * *
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Lord of my life, I see here a personal meaning for me. My heart was made to be Your temple. I Corinthians 6:19. But it has been invaded by a host of unholy thoughts and desires. I seem powerless to cast out the evil throng.
Will You not cleanse this temple of flesh as You cleansed Your temple of marble? Will You not sit down on the throne of my heart and reign supreme in my life?
2 The Conquest of a Moral Man's Heart
(Based on John 3:1-15)
Among those who watched Jesus cleanse the temple was a Pharisee named Nicodemus. A venerable old man from an aristocratic family, he was a member of the council of seventy-one elders, the highest governing body of the Jews.
He was greatly respected by his people for his strict observance of the law and his liberal support of the temple.
But though he had wealth and honor, he was dissatisfied with his life. In spite of his careful attention to the numerous rules of religion, he felt an emptiness in his heart.
For God has created every man’s heart to be His temple. In each heart is a special place God has reserved for Himself. That place cannot be filled by riches, honor, or self-satisfaction with one’s piety. Until God occupies that place, there is an emptiness, a dissatisfaction, a hunger.
Nicodemus felt that hunger. As he watched Jesus, he felt that He could satisfy his soul’s need. He admired Him for His courage in driving the racketeers out of the temple: he too had been distressed by the commercialization of religion. More than that, he admired Jesus for the love that flowed from Him to all those who came for a blessing. He had a secret wish that Jesus would bless him, too.
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But Nicodcmus was too proud to come to Jesus openly. He feared the ridicule of his fellow Pharisees and the priests, who hated Jesus for publicly humiliating them. He determined to come to Jesus by night. After inquiring where the Savior retired, he waited until the city was hushed in slumber, and then sought Him.
Arriving at the secluded spot, he felt a strange timidity in the presence of this Man half his age. He tried to open the conversation politely. “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God: for no one can do these signs that You do, unless God is with him. ” Verse 2.
Jesus laid aside all polite formalities and came right to the heart of Nicodemus’ problem. “Believe Me,” He said, reading the very soul of this seeker for truth,
- “unless one is borne anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.“ Verse 3.
Resentment flared up in the heart of Nicodemus. He had complimented this young Galilean, and could not the Man find one complimentary word to say in return? But no, far from complimenting him, Jesus had told him in plain words that he was not fit for the kingdom of God! Nicodemus was familiar with the idea of spiritual new birth — that was what Gentiles experienced when they were converted to the Jewish religion.
But to state that he, a blood son of Abraham, a Pharisee of the strictest sort, and a teacher of religion, needed to be born again was insulting! He had felt that he lacked something in his life: Jesus was telling him that he lacked everything!
Jesus was saying that he, an old man in the ways of religion, needed to start all over again and become a new-born baby!
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The verdict was too painful to accept. Nicodemus pretended not to understand.
“How can a man be born when he is old?" he scoffed. “Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Verse 4.
Jesus did not soften His statement, but repeated it more forcibly than before. "I
assure you, that unless a man is born from water and from spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Then He added, “Flesh gives birth to flesh and spirit gives birth to spirit: you must not be surprised that I told you that all of you must be born again." Verses 5 and 6, Phi.
You cannot help being flesh, Jesus was saying. That is how you were born. But flesh is not good enough for the kingdom of God. It may be Jewish, descended-from-Abraham flesh. It may be educated flesh.
It may be religious flesh that fasts, recites prayers, and gives alms. But it is still flesh, and “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." I Corinthians 15:50.
Jesus went on to explain the agencies that bring about the new birth: water and spirit. Nicodemus was familiar with John’s baptism of water, which symbolized the washing away of sin. Water baptism also represented the death and burial of the old nature, and rising again to a new life. With new life came new power breathed into the soul by the Spirit.
“The Christian’s life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit." White, The Desire of Ages, page 172.
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ADVENTIST HPWTAGE CENTER
Nicodemus’ resentment died down as he realized that Jesus did not condemn him, but sincerely desired to help him. He was humbled to realize that in all his years of practicing religion, he had not had the fundamental experience of being born again by the Spirit of God. He saw that he had the shell of religion without the heart — the outward piety without the inward power. He wanted this new experience, but did not know how to obtain it. “How can this be?" he asked.
Then Jesus opened to Nicodemus the mystery of redemption and revealed Himself as the world’s Redeemer. “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, ” He said, “so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life." Verses 14 and 15.
Nicodemus recalled the story — how the children of Israel were bitten b,y fiery serpents as a result of their sins; how, in the throes of death, they cried to God for help; how God commanded Moses
to make a serpent of bronze and elevate it on a pole so that all who were bitten might look to it and live.
Jesus was saying to Nicodemus, “You too have been bitten by the fiery serpent of sin. You too are doomed to die. And I, like that serpent, will be lifted up. There is only one way to obtain life. The antidote for the poison of sin is not good works, Nicodemus. Not fasting, or giving alms, or reciting prayers. I am the antidote for sin.
If you want life, new life, eternal life, you must look to Me and believe.’’
Nicodemus went away from that night conference a changed man. For a time he did not openly become a follower of Jesus, but he watched His life and pondered His teachings. In the national council he repeatedly thwarted the schemes of the priests to destroy Him. When at last Jesus was lifted up on the cross, Nicodemus remembered the words: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life."
“The light from that secret interview illumine the cross upon Calvary, and Nicodemus saw in Jesus the world’s Redeemer.” White,
The Desire of Ages, page 177.
Forever afterward, Jesus reigned supreme in this temple — the heart of Nicodemus.
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3 The Conquest of a Sinner’s Heart
(Based on John 4:1-42)
After the Passover feast was over, Jesus and His disciples returned to Galilee. The shortest route was through Samaria, though many Jews went a longer way around in order to avoid contact with the hated Samaritans.
The animosity between Jews and Samaritans went back hundreds of years.
In 720 B.C. the northern tribes of Israel had been carried away captive by the Assyrians, and had never returned. The few Israelites who remained had intermarried with other captive peoples the Assyrians had sent to occupy the land. The Samaritans were the descendants of these mixed people. The Jews did not regard them as Israelites at all, and would not admit them into their temple services at Jerusalem. In retaliation, the Samaritans built a rival temple on Mount Gerizim.
Later, the Jews destroyed it. In Jesus’ day all that the Samaritans had left were moldering ruins and a smoldering hatred against the Jews, a hatred which was heartily reciprocated.
But Jesus recognized no racial barriers. He led His disciples right through the heart of Samaria.
The day was hot, and the journey was long. Around noon they arrived at the little town of Sychar, where Jacob’s well was located. Jesus sat down at the well while the disciples went to town to buy food.
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Soon a woman came along to draw water. Ignoring Jesus, she filled her jug and turned to go. But Jesus did not ignore her. Though He was exhausted, hungry, and parched with thirst, He rose above His physical needs to be friendly to a stranger. He cared as much for one soul as for a thousand, whether for Nicodemus in the chill dampness of night, or for this woman in the blazing heat of day.
But Jesus had a problem: she hated Jews like Him. How could He approach her?
With divine wisdom, He asked a favor:
“Give Me a drink. ” “The King of heaven came to this outcast soul, asking a service at her hands.” White, The Desire of Ages, page 184. His trust in her awakened her trust in Him. But she was so surprised at His request that she forgot to grant what He wanted. “How is it that You, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?” she wanted to know.
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Now that the silence barrier was broken, Jesus came right to the heart of the woman’s need, as He had with Nicodemus. “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink, 'you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water. ” Verse 10.
The woman was mystified. “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water?” she asked.
Jesus restated His point more forcibly than before. “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that / shall give him will never thirst, ” He said. Verses 13 and 14.
Here Jesus was not talking about ordinary thirst for ordinary water. He meant the special kind of thirst that He Himself put into every human heart — the thirst for God. He created every person with a longing that only He can satisfy, an emptiness that only He can fill. The woman had drunk of the pleasures of sin, but was still thirsty and unsatisfied.
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The water that Jesus offered was "the Spirit, which those who believed in Him were to receive.” John 7 39. Jesus was telling the Samaritan woman the same truth He had told Nicodemus: ‘'You need the Spirit of God in your heart. He will quench the thirst of your soul.”
"Sir, give me this water, that l may not thirst, ” the woman replied eagerly. Jesus wanted to satisfy her longings. But the temple of her soul was as overrun with evil as the temple in Jerusalem. Before He could reign in her heart, He must drive out the sins that occupied it.
Abruptly, Jesus changed the subject. "Go, call your husband, ” He said.
The woman quickly answered, "i have no husband. ”
"You are right in saying, 7 have no husband,' ” Jesus answered, "foryou have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband.”
The woman was alarmed. This Man was turning the pages of her life’s history, bringing to view things she wished to keep hidden. Who was this, that He could read the secrets of her life?
“Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet,” she said with awe. Doing some quick thinking, she saw a way to get herself out of difficulty. “Since You are a prophet, maybe You can settle this argument.
Which is the right place to worship God — on this mountain” (she nodded toward Gerizim nearby) “or in Jerusalem?”
In one clever move she had turned Him away from the painful subject of her private life to an impersonal religious controversy.
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Jesus brought the subject right back to her personal needs. “The place where you worship is not important. It is the spirit of worship that matters/’ He explained.
“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." Verse 24.
Here He declared the same truth that He had revealed to Nicodemus: men do not find God by seeking a holy mountain or a sacred temple. True religion does not consist in outward forms and ceremonies. Only by being born of the Spirit can man be brought into fellowship with God.
The woman's heart was stirred. This Man had awakened in her a thirst for higher things. He had read the secrets of her life, and yet she felt that He was her friend, pitying her, loving her. While the purity of His presence condemned her sin, yet He had shown her the divine power that could cleanse her soul. The question came to her mind, Might not He be the Messiah? Aloud she said, “I know that Messiah is coming;... when He comes, He will show us all things."
And then, as He had revealed Himself to Nicodemus, Jesus revealed Himself to her. “I who speak to you am He, ” He said simply. Verse 26.
While she looked at Jesus in wonder and adoration, the disciples returned. They were astonished to see their Master talking with a woman (no rabbi was supposed to talk with a woman in public) — a Samaritan woman at that — and worst of all (as they gathered from her shadowed eyes and reddened lips) a fallen woman! But they did not dare ask Him any questions. Somehow, they realized that Jesus could not be polluted by contact with any human being; rather, all who came in contact with Him were purified.
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'7 am the light of the world" — Jesus Christ
Summary Sheet
Lesson 10	Registration No.
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	Nicodemus and the woman of Samaria showed that emptiness of soul cannot be satisfied by
A	indulgence in sin
B	high position and wealth
C	observance of the forms of	religion
D	fellowship with God.
2.	Being “born again” means
A following a list of do’s and don’ts B beginning a new life in Christ C	becoming a child of God
D	having the power of God’s	Spirit	in the life. (Section 2)
3.	Jesus will admit into His kingdom those who
A	have died to sin and self
B look to Christ on the cross, and believe C fast, recite prayers, and give alms to make themselves holy D are completely transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Section 2)
4.	Every human heart was made
A with an emptiness that only God can fill B to be a throne for self C	to be a dwelling place of	the Holy Spirit
D	to be God’s temple.
5.	Jesus had the following attitudes toward human beings:
A He had sympathy and love for sinners.
B He avoided the rich and proud.
C He regarded men of all races as precious.
D He treated women, as well as men, with respect. 6
6.	Jesus compared Himself to “living water” because
A	He wanted to arouse the	woman’s interest.
B	Water is a symbol of His	destroying power.
C	He satisfies the thirst of	the soul.
D The need for Christ is as basic as the need for water.
(Section 3)
Your response (not graded):
Indicate which of the following statements express (es) your feelings:
A I have never been conscious of a hunger for God.
B	I	feel a need for God only in times of crisis.
C	I	am dissatisfied with my life as it is now.
D	I	would like to open up my life to the control of God.
E	I	am enjoying a love relationship with Christ.
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
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ANSWER THE ABOVE OUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
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HERITAGE ROOM
LIGHT OF THE WORLD-11
(Based on Matthew 13)
Jesus Christ was a king who had come to set up a kingdom. But He was a most unlikely-looking king, and most people could not understand what kind of kingdom He had come to set up. So one day, after healing the sick, He pushed out from the crowds that thronged the beach, to preach from His familiar pulpit, a fishing boat.
On this occasion He painted many pictures — word pictures — of His kingdom. They were all familiar scenes, taken from shop and kitchen, field and farm and seashore — illustrations that caught the attention of the farmers, merchants, fishermen, and housewives in His audience.
JesUs loved to imbue earthly things with heavenly meaning. Had not He Himself gotten right into human flesh to permeate it with the beauty of heaven? God walked the earth in common flesh so that men could have a good look at Him and understand divinity.
In the same way, Jesus Christ as Creator had imbued nature with qualities and powers that had deep spiritual meaning. From the common things of nature and the workaday world He drew out these lessons to brighten up His teaching. Forever afterward, no one could look at new-green fields of wheat, or fishermen hauling in their nets, or bread dough rising in a pan, without remembering the profound truths Jesus drew from them.
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The first picture Jesus painted was taken right from the nearby hills. "Look at that sower over there going out to sow!” He exclaimed. As the people turned to look, Jesus pointed out further details. “Some of the seed has fallen along the path and the birds are eating it. Some seed is falling on rocky ground where there is not much soil: it will spring up quickly, but as soon as the sun comes out in full strength, it will wither away. Other seed is falling among thorns and will be choked out. But some seed is falling on good soil and will bring forth a harvest — some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (See verses 3 to 8)
Some of the very wise listeners immediately saw deep meaning in Jesus’ picture. But they did not like what they saw. “He is explaining His concept of the Messiah’s work: not to go out and conquer the world by force, but simply to sow seed — plant new ideas — in the hearts of men.” This did not harmonize with their view of Messiah at the head of armies, planting the flag of Israel in the foreign capitals of the world.
They were correct in their understanding. Jesus had come as a king to set up a kingdom. But He had not come to reign on the throne of the Herods or the Caesars. He had come to reign in the hearts of men.
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Jesus Christ came as a revolutionary, to overthrow established religions, deep-rooted prejudices, worn-out ideas. He came to turn the values of men upside down and put a new center into their lives. He came to establish a new society, based on new principles. But in His protest against existing conditions, He organized no strikes, inspired no demonstrations, fomented no riots. He did not throw Molotov cocktails, set fire to buildings, or plant time bombs. He did not direct His attacks against governments or institutions or society as a whole.
Jesus’ revolution focused on the human heart. He attacked the citadel of the soul. His aim was to pull down the throne of sin and self and set up His throne in the life. His only weapon was love.
“I am a sower of seed,” Jesus was saying. “Just as that sower left the safety of his walled village to go out into the field to sow, so I left My home of security and peace in heaven to go out into a hostile world, sowing in tears, watering with My blood the seed of life for a lost world.”
"The seed is the word of God. ” Luke 8:11. How hard and dry and lifeless seed appears to be! But what tremendous vitality is packed inside! Given some moisture and warmth and soil, seeds can crack cement, tear down the monuments of men, and change the face of the earth. So God’s word, the Bible, may appear like a dry, lifeless book. But if it is introduced into the mind, it can break a hard heart, tear down great idols, and transform the whole personality. “In every command and in every promise of the word of God is the power, the very life of God. He who by faith receives the word is receiving the very life and character of God.” White, Christ’s Object Lessons, page 38.
In Jesus’ picture the sower is good and the seed is good, but not all the soils are good. By this Jesus implied, “You are not to judge Me (the sower) or My message (the seed). Rather, by the way you receive My message you pass judgment on yourself. You show what kind of person (soil) you are.”
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There are four kinds of soil. As the sower flings out seed by the handful, some falls on the hard-beaten paths between the plowed fields. The seed cannot penetrate the hard surface: it lies exposed for the birds to eat. The beaten path represents the heart that is indifferent to spiritual things. Packed hard by prejudice, ignorance, or sin, it is unreceptive to truth.
It feels no need nor senses no danger. It can laugh at the most solemn warnings. Before the seed has a chance to sprout, Satan snatches it away.
Some seed falls on shallow soil with bedrock underneath. Though it quickly germinates, the roots can find no earth to penetrate. The hot summer sun, which strengthens and ripens the good grain, destroys that which has no depth of root.
The stony-ground hearer has the hard rock of selfishness underneath all of his good desires. He accepts the word of God as a means of benefiting himself.
But when trials come, or when the word points out the need of forsaking sin, denying self, or sacrificing for Christ, he is offended. The stony heart is the divided heart — half soil, half rock: half serving God, half serving self.
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To set up His kingdom in the heart,
Jesus Christ must have all. “Christ asks for an unreserved consecration, for undivided service. He demands the heart,
the mind, the soul, the strength___This
is the religion of Christ. Anything short of it is a deception__It is by half-
heartedness in the Christian life that men become feeble in purpose and changeable in desire.” The stony-ground hearer will not endure when the test comes upon him. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pages 48-50.
Some seed falls on thorny soil. In the plowing, not all of the weed roots were destroyed. The thorns soon spring up again with great vigor, crowding out the good seed.
The thorns are not necessarily sins. According to Jesus, they represent the cares of the world, the delight in riches, the desire for other things, and the pleasures of life. (Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19;
Luke 8:14) “The cares of the world" — the struggle to earn a living, to accumulate possessions, to “get ahead” — these can absorb all of one’s energy. “I don't have time for religion,” complains the thorny-ground hearer. “I’m too busy.”
To be a Christian takes time — time for meditating on the word, time for communing with God in prayer, time for telling others of His grace. The roots of the soul must strike down into Christ. The soul must drink in the rain of the Spirit and the sunshine of God’s love. But when the soul finds its life in the excitement of worldly pleasures or the accumulating of wealth, the good seed of the word is choked out.
Fortunately, not all of the seed falls on poor soil. Some falls on good ground, where it springs up, sends down deep roots, and yields an abundant harvest.
The good-ground hearer is not a perfect man. The soil of his heart was once hard-packed, stony, and weedy. But he submits to the deep plowing of the Spirit of God.
The hard ground is softened, the weeds are thoroughly uprooted, the stones dug out and discarded.
The good-ground hearer is an honest man who sincerely wants to know the will of God so that he can do it. He strikes down his roots deeply into Christ by daily study of the word and by prayer. He grows spiritually every day, overcoming temptation and developing the sweet, unselfish traits of the Christian life. He brings forth the fruits of a beautiful character full of good works. He sheds the good seed into other hearts where it grows and brings forth fruit. And thus the kingdom of God is spread all over the earth.
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2 The Mustard Seed
Some sneered at Jesus and His “kingdom. All they could see was a small band of men from the lower strata of society. “How poor, how few, how uneducated!” they scoffed.
For their benefit, Jesus drew another picture.
'The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. ” Verses 31 and 32.
* “You are looking at My kingdom in the seed stage,” Jesus said. “Right now it is as small as a mustard seed. But do not underestimate the power of a mustard seed. It grows with great vitality until it is as big as a tree, with birds nesting in its branches.”
Jesus’ kingdom started very small. It had no buildings, no institutions, no salaried workers, no armies. It could not compare with the great Roman Empire, or even with the established religion of His day. But long after the temple of Jerusalem was razed to the ground, the temple of Christ’s kingdom was climbing higher and higher to the sky. Long after the empire of the Caesars had crumbled under the onslaught of barbarian tribes, the kingdom of Jesus continued to spread, leaping over mountains and oceans to every inhabited land of earth. And some day the kingdom of this world will become “the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 11:15.
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ADVENTIST
’ 1 hi: Vi
Some were critical of the kind of people who followed Jesus — the sinners, the opportunists, the office-seekers, the insincere. Through the ages men have been puzzled by the church of Christ: it appears to consist of both good and bad people.
“Is this what Christ’s kingdom is like?” they ask. “Full of hypocrites and sinners! Am I on the outside any worse than those on the inside?”
To answer this objection, Jesus painted another picture — this one right from the shores of Galilee where He was preaching.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; when it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into vessels but threw away the bad. So it will be at the dose of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. ” Verses 47-50.
When the Gospel net is thrown out through the preaching of the word, all kinds of people arc “caught” and brought into the church. Some are good and some are bad. It is not possible to keep all bad people out of the church for the simple reason that man cannot read the heart. Some who appear good on the outside are evil at heart, while some who appear hopeless are the very ones God is working to change. The final separation will be done by the angels, and the judgment belongs to God.
But though there are some who bring shame on the cause of Christ, yet the kingdom of God is also a marvelous exhibition of the power of God to change human lives. To demonstrate this, Jesus flashed another picture into the minds of His listeners — one taken right from His mother’s kitchen.
4 Leaven
“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened. ” Verse 33.
What is it that transform a solid mass of flour and water into light, fluffy loaves? Just a spoonful or two of yeast.
It must be thoroughly dissolved and mixed into the flour in order to work. And then it permeates every bit of the dough, making it bubble up and rise.
The Holy Spirit is the power that gets into human lives and changes them. In order to work, He must be allowed full access to the whole life — the thoughts, the ambitions, the plans.
Some try to change their own lives by breaking off this or that bad habit.
But these are just external changes which do not affect the heart. No person can transform his own life. Just as yeast must be put into the flour before it can rise, so a power wholly from without, the Holy Spirit, must be taken into the life to bring about the transformation.
“How can I get into God’s kingdom? And how can God's kingdom get into me?” some were wondering. Jesus made spiritual blessings so real, so attractive, that He stirred up new desires in the hearts of men. And He showed the way to fulfill those desires.
This time He painted across the canvas of their imaginations His most exciting picture: a man has stopped plowing to pull up something his plow has struck. To his astonishment he sees that it is a treasure chest full of gold coins and precious jewels.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. ” Verse 44.
In Jesus’ day, to display one’s wealth was to invite bandits, plundering armies, or tax collectors to diminish it. The best bank for safeguarding treasure was in the ground. But a man might become separated from his treasure by exile, imprisonment, or death; and the wealth he had taken such pains to preserve was left for the fortunate finder. Years might pass before the treasure was found.
Then a poor man rents an abandoned field to cultivate. His plow strikes something hard. He is astounded to find a chest full of rich treasure. Quickly he
Page 9
buries it, fearful lest anyone should see the hiding place. He continues plowing with studied nonchalance while his mind races. “How can I get this treasure? If I just take it, the owner may claim it. I must make it legally mine. I must buy this field!”
He goes home and begins selling all he owns - house, furnishings, oxen, everything. He cannot explain what he is doing: secrecy is essential, or the price of the land will go sky high. His family and neighbors think he is crazy: they can see no value in the abandoned field.
But the man knows what he is doing. As soon as he holds the deed, he searches every inch of his field until he rediscovers the treasure. He hugs it to himself. Now he is rich.
Did he make a sacrifice? He does not think so. He lost everything he had, but he gained a thousandfold in return.
So, said Jesus, is the heavenly treasure It is worth losing everything on earth to obtain. What is in the casket? Forgivenes for sins, the righteousness of Christ, sons to God, everlasting life, an inheritance in God’s eternal kingdom. And anyone whe can match the excitement, the eagerness, the singleness of purpose, the determine action of the man in the story, will obtai the treasure. Anyone who wants the kingdom of heaven that badly will recei% it.
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One more picture Jesus drew to stir up a desire for heavenly things.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pear/ of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it " Verses 45 and 46.
Christ Himself is the pearl of great price. “All that can satisfy the needs and longings of the human soul, for this world and the world to come, is found in Christ.” White, Christ's Object Lessons, page 115.
In this illustration, the pearl is not a gift. The merchantman bought it at the price of all he had. Christ is a gift, but only to those who give themselves soul, body, and spirit, to Him. All that we are, all the talents and capabilities we possess, are the Lord’s, to be consecrated to His service. When we give ourselves wholly to Christ,
He gives Himself, with all of the treasures of heaven, to us.
But the pearl has another meaning. To Jesus Christ, lost sinners are the precious pearl that He sought and bought back at the cost of all He had.
What a price He paid! He gave up His rank, His glory, His honor, His riches, and finally life itself to obtain the lost pearl. God gave all He had, the bank of heaven was broken, when Jesus laid down His life to save men.
Was the price He paid too high?
Millions, though “bought with a price, ” refuse to let Christ possess His pearl.
But what of those who submit to being bought? How could they possibly be worth the infinite price that was paid for them? Defaced by sin, were they not worth less than nothing?
But here a miracle takes place. The very price put on them makes them of infinite worth. The power He puts into them to transform their lives makes them of infinite worth. The eternal life that He gives them makes them of infinite worth. They are His precious pearl, “the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." Ephesians 1:18.
* * *
King of my life, let my heart be Your kingdom. Let the seed of Your word take deep root in me. Let the leaven of Your Spirit transform my whole life. Let the treasure of heaven be mine. Let me possess Jesus Christ, my pearl of great value. And Jesus, Savior, come and take full possession of me, Your precious pearl.
Page 11
‘7 am the light of the world" — Jesus Christ
Summary Sheet
Lesson 11	Registration No.
Directions: In questions 1 and 2, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	As a revolutionary, Jesus Christ came to
A	overthrow tyrannical governments.
B	overthrow deep-rooted prejudices and worn-out ideas.
C establish a new society based on new principles.
D set up His throne in the human heart.	(Section 1)
2.	Matching: The Parable of the Sower. Place the number of the meaning in the second column beside the symbol it matches in the first column.
The Symbol	The Meaning
	The Sower	1. The heart hardened by sin and prejudice.
	The seed	2. The honest heart that wants to know and do God’s will
	The hard soil	3. Jesus
	The shallow soil with rock	4. The heart filled with cares of
underneath	this life
	The thorny soil	5. The Word of God
	The good ground	6. The divided heart — half serving God, half serving self. (Section 1)
I. Matching: What is the central	thought of each parable? Place the
number of the meaning in the second column beside the parable it matches in the first column.	
The Parables	The Meanings
	The Mustard Seed	1. Everlasting life is worth losing everything on earth to obtain.
	The Net	2. Jesus gave up all to win lost men to His kingdom.
	 Leaven	3. Christ’s kingdom, though small, would some day become great.
	Hidden Treasure	4. A power from the outside must get into a person to change his whole life.
	The Pearl of Great Value	5. We cannot separate the good people
from the bad in this life.
4. Why did Jesus teach in parables?
A To catch the attention of the farmers, fishermen, merchants, and housewives in His audience.
B	To make the truth hard for ordinary people to understand.
C	To draw out the lessons He Himself had put into nature.
D To imbue earthly things with heavenly meaning. (Introduction)
Your response (not graded):
1.	Do you see the value of the heavenly treasure (forgiveness for sin, power to live a righteous life, sonship to God, eternal life) that Christ offers?
________ yes
________no
2.	Do you want this treasure so much that you would be willing to make a sacrifice, if necessary, to obtain it?
--------yes
-------- no
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Full Address...................................................................
City............................Postal Zone.............State..................
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
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LIGHT OF THE WORLD-12
MENDER OF BROKEN FIVES
“The doctor says there is nothing more he can do,” wept the haggard mother.
“I have one more idea,” her husband replied. “I hear that Jesus of Nazareth is back in Galilee after attending the feast in Jerusalem. He is supposed to have miraculous powers. If I hurry, I might be able to reach Him in Cana and bring Him back by nightfall to heal our boy.”
‘Tm afraid he’ll be dead by then,” she sobbed.
I A Desperate Father Finds Jesus (Based on John 4:46-54)
While the servants hitched up the horses, this officer from the court of Herod Antipas paced back and forth between the house and the stables.
Glancing over his estate, he thought bitterly, “Of what value are houses, lands, servants, horses, and chariots, when the light of my life is about to go out?” Gladly would he exchange wealth, honor, and rank for the life of his son.
Mounting the chariot, he snapped the reins on the horses’ backs, and was off.
As he jounced over the rough roads, the bright spring sunshine, the dancing leaves, the songs of the birds, seemed a mockery to him.
Then his mind focused on Jesus of Nazareth, his only hope. He knew only bits and snatches about Him. John, the strange prophet of the wilderness, had proclaimed Him to be the Messiah. Friends had told how He stood right up in the court of the temple during Passover and drove out the money-changers, cattle sellers, and priests with a whip. “He must have a dynamic personality!” thought the officer. Then he recalled the strangest story of all, about the wedding in Cana not many months before. When the wine was all gone, Jesus had told the servants
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to fill six huge jugs with watef and serve it to the guests. But when they poured it out, it was wine — the most delicious juice of the grape that anyone had ever tasted. The servants and guests vowed that the story was true! But along with these reports had come ugly rumors that Jesus was a false prophet, and no one should listen to Him. “I will soon know whether He is the true Messiah or not,” he thought. “If He can’t heal my son, I won’t believe in Him!”
The hours and scenery dragged by. It was almost one o’clock in the afternoon when he saw the little town of Cana ahead. “Jesus must be in that crowd of people over there,” he thought, as he urged on the horses for the last lap of the journey. Arriving at the edge of the crowd, he jerked the team to a halt and leaped out.
The crowd opened up before this rich-man-in-a-hurry. He strode between the solid mass of people until he came face to face with Christ.
Then his heart sank.
He saw before him only a plainly dressed man, dusty and worn with travel. “He is not what I expected Him to be!” he thought in despair. “He will not be able to help me.”
But Jesus was his last hope. “Sir, my son is at the point of death,” he exclaimed. “Could you please come back to Capernaum with me and heal him?”
Jesus looked at the man and read at a glance the fear, the heart-ache, the desperation of his soul. He also saw something wrong in his attitude. Looking straight into the man’s eyes, He said: “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe. ” Verse 48.
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The rich man forgot about J esus’ poor clothing. He realized that he was in the presence of a divine Being — one who could read his doubts, though he had never expressed them orally. In a flash he saw that his attitude might cost the life of his son. “Sir, come down, or my child will die!” he begged.
Jesus could never turn away from a soul who clung to Him, pleading its great need. “Go; Your son will live,” He said.
Relief poured through his soul, washing out the tension and fear. His doubts dropped off like dead leaves, while faith sprouted and grew.
The father had absolute faith in Jesus. As he got back into his chariot, he did not hurry home to see whether the boy was really healed. He knew. Already the fever was gone. Already the whole family was rejoicing. As he went leisurely on his way, all nature seemed to be joyful with him. He stopped at an inn to get a good night’s sleep and did not arrive home until the next morning.
While he was still coming down the road, the servants ran to meet him, anxious to relieve the suspense they were sure he must feel. “Your son is all better!” they called.
He drew up to them. “Tell me,” he asked, “what time did he get better?” “Yesterday at one o’clock.”
The officer nodded his head. “That was the very time Jesus said to me,'Your son will live,' ” he said.
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(Based on John 5:1-14)
The officer’s household could not keep their joy to themselves. The servants spread the story of the miracle among the servants of the city. The boy started it going among the children. The father told it to his wide circle of influential friends. Soon all Capernaum knew about it. Even Herod in his palace heard about Jesus, the Healer from Nazareth.
And if the officer could speak to us today, he would say, “Jesus Christ has power to do everything — turn water to wine, heal the sick, read the needs of your soul. But you have to believe Him.
“I took Him at His word: I rejoiced in the healing of my boy a day before I had any proof that he was healed.
“You, too, can take God at His word, by claiming the promises of the Bible. You, too, can rejoice in God’s answer to your prayers, even before you have the outward evidence. If you have this kind of faith, Jesus Christ will do great things for you.”
The pool of Bethzatha in Jerusalem was supposed to have healing powers. When water bubbled up from the springs beneath, the people believed that an angel was stirring the waters, and whoever was the first to plunge in would be healed. Five porches were built around the pool where the sick could lie and wait for the stirring of the waters. There was always a pathetic collection of Jerusalem’s most wretched sufferers crowded together on the pavement. Of course, only the strongest managed to shove their way in ahead of the others, leaving the real sufferers in despair.
One Sabbath day Jesus went for a walk by this pool. His heart ached for the misery He saw. He could not heal everyone, for such an act on the Sabbath would arouse such opposition from the priests that His life would be cut short. But J esus saw one case of supreme wretchedness that demanded His help. Lying on a mat was an old man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years.
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As the man lifted his head for the hundredth time to see whether the water was stirring, he saw a loving face bending over him. "Do you want to be healed?” a kind voice asked.
Hope lighted his eyes and then faded away. "Sir, / have no man to put me into the poo! when the water is troubled, and while I am going, another steps down before me, ” he mourned.
But then he looked into the eyes of Jesus, and in those eyes he saw divinity. "Get up, ” he heard Jesus say, “pick up your bed and walk!” Verse 8, Phi.
He responded, he made the effort, and instantly strength coursed through his muscles. Springing to his feet, he rejoiced in his new-found powers.
The sick man might have lain there and laughed at Jesus. “ ‘Get up and walk’ — that’s just what I can’t do!” Or he might have said, “Heal me first, and when I feel the power, I will stand up.”
But no — as soon as he heard the command, he willed to obey. And it was in willing that he made contact with the infinite power he needed to carry out the command.
There are many today who are lying helpless in the grip of some evil habit.
For all such people, the paralyzed man has a tremendous message: “Look up, as I did, and you will see a loving face bending over you. Jesus will ask you, as He asked me, ‘Do you want to be healed?’ You know you should give up this habit that is ruining your life. But do you really want to? Jesus can’t help you unless you are serious!
“You may say as I did, ‘I’ve tried many times without success.’ But don’t worry about the past. This time will be different.
“The next thing Jesus does — He commands you to do the impossible:
‘Get up!’ And you must respond to His command. Will to get up out of slavery. And in willing, you come in contact with infinite power. Your will plus God’s power gives you the victory.
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ADVENTIST
3 The Di.vii Comes to. Church (Based on Mark 1:21 -39)
“ ‘Pick up your bed!’ is His next command. Don’t leave it there so you can lie down again. Make no provision for a relapse!
“ ‘Walk!’ You are strong! You are free! Only hold on to the hand of God and you will not fall.
“One final word Jesus has for you. He said this to me when He met me giving thanks in the temple: 'Look, you are well. Do not sin again, or something worse might happen to you!’ ” Verse 14, Phi.
Jesus’ one act of healing the paralytic caused such a furor among the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem that He once again returned to Galilee. After being rejected in his home town of Nazareth, He went to Capernaum where the people were anxious to see Him. Then, as His custom was, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. As soon as word got around that the great Healer was in the synagogue, the attendance suddenly increased. The seats filled up, until there was standing room only; and after that many were turned away, unable to get within sound of His voice.
The ruler of the synagogue invited Jesus to have the Scripture reading and sermon that day. And as He preached, the people sat spell-bound. His voice was like music, compared to the motonous tones of the rabbis. There was power in His message, and such love in every look and tone that every sincere heart was drawn to Him.
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But while He spoke, one listener became terribly agitated. Suddenly he jumped out of his seat and rushed down the aisle, eyes wild with insanity. Most terrifying of all, a hoarse voice from within him shrieked out, “What have You to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? / know who You are, the Holy One of God!" The devil was in him!
The congregation panicked. There was danger of a stampede as some tried to force their way to the door.
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But Jesus took prompt action. “Be
silent and come out of him!” He commanded. The man screamed and convulsed in agony. Then suddenly he became quiet. As he realized the change that had come over him, tears of gratitude streamed from the once wild eyes.
The people were astonished. "What is this? Some kind of new teaching?” they wondered. “This man has authority to give orders to the evil spirits, and they obey Him!” Verse 27, T.E.V.
And if the insane man could speak to us today, he would say: “I was once a respectable person, but I wanted to have a good time. I indulged in the most degrading sins until the evil one took complete control of me. Then when I wanted to get free from him, I couldn’t.
“But When Jesus of Nazareth came near, I felt In the dimness of my mind that He could help me. I followed Him into the synagogue. But that wasn’t enough —
I wanted to get near Him. I tried to go to Him, but the devil held me back. As I struggled forward, he shrieked out in terror at coming in contact with Christ.
“Coming to Christ was the only thing I could do. I had no power to change my life and make myself better. I came just as I was, in all my sin, bringing the devil himself with me. Jesus freed me from his domination and made a new man of me.
If you will come to Him just as you are,
He will do the same for you.”
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After the synagogue service service Was over, Jesus went to the hohie of Peter’s wife for a little rest and refreshment. But there was no Sabbath dinner waiting for Him. Peter’s mother-in-law lay sick in bed with a high fever. Jesus lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. Joyfully she rose and got dinner ready foY Jesus ahd His hungry disciples.
News about what had happened in the synagogue spread all over Capernaum. For fear of the rabbis, the people did not come to Christ until the sun set, marking the end of the Sabbath. Then streams of sick people, carried on litters, leaning on crutches, supported by friends, came to the humble home where Jesus was. Hour after hour they came: nohe knew where the great Healer would be tomorrow. Never had any doctor conducted such a clinic as this one: every patient went away healed.
Jesus worked on and on into the night Until the last sufferer was relieved. Then He stretched out wearily on the hard bed provided for Him, and fell asleep.
But long before Peter and the other disciples were ready to Wake up, long before the sun rose, Jesus tiptoed out of the house and down through the silent streets of Capernaum, until He found a lonely place. And there He prayed. Mark 1:35. Never was any life so crowded with labor as His. And never did anyone spend more time in prayer than He did. From His hours alone with God He was recharged with divine power for healing stricken humanity.
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(Based on Mark 2:1-12)
The scribes and Pharisees were alarmed at the influence Jesus of Nazareth was gaining over the people. When they learned that He was back in Capernaum after another tour around Galilee, a whole company of them from all over Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem descended on the house where He was staying. They had one purpose: to spy on Him. They crowded closely around Him so they would not miss one word or act.
The little house was taxed to capacity. Every room was full. The windows were crowded with faces; the doorways were jammed with people. Then, right while Jesus was preaching, a great commotion was heard over-head. Lumps of mud plaster began falling down. What was happening?
Someone was trying to get through the roof!
On the rooftop was a man with a sad history. He was in the last stages of a social disease, his whole body shaking uncontrollably with palsy. When the doctors pronounced him incurable, he had gone to the priests for comfort. “I wouldn’t be afraid to die if I only knew that God has forgiven my sins,” he said.
“Sickness is God’s punishment for sin,” they had told him. “The very pain you suffer is proof that God is angry with you.”
The man sank into despair, until he heard about Jesus. According to reports, Jesus never turned anyone away, not even a man possessed of the devil. “I must get to Him,” the man resolved.
Four friends, pitying his condition, put him on a litter and carried him to the house where Jesus was. But the place was packed. None of the crowd would budge to let them through.
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The sick man looked around in anguish. Would he come this close to the great Healer — even within sound of His voice — ' and not be able to get through to Him?
Then he thought of an idea. “Let me down through the roof!” he exclaimed.
His friends carried him up the outside staircase to the flat roof of the house.
Then they pulled up the brushwood and clay between two beams, making a large enough opening for the stretcher to go through. By ropes, they let the man down right over the spot where Jesus was standing.
As the stretcher came down in front of Him, Jesus looked at the pleading eyes, and the shaking hands stretched out to Him. He knew the heart longings of this man.
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“Child,” He said with infinite tenderness, “have courage. God is not angry with you. Your sins are forgiven.” (See Matthew 9:2) The burden of despair rolled off the sick man’s soul. His physical pain was gone. The shaking stopped. He lay in blissful silence, too happy for words.
Some of the priests recognized this man. They had consigned him to the wrath of God, and now Jesus had reversed their sentence. As they saw the huge crowd watching Jesus with intense interest, a sickening fear came over them that they were losing their influence over the people. They sensed that they must tear Him down to build themselves up.
With raised eyebrows Jesus’ critics glanced at each other, all thinking the same thing: “Who does this man think He is, forgiving sins? Only God can forgive sins!”
Jesus read their thoughts as an open bopk. “Why do you think evil in your hearts?’’ He asked. “For which is easier, to say, ' Your sins are forgiven, ’ or to say,
'Rise and walk? ’ But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins” — He then said to the paralytic — ‘Rise, take up your bed and go home. ’ ” Matthew 9: 4-6.
The man jumped to his feet, lifted the litter as if it were a feafher, and marched out the door, praising God.
The priests had their answer. If sickness was proof of God’s anger against sin, then the healing of the man was proof that his sins were forgiven. And if Jesus could heal, He must be able to forgive sins. And if He could forgive sins, He must be God. But the priests closed their minds to the witness of the palsied man.
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If that man could speak to us today, he would say: “Whatever your need, you must get through to Jesus Christ. Let no obstacle hold you back. You are actually closer to Him than I was — a prayer for help will bring you right into His presence.
“What? You are afraid that your prayers go no higher than the ceiling?
Why, friends, my experience proves that the ceiling is no barrier between the soul and its God. Even the blackest sins cannot separate you from Him, if you are sorry for them. My life is evidence that no matter how you may have wrecked your life, Jesus Christ can make you new again — soul and body.”
* * *
Jesus, Savior, my only claim to Your help is my great need. I made the bed I now lie in: my own mistakes got me into this trouble. But You who did not despise the paralyzed man, or the palsied man, or even the demon-possessed man - I know that You will not despise me!
Here is the promise I claim: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9.
And now in faith, with no evidence but Your word, I thank Yoo for forgiving my sins and for making me a new person.
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‘7 am the light of the
— Jesus Christ
Summary Sheet
Lesson 12	Registration No.
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are
correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	Some important principles taught by the experience of the desperate father are:
A We should pray with the attitude: “If God answers my prayer, then I will believe in Him."
B Jesus never turns away from the soul who clings to Him, pleading its great need.
C Faith makes us joyful and free from care.
D By faith we may accept God’s promise before we have
evidence that He has helped us.	(Section 1)
2.	What lessons can we learn from the experience of the man at the pool?
A Jesus is bending over every sinner and sufferer with a look of pity.
B Before obeying God’s commands, we should wait to feel His power.
C Our will power, along with divine power, is needed to give us victory over sin.
D We should make no provision for falling back into sin.
(Section 2)
3.	What lessons does the insane man teach us?
A When we indulge in sin too long, the evil one takes complete control of us.
B Jesus Christ is able to help the most hopeless slave of vice.
C	The one enslaved to sin must have a desire to be set free.
D	Before coming to Jesus, we should first get rid of our sin.
(Section 3) 4
4.	What can we learn from the man who went through the roof to Jesus?
A Pain and suffering are evidences that God is angry with us.
B No matter how we may have wrecked our lives, Jesus Christ can make us new again.
C	We should let no obstacle hold us back from Jesus.
D	We can come close to God more easily than the palsied man
could.
Your response (not graded):
1.	What do you think about faith? Check the statements that express your views.
_______ Faith is trying hard to believe something that isn’t so.
_______ Faith can do great things, but it is hard to get it.
------- Faith is simply believing that God is what He says He is,
and that He will do what He says He will do.
2.	Think about these questions: Do you believe God is honest? Do you believe He keeps His promises? Did you know that the Bible
is full of God’s promises to you? All you need to do is to find them and claim them for yourself!
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
Name.....................................................................
Full Address.............................................................
City.........................Postal Zone............State................
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
(Do not return your lesson sheets; they are yours to keep. Send only the Question Sheets. They will be checked and promptly returned to you with your next lessons.)
LIGHT OF THE WORLD- 13
TOWER UNLIMITED
One day a delegation of Jewish elders came to Jesus with a special request. “There is a Roman officer here in Capernaum whose slave is lying paralyzed at home, in terrible distress,” they said. “Would you go and heal him?” As Jesus continued silent, they urged, “He is worthy to have You do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built us our synagogue. ”
Luke 7:4.
“I will come and heal him,” Jesus replied. As the elders led the way,
Jesus followed.
1 A Soldier's Faith
(Based on Matthew 8:5-13, and Luke 7:1
When they were not far from the house, the officer sent friends to Jesus with the message, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy to have You come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to You. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,' and he goes; ahd to another, ‘Come, ’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,' and he does it. ” Luke 7:6-8.
Jesus marveled at the man’s faith. There are only two times when Jesus ever marveled: once at the unbelief of His own relatives and neighbors from His home-town of Nazareth (Mark 6:6); and the other at the faith of this Roman soldier, a stranger and a foreigner (Luke 7:9).
-10)
This officer was an unusual man.
He had an unusal attitude toward the Jews. Most Romans looked upon Jews as a filthy race whose religion was a barbarous superstition. If a Roman could overcome his own prejudice toward Jews, he still faced the Jewish hatred toward foreigners, which was formidable. The worst kind of foreigners, of course, were the Roman soldiers who occupied their land.
In the face of all these obstacles, this soldier was undaunted. He set out to learn the language, the customs, and the religion of the local people. And much to his astonishment, he found that their religion was far superior to his own. He soon recognized that Jehovah, the allwise, all-powerful Creator, was the only true God and that the immoral deities of Rome were false gods. He became such a firm believer in the Jewish religion that he built the Jews a synagogue from his own funds.
By loving his enemies, this Roman soldier did the impossible — he broke through the massive wall of prejudice separating Jew from Gentile. Even the priests were his warm friends.
The officer had an unusual attitude toward his slave. In the days of Rome, a slave was a piece of property. He could be bought or sold, mistreated or killed, at the whim of his master. Old or infirm slaves were usually sold or killed.
But this centurion was tenderly attached to his sick slave. He loved him as a brother. He grieved over his suffering and spared no effort to find a cure.
The officer had an unusual attitude toward his men. He was a centurion, or captain over a hundred soldiers. To them his word was law. Whenever he issued a command, it was instantly carried out. But it was not just because of army discipline that his men obeyed him. He was so kind and fair that he inspired the love and loyalty of his men.
The officer had an unusual attitude toward himself. Though he was a man of authority, he was humble. While the elders said of him, “He is worthy, ” he said of himself, “I am not worthy.n
He felt unworthy to have Jesus come under his roof. One reason was that he knew the Jewish attitude toward Gentiles. According to Jewish laws, Gentiles were ritually unclean, their houses were unclean, their food was unclean. No Jew would defile himself by entering a Gentile home or
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eating Gentile food. Yet this man was not bitter over the third-class status the Jews had assigned to him. “I am not good enough, my house i$ not good enough, for You to come under my roof/' he said.
The officer had an unusual attitude toward Christ. He understood Jesus as few men of his day understood Him. Underneath the common exterior of Jesus of Nazareth, he saw the Lord of creation, with power to command myriads of angels to obey His word. “As I have power to command my men and they obey me, so You have power over angels and devils, disease and death, and they obey You," his words implied. He knew about the Jewish officer whose son had been healed from a distance by a word from Jesus. He knew that distance was no problem for the mighty power of Christ. “Speak the word only, and my servant will be healed," he said.
While most of the Jews despised Jesus as a poor peasant, this Roman looked up to Him as God. In the presence of divinity he felt his own nothingness. He did not even dare to approach Jesus personally, but sent others to speak for him.
And because this Roman soldier humbled himself lower than the Jews, Jesus exalted him higher than the Jews.
*'Truly, I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith," He said. Not among the scribes and Pharisees, not even among His own twelve disciples, had Jesus found such beautiful faith.
"I tell you," Jesus added, "many will come from east (Asia) and west (Europe) and sit at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. ” Matthew 8:11,12.
This Roman had considered his table unfit for a Jew to sit down at.
But Jesus assured him of a place at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Messiah's kingdom.
Jesus honored the faith of the centurion. When the elders and friends reached his home, they found the two men, master and slave, rejoicing in the miracle Jesus had performed.
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2 An Only Son Restored to His Mother
(Based on Luke 7:11-17)
The next day, Jesus left Capernaum, by the Sea of Galilee, for the city of Nain, about twenty miles away. His disciples and friends were with Him.
The trip meant a long, uphill climb, and they must have wondered why He was going so far.
They did'not know that a widow in that town had just lost her only son.
But Jesus knew.
As the little company walked down the road, farmers dropped their shovels to greet Him; housewives left their dirty dishes; children jumped up from their playing in the mud. Today they would follow Jesus; the work would keep until tomorrow. People kept joining the company until Jesus had a large following. The children skipped on ahead while the older ones plodded along behind. Everybody was feeling gpy. Who would not be happy when the Prince of life was with them, turning their sorrow to joy?
By afternoon they could see the town of Nain in the distance. Then they notice a long procession of people filing out the main gate. Coming nearer, they could hear the shrill wailing of the flutes, the slow beat of the cymbals, and the moans of the hired mourners. Like rain on a sunny day, this funeral procession dampened their joy.
Soon the two companies met and merged.
“Who died?” someone asked.
“A young man of our town. That’s his mother crying by the bier. Her husband died some years ago, and this son was her only comfort and support. Now he’s gone and she has nobody left.”
“When did he die?’’
“Just this morning.”
“What a pity Jesus didn’t get here sooner. He can heal the sick, you know.” “It’s too late now.”
But it was not too late. Jesus had met His appointment at Nain.
As He saw the widow sobbing over her dead son, His heart was moved to its depths. In the cry of this mother,
He heard the cry of all mothers, from Eve weeping over her slain son to His own widowed mother soon to weep over her dead Son.
Walking up to her, He said gently,
"Do not weep.”
Then He laid His hand on the bier. The crowd pressed around to see what He would do. The children squeezed close to the front, while the people in back stood on tiptoe. They all held their breath.
There was a moment of hushed silence. Then Jesus spoke: “Young man, / say to you, arise.” Luke 7:14.
Someone screamed when the corpse began to stir. The young man sat up, eyes opened wide in surprise. “How did I get here? Who are all these people? Mother, why are you crying?”
Then he realized what had happened. Leaping off the bier, he threw his arms about his mother, while she sobbed for joy.
The funeral procession broke up amid exclamations of astonishment.
Not since the days of Elijah and Elisha had mothers received their dead sons back to life. Could this be Elijah?
"A great prophet has arisen among us!” "God has visited His people!” “Praise to God!” they cried.
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ADVENTIST HERITAGE CENTER
3 An Only Daughter Restored to Her Father
(Based on Luke 8:40-56 and Mark 5:21-43)
Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue in Capernaum, was in great distress.
His little daughter was desperately ill. For twelve years she had been the sunshine of his home. But now the black cloud of death was advancing across the face of the sun, shutting out the light from his life. He could not face the future. Tomorrow, and the next day, and the next without her — how could he bear it?
In his anguish he could think of only one hope, Jesus of Nazareth. But Jairus was strongly prejudiced against Jesus.
As ruler of the synagogue, he was the guardian of orthodoxy, of the traditions and laws of the rabbis. Jesus seemed to him a destroyer of all that he stood for. He resented Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah. And as for His miracles, were they from God or the devil?
Yet, when he let down his prejudice, he found himself attracted to the humble Galilean. That time when Jesus had preached in his synagogue, Jairus could feel the love and power of God radiating from Him. The conviction seized him that Jesus Christ was all He claimed to be. Then his old prejudices returned. And so the struggle had gone on for weeks: “Jesus of Nazareth, shall I accept Him or reject Him?’’
But now he was forced to action. Doctors and medicines had failed. He had no alternative. He must go to Jesus.
Swallowing his pride, he wormed his way through the crowds and fell down at the feet of Jesus. “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her} so that she may be made well, and live, ” he begged. Mark 5:23.
Jesus looked at the haughty ruler lying prostrate before Him. In this man He saw all the millions of human beings who turn to God only as a last resort. “God, if You will help me just this once, I will serve You for the rest of my life,” they say. Yet only a few are sincere. Jesus was pained to think that while He offered Himself to men as a life-long companion, they wanted Him for emergencies only.
Yet His heart of love could not refuse the request of the anguished father. Without hesitation, He followed the ruler to his home nearby.
Their progress was painfully slow.
So many people thronged Jesus that He could hardly move. The father knew that a few minutes’ delay could mean the life of his daughter. He wanted speed. He wanted action.
But Jesus seemed in no hurry. Suddenly He stopped. “Who touched Me?” He asked.
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4 A Woman’s Faith
The disciples were annoyed at the question. “Master, the multitudes surround You and press upon You!” objected Peter.
But Jesus insisted. “Someone touched Me: for / perceive that power has gone forth from Me. ” Luke 8:
45,46.
Jairus was nearly frantic at the delay.
But the Savior had not forgotten him, or his sick little daughter at home. There was something here that Jesus wanted Jairus to see — something that would strengthen his faith.
While Jairus watched, a timid woman came forward trembling, and cast herself at Jesus’ feet. With tears of gratitude she poured out her story.
For twelve years she had been incurably ill, spending all her money on physicians, only to be made worse. The mention of twelve years caught Jairus* attention. Twelve years: that was the same period of time that he had his beloved daughter, the sunshine of his home. And all during that time this woman had been in misery.
As she mentioned the nature of her illness, Jairus understood her problem instantly. According to Jewish laws, the disease she had made her unclean. Every thing and every person she touched was unclean. She was not allowed to attend religious services or to associate with other people. Most likely her husband had divorced her. She was an outcast from society. She was not even supposed to be in the crowd that day.
The woman continued her story.
J ust when she had been ready to give up hope, she had heard about Jesus. She learned that He even healed unclean people, like lepers and demoniacs. She was sure He would heal her. Knowing she was not supposed to be in the crowd, she had decided to approach Him secretly. If she could just touch His clothes, she knew she would be healed. So when Jesus came
closer to her, she reached out and clutched the tassel of His robe, the blue tassel that every Jew wore as a sign of allegiance to God. And in that instant she was healed. The hemorrhage stopped, the strength and color returned to her anemic body.
For a few moments Jairus was able to forget his own troubles in contemplating this woman’s experience. She still had problems, he knew: she was still poverty-stricken, still divorced, still an outcast from society. Then Jesus said the sweetest thing to her: “Daughter, be of good cheer.” The world might have cast her out, but Jesus took her in. “Daughter,” He called her. As he listened, Jairus felt his own heart warmed.
Jesus continued, “Your faith has made you well. ” Matthew 9:22.
Not some magic powers in His clothing, but her faith in Christ, her laying hold of His power, had rmde her a new person.
Jairus’ faith was just beginning to grow when it received a sudden blow.
A servant from his house came running up to him. “Your daughter is dead, ” he panted. “Why trouble the Teacher any further?” Mark 5:35.
“Dead!” Jairus thought in despair. If only Jesus had hurried! If only He had not helped that woman!
Jesus understood his thoughts. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Only believetand she shall be well. ” Luke 8: 50.
All Jairus had to sustain him now was faith in the word of Jesus. His daughter was dead, but Jesus said she would be well. Could he believe that? The miracle he had just witnessed helped him. His panic subsided. Calmly he walked by Jesus' side.
Arriving at the house, they found everything in commotion. The hired mourners were wailing, the flutists were playing a dirge. All the noise jarred on the spirit of Jesus. “Why do you make a tumult and weep?” He asked. “The child is not dead but sleeping. ” Mark 5:39. The wailing turned to laughter. Jesus requested everyone to leave the house, while He led the parents, with Peter, James, and John, into the child's room.
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Then He took the cold little hand in His, and in words of infinite tenderness, said, “Little lamb, I say to you, arise!” As He lifted her up, she opened her eyes and jumped up from the bed. Soon she was in her daddy’s arms, and then her mother’s. And then, for the first time in many days, she said, “I’m hungry!”
“Give her something to eat!” ordered the Divine Physician.
And once again the sun was shining in the heart and home of Jairus.
* * *
Jesus is still the answer to men’s desperate needs. To the mourning ones He says, “Do not weep.” To those who look death in the face, He says, “Don’t, be afraid.” To the lonely and the outcasts, He says, “Son, daughter, be of good cheer.”
But how can we get through to Him? Thousands, like the crowd, touch Him carelessly and feel no power. They attend religious services, recite prayers, or even read a Bible lesson like this, but receive no power from Christ.
How can we receive His power?
First we must have a need, and the conviction that He is the answer to that need. Then we must go to Him, as the sick woman did. We may find Him at the church, in the pages of the Bible, or in the secret place of prayer. We must come into His presence, though coming is not enough. The crowd also came.
The most vital step is to grasp His words as the woman grasped the tassel of His robe. Take hold of His promises, and do not let go until the blessing comes. It is by reaching out the hand of faith and taking hold of the promises of God that we come in contact with infinite power. And through that power we are made whole.
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Lesson 13
Registration No. _
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	In what Ways was the Roman centurion an unusual man?
A He was one Roman officer who had Jewish priests for his friends.
B He regarded his slave as a piece of property, to be sold or killed at his whim. ‘
C He was so humble, he felt unworthy for Christ to enter his home.
D He recognized Christ as the Lord of creation, with power over disease and death.	(Section 1)
2.	How did Jesus honor the centurion’s faith?
A He declared that He had not found such faith in Israel.
B	He entered the centurion’s home and ate with him.
C	He promised the centurion a place at the table of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob.
D	He healed his servant.	(Section 1)
3.	From the story of the interrupted funeral procession, we can see that
A Jesus feels the pain of all mothers.
B Jesus sometimes arrives too late.
C Jesus says to those who mourn, “Do not weep.”
D	Jesus turns sorrow to joy by His presence.	(Section 2)
4.	From the experience of Jairus, we learn that
A Jesus refuses to help those who come to Him as a last resort.
B Observing how Christ helps other people strengthens our faith in Him.
C Sometimes we have nothing but the word of Christ to calm our panic.
D Jesus refers to death as a sleep. 5
5.	From the experience of the woman with the hemorrhage, we learn that
A though the world may cast us out, Jesus will take us in;
B holy objects (such as Christ’s robe) possess healing powers;
C to receive help from Christ, we must come into His presence;
D we must take hold of the promises of God and not let go until the blessing comes.	(Section 4)
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Full Address..................................................................
City...........................Postal Zone..............State.................
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
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LIGHT OF THE WORLD-14
CALM DOWN!
jesus was tired.
All day He had been teaching about the kingdom of heaven to large crowds by the Sea of Galilee. But it was not the teaching that wore Him down. It was the hardness of human hearts, the resistance to His ideas, the malicious criticism, and the dullness of the people to comprehend spiritual things. “This people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are heavy of hearing, and their eyes they have dosed, lest they should perceive with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn for Me to heal them, ” He complained in the words of Isaiah. Matthew 13:14,
15.
Constantly shadowed by spies and mobbed by curious onlookers, He could not even find a private place in which to lie down. “Let us go across to the other side of the lake,” He finally suggested. The disciples took Him “just as He was” — tired, hungry, and unwashed, into the boat. Mark 4: 35, 36. Finding a cushion, He lay down in the stern and was soon fast asleep. Peter’s boat that had been His pulpit by day became His bed by night.
As those sturdy fishermen rowed Jesus away from the crowded shore, they looked tenderly at their sleeping Lord. How they longed to ease the arduous labor of His life — the long journeys on foot, the constant teaching and healing that hardly left Him time to eat, the long nights of prayer with only the damp, hard ground for a resting place. How comforting it was to see Him asleep, trusting to their v seamanship and God’s care. Gradually the twilight deepened into the blackness of night, and they could see Him no more.
Jesus hoped to find seclusion on the other side of the lake, about five miles away, where the people, mostly Greeks, knew little about Him. But He was not able to get away from everybody. The “press corps” of His day, eager to pry into every detail of His life, hopped into their boats and followed along. They wanted a story. And they got a much bigger one than they expected.
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Calming the Wild Sea (Based on Matthew 8:18-27,
Mark 4:35-41, and Luke 8:22-25)
The bpats had not gone far when a violent storm came up. Because of the terrain of the surrounding countryside, Galilee was subject to sudden squalls. The Jordan Valley, with the Sea of Galilee to the nörth, and the Dead Sea to the south, is part of a deep cleavage in the earth that extends from Palestine all the way down to Africa. The land in this cleavage is very low, 680 feet below sea level at Galilee. This makes the weather warm and pleasant most of the time.
Around the sea are broad tablelands flanked by tall mountains. Through the centuries rivers have cut deep ravines from these mountains down to the sea, which provide channels not only for the water, but for air as well. When a cold wind blows from the west, these ravines act like giant funnels, that trap the air and narrow it down, increasing its pressure and velocity, until it rushes upon the little sea with savage violence. A glassy-still lake can be lashed into fury in just a few minutes.
One of these sudden squalls struck on this night that Jesus was trying to get some rest. The fishermen of the lake found themselves battling with the worst storm they had ever encountered. The little boat with its precious load bobbed up and down over the wild sea like a cork. Huge waves broke over the sides, pouring in water. Though the disciples worked with desperate energy, the water came in faster than they could bail it out. The ship was about to founder.
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As the sea opened its mouth to swallow them, the disciples gazed with horror into the jaws of death. Then they remembered Jesus. Where was He? In their struggle with the elements they had almost forgotten that He was aboard. Suddenly, in a flash of lightning, they saw Him — still asleep on His cushion in the stern of the boat.
How exhausted He must have been, that the howling of the wind, the crash of thunder, the lurching of the boat, the drenching rain and cold water sloshing over Him, could not wake Him up! He got tired, He needed sleep, just like any other mortal. In all His humanity He lay sleeping, Jesus, the Son of man.
Frantically the disciples shook Him awake. "Master, don’t You care that we’re drowning?” they cried. “Save us!’’ Mark 4:38, Phi.
Awaking, Jesus stood up in the crazily lurching boat. Aglow with the lightnings, He stood forth in divine Majesty — Jesus, the Son of God! In a voice of authority, the same voice with which He had called the worlds into existence, He commanded the wind and the waves, “Peace! Be still!”
In this command He “rebuked the wind” as if it were a person. Mark 4 39. Did He see an evil person behind that storm — His old enemy trying to hurl Him and His infant church to the bottom of the sea?
The enemy heard and recognized defeat. Meekly he laid down his weapons. The winds died down; the waves became calm. The clouds rolled back and the stars shone forth. The disciples were surprised speechless, while the more articulate “press corps” found words to express themselves: “Who is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?” Mark 4:41.
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Jesus waited for the storm of terror in the disciples’ hearts to subside. Then He turned to them with words of gentle reproof. “Why were you so frightened? How little faith you have!” Matthew 8: 26, T.E.V.
Why were they afraid? What a question! Who would not be afraid of being swallowed alive by an angry sea? Was Jesus implying that it was possible to face a horrible death without fear? Did He mean that in the middle of a raging storm they could be calm?
The disciples might have protested, “You are demanding the impossible!” except that they had just seen Him demonstrate what He meant. Sleeping peacefully through a storm — what greater evidence of trust in God could there be? Furthermore, it was not as Lord of creation, with power over earth, sea, and sky, that He slept. He had laid down that power when He took human nature. He said, '7 can do nothing on My own authority. ” John 5:30. He trusted in His Father’s power. Believing that God could care for Him on the sea as well as on the land, Jesus had lain down to sleep. And when He rose, still calm and unafraid, it was with His Father’s authority that He stilled the storm. His trust was in God, not Himself.
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The disciples had reacted to the storm like normal human beings. But Jesus was never satisfied with normal human behavior. He expected more from His followers. Why had they failed Him? They had set out across the lake at His command. They had Jesus in the boat with them. Yet these two factors were not enough to keep their minds in peace. What was lacking?
Clearly, it is not enough to have Jesus nearby: His Spirit must be within. It is not enough to have Him in the boat: He must be in the heart. Only through the power of the abiding Christ can one# find inward calm in the midst of outward storm.
Into every life the storms will come. Grief, doubt, worry, resentment, bitterness — all can stir up a tempest in the soul that one is powerless to calm. Harmful thoughts, constantly repeated, cut deep channels into the mind through which the winds of passion blow, lashing the emotions into a turmoil. The storm not only destroys joy and peace, but often threatens life itself.
There is only one way to quiet the turmoil: send out the call, “Lord, save me! I perish!” Jesus is ever alert to the cry of distress. He, and He alone, can rise and still the storm. He alone can transform doubt, fear, or anger into peace and joy. He alone can say to the troubled heart, “Peace! Be still!"
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2 Taming the Wild Men
(Based on Matthew 8:28-34;
Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39)
After spending the night at sea,
Jesus and His disciples drew up to shore not far from the town of Gergesa. Jutting abruptly from the narrow shore were steep cliffs of limestone in which were caverns and rock chambers for the dead. Perhaps Jesus would find among the dead the quiet and peace that He could not find among the living. A golden sunrise over a golden lake gave promise of a refreshing holiday away from the pressures of the multitude.
But it was not to be.
Jesus and the disciples were just walking up the bank after tying down the boat, when they heard a bloodcurdling yell. Looking up, they saw two wild men dashing out of a cave, heading straight toward them. They were a frightful sight. Stark naked, their bodies were bloodied where they had gashed themselves with stones.
Wild eyes glared out from long, matted hair. Chains, which they had burst in defiance of all attempts to confine them, dangled from their wrists and ankles. They looked more like wild beasts than like men.
The disciples took one look and fled. Their trembling hands could hardly get the boat untied fast enough. They were about to shove off when they noticed that Jesus was not with them. Looking back, they saw Him standing where they had left Him.
Embarrassed, they realized that they had once again reacted in fear. And once again Jesus was giving them an example of trust in God. Sheepishly they walked back up the path and stood safely behind their Master.
Jesus once more stood face to face with His enemy. In the wilderness Satan had come to Him as an angel of light. On the lake he had come to Him in a wild storm. Now he confronted Him in the person of two wild men. Satan’s warfare against Christ never relaxed. If he could not bury Christ at sea, he would drive Him from that country.
But Jesus stood His ground. Holding out His hand, He bade the two demoniacs be still. They stood raging, but helpless, before Him.
These men were the terror of the countryside. No one dared pass that way for fear of being torn to pieces.
Jesus commanded, “Come out of them, you unclean spirits!”
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ADVENTIST
HERITAGE CENTM
In terror the men cried out, “What have You to do with us, 0 Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” Matthew 8:29.
The demons knew who Jesus was: the Commander of heaven, against whom they had rebelled. They knew that they were doomed to destruction in the day of judgment. For them, just to stand in the presence of Christ was torment — a foretaste of judgment.
Jesus turned to one of the men.
“What is your name?” He asked.
Tlie man wanted to answer, but the demons spoke for him. “My name is Legion, for we are many, ” came the strange reply.
On a plateau above the cliff a large herd of swine were feeding. With them were swineherds, eagerly watching from their safe position the drama of Jesus and the madmen.
Just then the demons begged Christ, “Please do not send us out of this country. Let us go into those pigs over there.” Jesus gave them permission. Instantly a panic seized the herd. They begin running madly toward the cliff that jutted over the sea. The swineherds tried desperately to head them off, but in vain. The whole herd, about two thousand animals, ran right over the cliff into the sea below. The shrieking of the crazed animals and the splashing as they hit the water, were terrifying to hear.
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The swineherds were stunned. If each pig was worth $50, the total loss came to $100,000. Eager to absolve themselves from responsibility, the men ran to the owners and told what had happened. Word of the disaster quickly spread through country and town. Greatly alarmed, the whole population came out to meet jesus.
They saw an amazing sight. The two men who had terrorized the area were sitting quietly at the feet of Jesus. The disciples had washed them, found clothing for them, combed their hair, and removed their manacles. Their eyes beamed with intelligence and love. They were completely transformed.
The country people were impressed. But then their eyes looked beyond to the sea, full of pig carcasses bobbing in the waves. The realization of their loss overwhelmed them. How much were two men worth? Two thousand pig??
A hundred thousand dollars? No, the price was too high!
“Don’t stay in our country!” they begged Jesus, afraid of further calamities. “Please leave right away!”
The demons gloated over what they had done. They had contrived to stay in that country and to drive Jesus out. Hearts that were closed to Christ were opened to them. In the men of Gergesa the legion of spirits found new souls to possess.
The spirit of Gergesa still lives today. When the choice comes between financial profit and Christ, how many prefer financial profit! Jesus always comes to the life as a disturber, upsetting the status quo. He says,
“If you would follow Me, you must give up this bad habit of yours,” or “You must renounce all dishonest business practices, even if you cannot make as much money that way,” or, “Whoever would be My disciple must sacrifice his personal wealth to build up the work of God.”
Jesus longs to open men’s eyes to the true values in life. He wants them to see that health is more enjoyable than indulgence, that honor is worth more than wealth, that sacrifice and toil bring more satisfaction than selfish ease, and that souls are more precious than swine. Above all, He wants men to see Him as the “pearl of great value,” worth more than all the wealth of the world put together.
Jesus turned sadly away from the men of Geraesa. He never stayed where He was not wanted. But He did not reject them as they had rejected Him.
He knew that they were heathen, with little knowledge of God or the Scriptures. They did not know that they were turning away the Prince of life from their shores. In mercy He gave them another opportunity to learn about JTim.
Jesus walked down to the boat, the two restored men following closely behind Him. As He was about to step inside, they clung to Him, pleading for permission to go with Him. In His presence they felt safe from the demons that had tormented them. They longed to sit at His feet, to listen to His words, to serve Him always.
But Jesus had a different idea. "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you,' Jesus said, thinking about the men of Gergesa. Mark 5:19.
The two men obeyed, though over whelmed by the assignment. They had been isolated from society so Ion?, that they were afraid to meet people. They were not prepared to teach about the religion of Christ, since they had not yet heard one sermon from His lips.
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But they had a great story to tell — their own personal experience. They bore in their bodies the proof that Jesus was the Son of God. They were walking evidence of the power of Jesus Christ to transform a human wreck into a monument to God’s glory.
The men went to their own families and relatives. They went to the people whom they had terrorized in the past. They traveled all over Decapolis, the “ten cities” on the east side of Jordan, creating such a tremendous interest that the next time Jesus crossed over to their shores, thousands were eager to receive Him.
Once again Jesus was victorious in the battle with Satan.
* * *
Jesus, Savior, I too am fighting a deadly battle with the enemy of my soul. I am buffeted by storms without and demons within. Alone, I am afraid to face the conflict.
How I wish I could be as close to You as the disciples were, watching You raise Your mighty arm to quell the storm and vanquish the evil one.
But as I listen to Your voice, I can hear You say to me, “My child you are not alone in the battle of life. I am here, closer to you than I was to the disciples of old. I was with them, and they were still afraid. I can be in you, and you will never need to fear. Through the power of My Spirit within) you can live a victorious Christian life. Then I want you to * go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.’ ”
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Lesson 14
Summary Sheet
Registration No.
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are
correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	What was it that wore down Jesus' strength?
A The hardness of human hearts.
B The eagerness of the people to hear His words.
C The malicious criticism of His enemies.
D The dullness of the crowds in comprehending spiritual truths.
(Introduction)
2.	What lessons can we learn from the story of the storm?
A Jesus is not satisfied with normal human behavior in the face of danger or death.
B Perfect trust in God takes away all fear of death.
C Jesus rested during the storm as Lord of earth, sea, and sky: He did not face danger as we do.
D It is not enough to have Jesus nearby: His Spirit must be in the heart.	(Section 1)
3.	What should we know about emotional storms?
A Harmful thoughts, constantly repeated, cut deep channels into the mind.
B The best way to calm the emotions is to keep from expressing them.
C Emotional storms not only destroy peace, but threaten life itself.
D Only Jesus can say to the troubled heart, “Peace, be still.”
(Section 1) 4
4.	What lesson can be learned from the loss of the herd of swine?
A It is God who destroys men’s property.
B	Jesus comes to men as a disturber of their value systems.
C	Jesus wants men to know that people are more precious
than property.
D To follow Christ, one must be willing to sacrifice personal wealth.	(Section 2)
5.	In this lesson, how do we see Satan's opposition to Christ?
A Satan tried to hurl Christ and His infant church to the bottom of the sea.
B Satan confronted Christ in the persons of the two wild men.
C Satan stirred up the men of Gerasa so that they drove Jesus out of their country.
D Satan aroused so much opposition that Christ was never able to return to Gerasa.
6.	How were the two restored men qualified to witness about Christ?
A They could tell what the Lord had done for them.
B They were well acquainted with Christ and His teachings.
C They bore in their bodies evidence that Jesus was the Son of God.
D They were living proof that God could transform human wrecks into monuments to His glory.
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
Name.....................................................................
Full Address.............................................................
City..........................Postal Zone...........State................
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
(Do not return your lesson booklets; they are yours to keep. Send only the Summary Sheets. They will be checked and promptly returned to you with your next lessons.)
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LIGHT OF THE WORLD-15
SOUL FOOD
On a grassy hillside near a placid stream, Jesus and His disciples were enjoying sweet fellowship together.
The cool fresh air, blue skies, spring wildflowers, and birdsongs refreshed them body and soul. Jesus and His men had come together, after a time of separation, to share their joys and sorrows. Joys, because the disciples had had great success going out two-by-two preaching the Gospel. Sorrow, because they had just received word of the tragic death of John the Baptist. After all their strenuous labors, and the shock of John’s death, Jesus had counseled them: "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while.,> Mark 6:31.
What a privilege it was to have Jesus all to themselves for a change! How precious were His words of encouragement and comfort! The disciples hugged those moments to themselves and wished they would never pass.
But soon they began to hear voices in the distance — the voices of a great multitude. Jesus rose to His feet and looked down the hillside. There below Him were thousands of people milling around, with more coming all the time. Even in this lonely place by the fords of Jordan north of Galilee, they had found Him.
How did Jesus feel, when every attempt to get a little rest was foiled by storms or demons or crowds? Was He irritated?
Loving Savior that He was, He was stirred to the depths of His being with pity for them. They looked to Him like sheep having no shepherd — lost sheep not knowing the way home.
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1	Bread for the Body
(Based on Matthew 14:13-22; Mark 6: 30-45; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15)
Jesus led His reluctant disciples down the hill, and began immediately to teach and to heal the sick. He worked right through the noon hour and afternoon without stopping to eat or rest. In that beautiful place with their Creator, the people felt that heaven had come down to earth among them. So much joy, so much glory filled their souls that day that they forgot how tired they were from the long hike as they had chased after Jesus. They forgot that they had not had time to buy food. They forgot that they were hungry.
But Jesus did not forget. Turning to Philip, He asked, “Where will we buy bread for these to eat?” Philip was from the nearby town of Bethsaida, and would know where the shops were.
Philip was appalled at the question. Was Jesus thinking of feeding that huge crowd? Unreasonable and impossible! Doing some mental calculations, he came to the conclusion: 'Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." John 6:7. One denarius was a day’s pay: a man could give all his wages for two hundred days and still not have enough to feed that crowd.
The other disciples were also disturbed by Jesus’ question. Finally, as the sun began to cast long shadows on the ground, they thought they had found a reasonable solution. “Send the crowd away, to go into the villages and country round about, to lodge and get provisions,” they suggested to Jesus, “for we are here in a lonely place.” Like an unhappy housewife, faced with unexpected guests, they decided to recommend the nearest hotel.
But that was not Jesus’ way. He would not turn away from anyone who was hungry and fainting. “You give them something to eat," He said.
Luke 9:12,13. As they looked at Him blankly, He suggested action.
"How many loaves have you? Go and see!” Mark 6:38.
While the other disciples stood frozen in disbelief, Andrew went out looking. “Does anybody around here have some bread?” he asked. A little boy came up to him. “I have some,” he asserted, “and if Jesus needs it, I’ll give it to Him!”
Touched by the little fellow’s unselfishness, Andrew did not refuse the offer. From a glance at the boy’s basket, he saw that the food was cheap stuff he had bought from a street vendor that morning. There were five barley loaves (barley was for animals, and only the poorest people ate barley
Page 3
bread) and two salt fish no bigger than sardines. They would not go very far. But Andrew was acting on orders. Taking the boy by the hand, he led him to jesus. "There is a tad here who has five bariey loaves and two fish,” he told Jesus, adding with lowered voice, “but what are they among so many?” John 6:9.
“Make the people sit down, ” Jesus commanded.
By this time, sensing that something wonderful was about to happen, the other disciples had found their legs. They went out and seated the people in groups of fifties and hundreds, noting that there were about five thousand men in the crowd, plus women and children.
Jesus liked to do things in orderly fashion. He did not want the crowd pushing and shoving for food. And the people were glad to relax and wait to be served.
Jesus blessed the boy’s lunch and then began to break the bread and fish. Standing close by, the little fellow was amazed to see that no matter how much Jesus broke off, there was still more left. One by one He filled up the disciples’ baskets, while they served the food and came back for more. Not until all the people had been fed did Jesus and His thirteen men (twelve big and one small) sit down to eat.
Perhaps their conversation went something like this:
Boy:	I’m so glad I gave my dinner
to You, Jesus. I expected to go hungry, but now I have more than I did in the first place.
Jesus: I appreciate your sacrifice, son. May I tell you a secret? Whenever you make a sacrifice for others, God blesses you so much that in the end it is not a sacrifice at all.
Andrew: I’m sorry my faith was so
small, Master. I never dreamed You could feed thousands of people with such a little bit of food.
Jesus:
Philip:
Jesus:
Peter:
Jesus:
If your eyes were opened, you would see that God performs this miracle every year. A farmer plants a bushel of grain, and God gives him a hundred bushels in return.
God is always feeding the multitudes by His great power. In His hands a little becomes a lot.
Lord, I feel so ashamed. I've had this loaf of bread hidden in my robe all day. 1 didn’t even dare take it out to eat, for fear I'd have to share it with someone. Now I don’t need it and tomorrow it will be stale.
Philip, if you remember just this, the experience will not be in vain: by giving you receive; by keeping you lose. Blessings imparted to others will multiply in your hands. Blessings kept to yourself will dry up and spoil.
This was a tremendous experience today — getting the bread from You and giving it to the people!
And this is the work I have called you to do. Every day you must come to God in prayer to receive the living bread from Him. Then you must impart it to the hungry souls around you.
Boy:	My lunch wasn't very special,
but when I gave it to You something wonderful happened!
Jesus: Yes, son, whenever you put all you have into the hands of God, something wonderful will happen! You are all ordinary men. Not one of you is great by the world's standards. But if you will put your life and talents, however humble they may be, into the hands of God, He will do great things through you.
Jesus looked beyond to the multitudes. “They have eaten their fill, and still there is food left over. Let's not waste anything. Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.
John 6:12.
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As the disciples went in and out among the crowds, each filling his basket with the left-overs, they heard what the people were saying.
“This is like eating manna in the wilderness!”
“Surely Jesus is that prophet whom Moses predicted — the Messiah of Israel!”
“What a Messiah! He could feed the armies of Israel!”
“And every time a soldier got injured in battle, He could heal him right away and send him back to fight!” “He could even raise dead soldiers to life! With Him at the head of our armies, we would be invincible!”
One man really got carried away by the spirit of the occasion. “Fellow Galileans! Patriots!” he shouted. “We here today are an army five thousand strong! What are we waiting for? Let's make Him king!”
The crowd cheered.
The disciples shivered with excitement. At last the day had come for Christ to set up His kingdom.
A group of men ran up to Jesus, ready to carry Him off on their shoulders. But suddenly they stopped. The glad, eager look faded from their faces.
He did not approve.
Jesus was already a King: Lord of the universe. He would not accept the bloody throne of Herod, to be won by a bloody revolution. He had come to His one rebel world to become King of men's hearts — by love, and not by force.
Standing forth in kingly majesty, Jesus took command of the situation. To the disciples He issued the order: “Get into the boat and cross over to the other side of the lake.” To the crowd He gave the command: “Every-one will leave for home immediately.'
Strong, determined men were in that crowd. But none dared defy His authority. Sullenly, but obediently, they left.
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(Based on Matthew 14:23-33;
Mark 6:46-52; John 6:16-21)
The disciples were so incensed that they forgot about all the blessings of the day. “What a politician!” they complained. “Just when all the people are wild about Him, He drives them away!”
“The golden opportunity comes, and He throws it out!”
“I wonder if He realizes that when He is honored, we are honored; and when He is disgraced, we suffer the disgrace too.”
“Yeah. So many times we have been called sons of a false prophet.”
“You know,” said one cautiously, “sometimes I wonder whether the Pharisees are not right. Maybe He is a false prophet.”
The group fell silent as they digested that thought. Darkness was fast overspreading their souls. A storm of rebellion churned their emotions into a turmoil.
When men manufacture trouble,
God sometimes sends them real trouble to take their minds off their imagined grievances. Soon a strong gale came howling down the mountains, whipping the sea into a lather. The disciples lowered the sail and began rowing. But the wind was against them, and no matter how hard they rowed, they could not keep on course.
During all this time, Jesus was alone on the mountainside, praying. He was pained to think that His people, even
His disciples, wanted worldly honor more than the spiritual blessings He had come to give them. He knew that the disciples’ hopes, based on a popular delusion, were soon to be crushed in a most humiliating manner. Instead of being lifted up on David’s throne, He would be lifted up on a cross. Hour after hour He pleaded with His Father to open the eyes that Satan had blinded, so that men might appreciate their Savior. In deep anguish of soul, He wept as He prayed.
Finally He stood and looked out over the sea. Far off in the distance He could see the little boat tossed by the angry waves. He knew that the disciples were no longer angry with Him: they wanted Him now. And He would go to them.
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ADVENTIST HERITAGE CENTER
(Based on Matthew 14:25-33)
By three o’clock in the morning, the disciples were exhausted. They had labored all day for the multitudes and struggled all night with the sea. just when their strength failed, and they were ready to give up the fight for life, they saw a shining figure walking toward them on the waves. Horrified at this omen of death, they cried out, "/£ is a ghost!”
‘Take heart, it is /; have no fear, ” the “ghost” answered.
Peter was beside himself with joy. "Lord, if it is You, bid me come to you on the water, ” he called.
Jesus said, "Come. ” Verses 26-29. Peter let one foot down on the water; then he stood on both feet. It held him up! Gleefully he began walking toward Jesus. Once he glanced back to make sure his com-
—^pr
panions were watching the show. Th«vs a big wave came up between Him an i His Lord. In the middle of the raging storm, he was suddenly struck by tb* absurdity of his position. “How did ) get out here?” he thought. “What made me think I could walk on water?” And he began to sink.
"Lord, save me!" he screamed.
In an instant Jesus was by his sid*% grasping his hand and lifting him up.
"O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” He asked. Still holding hands, Peter and Jesus walked back to the boat.
Sometimes even today God summons a man to do the impossible — to step out on some venture with no support but faith. If he loses sight of Christ for a moment, he may suddenly panic. “What am I doing out here with no human support?
How did I get in such an untenable position?” he wonders. And then he begins to sink. If he will look up, he will see Jesus right there, ready tc grasp his hand and lift him up to continue the walk of faith. He will find that faith in Christ in indeed a solid support: it will hold him up.
Fear will change to exhilaration as God performs a miracle each step of the way.
As soon as Jesus stepped into the boat, the storm died down. Shortly afterward the boat came to land on the plain of Gennesaret.
4	Bread for the Soul (Based on John 6:22-71)
As soon as the sun came up, the crowds went all over looking for Jesus. They hoped for another free meal. Finally they found Him in the synagogue at Capernaum.
Jesus was hurt to think that so many followed Him only for the temporal benefits they could get from Him. Along with bread for men's stomachs, He longed to impart bread for their souls. If they accepted the physical bread alone, they received only the husk of the blessing He wanted to give. "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for {he food which endures to eternal life," He said. Verse 27.
Jesus presented His spiritual blessings in the most attractive light to awaken a desire for them. To an old man He talked about being born again. To a thirsty woman at the well He talked of living water. To the masses of poor He told the way to obtain precious pearls. To the hungry crowds He presented bread that could give eternal life.
uLord, give us this bread always, ” the people responded.
Then He introduced this bread to them. '7 am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" Verse 35.
The people were startled by this idea. But Jesus was telling them something very beautiful. “What bread is to your body, I may be to your soul. I made you for fellowship with Myself.
I	put into your heart a hunger for Me that nothing in the world can satisfy.
I	want to do more for you than just to supply your physical needs. I offer Myself to you as your intimate Friend. If you will come to Me, I will satisfy all the hunger and thirst of your soul."
Jesus continued, '7 am the living bread which came down from heaven;
... and the bread which / shall give for the life of the world is My flesh. ” Verse 51.
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Before one form of life can become food for another, it must die. An animal must relinquish its own life before it can give its flesh as food.
Not far in the future, Jesus would die on the cross to offer His flesh as food for the world.
This thought was repulsive to the Jews. “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” they sneered.
Jesus did not soften His statement, but repeated it more forcefully. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” "He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. ” Verses 53 and 56.
By the strange symbol of eating, Jesus shows how close He wants to come to His people. Eating is a symbol of union. Bread taken into the body is mysteriously changed into blood and bone and muscle. It becomes one with the person who eats it. So Jesus wants to become one with us — a very part of us.
In practical terms, what does this mean? Where do we find Jesus* flesh and blood, and how do we eat it?
Jesus is found in the Bible. We take Him into our lives by reading about Him in His word, by meditating upon His life, and by speaking to Him and He to us in the intimacies of prayer.
J ust as our bodies are what we eat, so our characters are what we think.
By taking Jesus into our minds and our thinking, we make Him a part of our personality and character. He becomes one with us.
Such ideas bored the crowd in the synagogue. They were more interested in their stomachs than in their souls, in this life than the next. To show their contempt for the priceless gift He offered, many got up and walked out.
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When Jesus was feeding their stomachs, He stood at the peak of popularity, surrounded by cheering multitudes. When He offered food for their souls, He stood at the peak of loneliness, with the crowds leaving Him in droves.
A year before, the hierarchy at Jerusalem had rejected Him; now His own countrymen of Galilee rejected Him.
Jesus watched the departing crowds with intense grief. He had offered them the greatest gift of heaven — Himself — and they had refused it. As He saw many of His former disciples leaving Him, He turned to the twelve and asked, ‘‘Willyou also go away?”
Peter, loving and impulsive, was the first to respond. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of God. " Verses 68 and 69.
Peter spoke for the group. But one of the twelve was silent, brooding. He saw more clearly than the others that Jesus offered only spiritual blessings — no earthly glory. He was still bitter against Christ for refusing to be made a king.
Jesus understood the heart of Judas. “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” He asked. Verse 70. He knew that another great sorrow lay ahead of Him: His “own familiar friend” would betray Him to His enemies.
* * *
Jesus, Bread of my soul, come into my life and be one with me. In my busy program? I pledge to reserve a quiet time each morning and evening for study of the Word and prayer. As I come to You, dissatisfied and hungry, may You come to me and feed me with the living bread. Take me into intimate fellowship with Yourself.
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'7 am the tight of the world" — Jesus Christ
Lesson 15
Summary Sheet
Registration No.
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	What lessons did Jesus teach by feeding the five thousand?
A God likes things to be done in orderly fashion.
B Our task is to receive from God and give to others.
C By keeping we receive; by giving we lose.
D When we put what we have into God’s hands, He does
wonderful things with it.	(Section 1)
2.	Why did Jesus refuse to let the crowd make Him king?
A He knew He did not have the political power to lead a successful revolution.
B	He was already a king — Lord of the universe.
C	He did not want the bloody throne of Herod, to be won
by bloody revolution.
D He came to be king of men’s hearts by love and not by
force.	(Section 1)
3.	What can we learn from the story of Peter’s walk on the water?
A Sometimes God asks a man to do the impossible.
B If a man walks by faith in God, without human support, he will sink.
C Our danger comes when we lose sight of Christ.
D Jesus will come right away when we call for help.(Section 3)
4.	What is meant by eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ?
A Eating the Passover lamb in honor of Christ.
B Reading about Jesus in His Word.
C Speaking to Christ in the intimacies of prayer.
D Taking Jesus into our minds, so He becomes a part of our personality.	(Section 4) 5
5.	Why did Christ call Himself “the bread of life”?
A	What bread is to the body, Christ is to the soul.
B	As bread is a small part of our diet, so Christ longs to
have a small part in our lives.
C Christ satisfies the hunger of the soul.
D Bread becomes part of the body: so Christ wants to
become one with us.	(Section 4)
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LIGHT OF THE WORLD -16
CROSS AND CROWN
All His life, |esus had been walking toward a cross in the distance. But as He drew nearer, it loomed large before Him. Less than a year of His life remained. Each step of the way was laid out plainly before Him — each heartache, each insult, each stab of pain. Yet He resolutely pressed forward.
1	A View of the Cross (Based on Matthew 16:13-28;
Mark 8:27-9:1; Luke 9:18-27)
The disciples had completely opposite views of the future. They pictured Jesus seated upon the throne of David, surrounded by His twelve disciples sitting on twelve thrones. James and John saw an added detail: James would sit at Jesus’ right hand, and John at His left. This ambition infuriated the other disciples, since they each hoped for the highest position.
Nowhere in their thinking was there room for a cross.
Jesus had the difficult task of trying to blot out one picture from their minds by painting another. To spare them a great deal of anguish,
He wanted to tell them plainly of His mission to die for men’s sins and rise again. But they had such positive ideas that their minds were closed to truth.
Still Jesus gave them every opportunity to be prepared for the tragic events of the future. He began spending more time with His men and less with the crowds. He led them far north of Galilee to Caesarea Philippi, where He could be alone with them. Before trying to reason with them, He went away alone to plead with God for power to open their minds. Then He asked them a question: “Who do men say that lam?”
They told Him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others one of the prophets.” Sadly they had to acknowledge that Israel had not recognized her Messiah.
Then Jesus asked the vital question. uBut who do you say that / am?”
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Peter's soul had been stirred by the heathen atmosphere of that country — the ruins of ancient Baal worship, the images to the Greek god Pan, the gleaming marble temple for the worship of Caesar. In the face of all this idolatry, he declared in ringing tones, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” Matthew 16:16.
Jesus' heart warmed to Peter’s faith. “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ” Jesus rejoiced that His hours of anguished prayer had not been in vain. God had opened Peter's eyes: beneath the lowly guise of humanity, Peter had seen the divine Son of God.
Now that the disciples realized He was the Son of God, Jesus began to open to them the purpose of His mission to earth. He described His coming trip to Jerusalem, His sufferings at the hands of the chief priests and scribes, His death by crucifixion, and His resurrection in triumph on the third day. He painted the picture vividly, hiding no details.
The disciples listened, speechless with grief and amazement. Christ had just acknowledged that He was the Son of God; now His words pointing to His suffering and death seemed incomprehensible. Peter could not keep silent. Grasping his Master as if to hold Him back from doom, he exclaimed, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to You!”
Jesus turned on Peter with a scathing rebuke: “Get behind Me, SatanI You are a hindrance to Me; for you are not on the side of God, but of men. ”
In Peter’s words, so full of loving concern for his Master, Satan was speaking. He was repeating the same temptations he had offered in the wilderness of fasting as well as the wilderness of feasting: "I will give you the whole world. The crowd will give you the throne. You don't need to go to the cross!"
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So powerful, so appealing was the temptation that Jesus dared not entertain it for a moment. “Begone!”
He had said to Satan. “Go home!”
He had commanded the crowds. “Get behind Me, Satan!” He cried to His startled disciple.
How often the tempter speaks in the voice of a friend, trying to turn a man from the path of duty. “There are dangers ahead! You will suffer hardships! You might even die!” In later years, friends of the Apostle Paul tried to turn him from God’s appointed path. Paul expressed the feelings of Christ when he answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die at Jerusalem!” Acts 21:13.
The disciples knew that their destinies were linked to Christ’s. They wanted to share His glory. They rebelled against His suffering, knowing that they would suffer with Him.
Jesus confirmed their fears, stating that there was a cross for them as well as for Himself. “If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me, ”
He said. Luke 9:23.
The picture was most repulsive to the disciples. The cross was the Roman instrument of torture, used on criminals and political offenders. How often had they seen a poor wretch struggling desperately with his captors until the cross was bound to him and he was forced to carry it to the place of execution! But who would ever take up a cross willingly? What did Jesus mean by that obnoxious figure of speech?
This was something to do daily, right now. There were three commands: deny self, take up the cross, follow Christ. And all three had but one meaning: to surrender the will to Christ.
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To deny self means to say no to self. My comfort and ease — no, my hopes and ambitions — no, my pleasure and sinful desires — no. These all must die, be crucified on the cross. There is only one cross Jesus asks His disciple to bear — the cross on which self is crucified. Then, when self is dead, Jesus says, “Follow Me; obey Me; do My will." The whole experience may be summed up in Jesus’ prayer, “Not as / will, but as Thou wilt.” Matthew 26:39.
The Apostle Paul later expressed the same truth in these beautiful words, '7 have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer i who live, but Christ who lives in me. ” Galatians 2: 20.
Jesus continued by stating a great paradox: “For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake, he will save it. ” Luke 9:24.
Some things are lost by keeping them, and saved by throwing them away. Grain kept in a bin will rot. But if it is thrown into the ground and buried, it will bring forth a harvest.
By being saved it dies. By being thrown out it lives.
The one whose only aim is to preserve his own comfort and happiness will lose the meaning of life. But the one who throws his life away in service for others will find abundant living now and eternal life hereafter.
But Jesus did not stop at the picture of the cross, with its self-denial and suffering. He drew another picture showing the glory that would follow.
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works. ” Matthew 16: 27, K.J.V. First must come the shame, and then will come the glory. First the toil, and then the reward.
First the cross, and then the crown.
To encourage His disciples, Jesus promised, 'Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom. ” Matthew 16:28. Right in that little group were some who would soon see the glory of Christ’s kingdom!
But the disciples had now lost sight of the glory and could see only the gloom. They were unwilling to follow Jesus down the road of suffering and self-denial to the cross. Depressed, they followed Him from a distance, hardly speaking to Him or to each other. Jesus walked in loneliness, grieved at their grief. Six miserable days passed by.
2 A View of the Glory
(Based on Matthew 17:1-8;
Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36)
Then one evening Jesus called Peter, James, and John to climb up the slopes of a high mountain. Above them the snowy peaks glowed pink in the light of the setting sun, while darkness overflowed the valleys below. Soon the flood of darkness covered even the mountain tops, leaving the men in gloom. Jesus told them they need go no farther, and went a little distance away to pray.
Bowing to the ground, He poured out His heart to God with strong crying and tears. It was hard to walk down the road to suffering and death, and harder still to take His men down that road with Him. What they needed, He knew, was a vision of the glory of the cross. They needed to know that through His shameful death, millions would find eternal salvation. Jesus ever had the two views before Him: the shameful death and the glorious results of His death. It was “the joy that was set before Him” — the joy of saving lost men — that gave Him the courage to endure the cross, depising the shame. Hebrews 12:2.
It was wrong for the disciples to expect the crown without the cross.
It was equally wrong for them to view the shame without seeing the glory. Jesus wanted them to see His body glorified before they saw it crucified. He wanted them to have a memory of Him so glorious that it would illuminate the darkness of the cross. Then when they looked up at His mangled body, they would see, not a human being dying in defeat, but the divine Son of God giving His life for the salvation of the world. His crucifixion would not kill their faith but confirm it.
“Father, I desire that these men whom Thou hast given Me may behold My glory which I had with Thee before the world was made,” He prayed.
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God heard the prayer of His Son. While He was bowed in lowliness upon the stony ground, suddenly the heavens opened, and holy radiance descended upon the mount, enshrouding the Savior’s form. Divinity from within flashed through humanity, and met the glory coming from above. Arising from His prostrate position, Christ stood in Godlike majesty. The soul agony was gone. His countenance shone “as the sun,” and His garments were “white as the light.”
The disciples, awaking, beheld the flood of glory that illuminated the mount. In fear and amazement they gazed upon the radiant form of their Master. As they became able to endure the wondrous light, they saw that Jesus was not alone. Beside Him were two heavenly beings, in close converse with Him; Moses, who had been resurrected from the dead and taken to heaven, and Elijah, who had been taken to heaven in a fiery chariot without seeing death. Jude 9; 2 Kings 2:11.
In the glorious scene before them, the three disciples saw a miniature representation of Christ’s kingdom of glory. They even hoped that Elijah would announce the setting up of the kingdom right then. They wished to banish forever the memory of their fear and disappointment. Peter’s response to the cross was still, “God forbid, Lord!” But when he saw the glory, he exclaimed, “Lord, it is good that we are here!” He wanted the kingdom, but not the cross.
But if he had listened to the conversation of Jesus with the two saints, he would have heard them talking, not about Christ’s inauguration as king, but about His “departure, which He was to accomplish at Jerusalem. ”
Luke 9:31. Jesus had called Moses and Elijah to strengthen Him to face His approaching death.
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Jesus walked on earth as the Lonely One, with no one to comfort Him, because no one understood Him. Now heaven sent messengers to bring comfort - not angels, but men who had also walked the earth in loneliness. Both men had stood alone as God’s representatives to the rebellious nation of Israel. Both were maligned and hated by their own people. Moses^had lain down alone on a mountain to die.
Elijah had bowed down alone in a cave, wishing he might die. These men were able to comfort Jesus, because they had tasted His sufferings. They were able to encourage Him to face death, because they were the first of a great harvest of souls to be saved by His death.
If the disciples had listened to the conversation between Christ and the heavenly messengers, they would have had a clear view of the cross and the glory that would follow. But they were too drowsy to pay close attention. For them the cross and the glory were two opposite pictures which they were never be able to reconcile until after Christ rose from the dead.
At the end of the interview, the Father Himself came down upon the mount in a cloud of glory. The disciples fell to their faces as they heard Him speak the words: "This is My beloved Son, with whom / am well pleased; listen to Him. ” Matthew 17:5.
The cloud settled right over the disciples and enveloped them with its brightness. Jesus had brought Peter, James, and John into the fellowship of His glory so that later they might share with Him in a special way the fellowship of His sufferings.
The men remained prostrate until Jesus came near and touched them. “Rise up! Don’t be afraid!” He said tenderly. Looking up, they saw that Moses and Elijah were gone, and the glory had faded away. They were alone on the mountain with Jesus.
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3 A View of the World's Need
(Based on Matthew 17:14-21;
Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43)
The disciples would like to have remained on that holy mountain, where glory streamed from the gates of heaven, and God came near. But Jesus led them back down into the valley where the people were. He spent His time between the mountain of prayer and the valley of service, and He led His followers to do the same. He had shown His disciples the cross and the glory. Now He had one more picture to present to them: the world’s need.
What they saw in the valley contrasted painfully with what they had seen in the mount. At the foot of the mountain was a sorry cross section of humanity: sneering scribes, chagrined disciples, a desperate father, and a suffering boy.
The father had brought his epileptic boy to the other nine disciples to be healed; and they had commanded the evil spirit to come out, as Jesus had given them authority to do. But the demon had only mocked them with a
fresh display of its power. The scribes jeered. “Here is a spirit neither you nor your Master can cast out,” they taunted. The disciples were mortified. The father wrung his hands in anguish.
As Jesus approached, the crowd came running to Him. The father cried out, “Master, look at my son, / implore you, my only child! From time to time a spirit seizes him, gives a sudden scream, and throws him into convulsions with foaming at the mouth, and it keeps on mauling him and will hardly let him go. I asked Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." Luke 9:38-40, N.E.B.
Jesus requested to see the boy, and he was brought forward, still thrashing about in a convulsion.
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ADVENTIST HERITAGE CENTTER James White Ubrary
Peter, James, and John saw before them the third picture Jesus wanted them to consider. There stood the only Son of the divine Father, meeting an only son of a human father. Just a few hours before, in the glorified body of Christ, they had seen humanity exalted to its highest. Now, in the tortured body of the boy, they saw represented all of suffering humanity, sunk to its lowest. In the cry of the father, they heard the cry of the whole human race: “Lord, have mercy! We are beaten, bleeding, and bruised by the evil one, and there is no one on earth who can deliver!”
For a few minutes that seemed to the father like an eternity, the boy, face distorted with pain, foamed at the mouth and wallowed in the dirt. Finally the father could endure the sight no longer. “If You can do any-thing, have pity on us and help us!” he begged. Mark 9:22.
Jesus answered him, “if you can!
AH things are possible to him who believes!”
Afraid that his lack of faith might cost the life of his son, the father burst into tears. “Lord, I believe;” he sobbed. “help my unbelief!”
As his feeble faith touched the source of strength, divine power and love came surging through. " you dumb and deaf spirit,' ” Jesus cried,
" 7 command you, come out of him, and never enter him again. ’ And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse; so that most of them said,
*He is dead.' But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.” Mark 9:25-27.
Jesus lifted the boy up to health and strength and sanity. And in the lifting up of that boy, the disciples could see God’s plan to lift up the human race. But God’s plan did not stop there.
Christ’s glorified body, shining brighter than the sun, was a picture of what each child of humanity might become through His saving power.
Jesus promised to “change our lowly body to be like His glorious body. ” Philippians 3:21.
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\\W/^
The disciples were not yet prepared to take up the cross. But after their Master led the way, they followed. James was the first to die a martyr's death, beheaded by the sword of Herod Agrippa. When Peter was an old man, his hands were stretched out on a cross by order of the emperor Nero. John lived on long after his friends had lain down their lives, finally dying a lonely exile on the Isle of Patmos. All of them endured the cross and despised the shame, considering that the " the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ” Romans 8:18.
* * *
“The plan of redemption was laid in sacrifice — a sacrifice so broad and deep and high that it is immeasurable. Christ gave all for us, and those who receive Christ will be ready to sacrifice all for the sake of their Redeemer______
“If we love Jesus, we shall love to live for Him, to present our thank-offerings to Him, to labor for Him. The very labor will be light. For His sake we shall covet pain and toil and sacrifice. We shall sympathize with His longing for the salvation of men. We shall feel the same tender craving for souls that He has felt.” White, Christ's Object Lessons, pages 49 and 50.
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Lesson 16	Summary Sheet	Registration No.______
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	Why couldn’t the disciples understand that Jesus must die on the cross?
A They had the fixed idea that He would be crowned king.
B Nowhere in their thinking was there room for a cross.
C	Jesus never told them in plain words that He would die.
D	Their minds were closed to truth.	(Section 1)
2.	On what occasions was Jesus tempted to avoid the cross?
A In the “wilderness of fasting” when Satan offered Him the kingdoms of the world.
B In the “wilderness of feasting” when the crowd tried to make Him king.
C In Caesarea Philippi when Peter said, “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to You!”
D On the mountain of glory, when Jesus stood in kingly splendor.	(Section 1)
3.	What does it mean to take up the cross and follow Jesus?
A To have a trial or sickness that is hard to bear.
B To make the commitment: “Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”
C To crucify self — die to self.
D	To surrender the will to Christ.	(Section 1)
4.	What is the secret of living a full and happy life?
A Lose your life for Christ’s sake.
B Seek your own comfort and happiness.
C Throw your life into service for others.
D	Die to self and live for Christ.	(Section 1) 5
5.	What was the purpose of the experience on the mount?
A To prepare the disciples for the cross by confirming their faith that Jesus was the divine Son of God.
B To let the disciples see Jesus’ body glorified before they saw it crucified.
C	To prove to the world that Jesus was the Son of God.
D	To bring Moses and Elijah down to strengthen Jesus to
face death.	(Section 2)
6.	What was the meaning of the experience in the valley?
A This difficult experience shows that it is better to stay in the “mountain of prayer” than to go down to the “valley of service.”
B The tortured body of the boy represented suffering humanity sunk to its lowest.
C The father showed that even feeble faith touching God can bring His power surging through.
D The lifting up of the demoniac boy shows God’s plan to lift up the fallen human race.	(Section 3)
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LIGHT OF THE WORLD-17
LOST AND FOUND
(Based on Luke 15)
As tax-collectors and sinners flocked around Jesus, the Pharisees stood by and sneered, “This man welcomes sinners and even eats with them!”
They were amazed that the “scum” of society-harlots, drunkards, and tax-collectors, could enjoy being with Jesus, when they felt condemned by His presence. To save face for themselves, they insinuated that Jesus was an immoral person, since He enjoyed being with immoral people.
Jesus did not answer His critics directly: to do so would only antagonize them. Instead He disarmed them by telling stories, leaving them to make their own applications.
1 The Lost Sheep
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them — what does he do? He leaves the ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and goes looking for the lost sheep until he finds it.
When he finds it, he is so happy that he puts it on his shoulders, carries it hack home, and calls his friends and neighbors together. ‘Rejoice with me,’ he tells them, ‘for / have found my lost sheep!’ In the same way, / tell you, there will be more joy in heaven
over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent. ” Verses 4-7, T.E.V.
The Pharisees could not appreciate the worth of a person, but they knew the worth of a sheep. A sheep was valuable for its wool or its meat, or for offering as a sacrifice. To lose one would be a financial loss. This they could understand.
The shepherd of Palestine had a hard life, leading his flocks far to find pasturage, spending sleepless nights guarding them from wild beasts and robbers. The country was rugged, witl many dangerous ravines in which the sheep could fall, or wander and get lost. The good shepherd often risked his life trying to rescue them.
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Every night the shepherd counts his sheep to make sure they are all there. One night he discovers one is missing. He knows that the lost sheep cannot find his way back. If left to himself, he will wander until he is caught by a wild beast, or falls down a cliff, or starves to death.
The shepherd is tired after a hard day’s work. The sun has set, and the way is full of dangerous chasms. Hyenas howl in the distance. But he ignores the dangers as he sets out to find the lost sheep. Mile after mile he trudges over the route he followed that day, calling as he goes. Finally he hears a faint cry in the distance. Following the sound, he finds his sheep, wounded and bleeding, caught in a crevice where he has fallen. Gently he lifts the trembling creature to his shoulders, speaking kindly all the while. He does not scold the wayward sheep for all the trouble he has caused him. He does not drive him back or even try to lead him back. He carries him all the way, forgetting his aching muscles in the joy of recovery.
The people of the town are concerned that their shepherd, the keeper of the village flocks, is out so late.
They wait and watch for him. When he finally staggers in with the lost sheep on his shoulders, they shout for joy. And from that day on, the sheep that was lost stays closer to the shepherd than ever before. He can never forget that terrifying night alone in the wilderness, or his joy when the shepherd found him.
* * *
You who have wandered away from God’s flock, the Shepherd is out looking for you tonight. Perhaps you never intended to get lost. You just moved away from God’s church, or got a job working on His holy day, or fell into temptation. Now you find yourself out in the wilderness, alone and frightened, and far from God. But He is nearer than you think. One call will bring Him to your side. If you will let Him carry you back to the fold, all the angels of heaven will shout for joy.
2 The Lost Coin
Jesus continued with another story.
"Suppose a woman who has ten silver coins loses one of them — what does she do? She lights a lamp, sweeps her house, and looks carefully everywhere until she finds it. When she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together. 'Rejoice with me,' she tells them, 'for / have found the coin I lostV In the same way, / tell you, the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents. ” Verses 8-10, T.E.V.
The Pharisees could not appreciate the worth of a person, but they knew the value of money. Perhaps they could understand how a poor woman might feel if she lost one of the ten coins in her dowry chain which she wore in her hair to show she was married. These coins were so precious that they were never spent, but were passed on from mother to daughter. The loss of even one was a real calamity.
In a poor house of Palestine, a lost coin was not easy to find. The dirt Floor, covered with rushes, was rarely swept; so it accumulated much dirt ind trash. There was only one small window to let in the light. To find the ost coin, the woman must light a lamp to illuminate the dingy room, and sweep the floor thoroughly. Suddenly she sees a glint in the rubbish — her lost ;pin. She calls in the neighbor women o rejoice with her.
The coin, though lying in the rubbish, is a piece of silver still. It has value. It bears the image of the ruling monarch, though that image may be worn. More precious than silver or gold is the lost soul. Though degraded by sin, he still bears the image of his Maker. He must be sought for and lifted up to his exalted position.
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3 The Lost Boy
The coin does not know it is lost.
It does not know that it has value, and that it bears the image of the king. It does not know it can be lifted up and set into a crown for its owner. In the world are billions who do not know that they are sons and daughters of God, made in His image, exceedingly precious to Him. They must be sought for and found.
* * *
You who never knew that you were God’s child, that you were lost, and that God had a plan to save you-God is looking for you today. He has lighted the candle of truth to illuminate the darkness, and in that light you shine as a precious piece of silver.
If you will let Him find you and keep you, all the angels of heaven will rejoice.
The Pharisees could understand the worth of a sheep and the worth of a coin. People were not worth as much to them, especially sinful people. But their own children were precious to them. Maybe they could understand the worth of a son.
With that hope, Jesus told His most beautiful story. “There was a man who had two sons, ” He said, “and the younger of them said to his father,
'Father; give me the share of property that falls to me. ’ And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. Verses 11-13.
The boy was not satisfied with life on the farm. He could no longer appreciate the simple joys of life — a newly-plowed field, mother’s home cooking, fresh country air, green hills and tall trees and wide open spaces.
He had seen the bright lights of the city, with its theaters, dance halls, and bars. He wanted freedom to live his own life.
So he came to his father with the heartless request: “I can’t wait until you die, father. Give me my share of the inheritance right now. I want to go away and live my own life.”
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There comes a time when a young man must make his own decisions. His own father cannot save him from his choice and the consequences of it.
Only a few people can learn from the mistakes of others. The rest must learn by their own mistakes. The father realized that his son would have to learn the hard way.
With a heavy heart he divided up his estate, giving two-thirds (a double portion) to the older son, and one-third to the younger. Then he watched while his younger son took everything he had just received, converted it into cash, and strode off down the road to find his own life.
Gloom settled over the home as the father grieved over his son. But he never gave up hope that some day his boy would return. Often there was a faraway look in his eyes, as he imagined his son coming down the road toward home.
The boy had no thought for father or home. He was relieved to get away from the restrictions of home life. “No more work! No more sweat! No more getting up early in the morning! No more nagging, ‘Don’t do this, don’t do that!’ I’m free! I can live my own life! After all, my life is my own,’’ he reasoned. “I can do what I like with it. It’s no one else’s business how I live!”
How wrong he was! His life was not his own. Already he had caused pain to all who loved him. His money was not his own. It was his father’s hard-earned money that he planned to squander.
He had no right to demand the privileges of a son without accepting the responsibilities.
At first life in the city was exciting. “Man, I’m really living!” he thought. Then, as the life began to pall, he drowned his boredom in more riotous living, more dependence on the bottle.
A group of “friends” gathered around him, eager to help him spend his money.
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ADVENTIST
After several years his money was gone. Then his friends refused to pay for his drinks as he had paid for theirs. The bar girls had no further interest in him. Soon the proprietor kicked him out.
Now he was out in the street with no place to live, nothing with which to satisfy his hunger. An idea came to his befuddled mind (one he had not thought of for a long time): “if you want to eat, you have to work.” He decided to go job hunting. But everywhere he went he found a long line of men ahead of him. There was a famine in the land and many men were looking for work. But few people were hiring, and he had no skills to offer. Finally he left the city and begged a farmer to take him on. “I am willing to do anything!”
He soon found himself taking care of pigs, shoveling out husks for them to eat. Pay-day was not until the end of the week, and he was ravenously
hungry. He wished he could eat the husks the hogs ate.
Then, sitting among the pigs, he began to do some hard thinking. “I’m as low as I can get — a Jew taking care of pigs! And this farmer doesn’t even give me anything to eat! In my father’s house even the day-laborers got plenty to eat. I’d be better off as a day-laborer on my fathér’s farm than I am here!”
He looked at himself and began to weep — clothes in tatters, body thin and gaunt, mind weakened, the precious years of youth all wasted. “Dad would never accept me as his son, i know. But I'll go to him and say, 'Father, / have sinned against God and against you. i am no longer fit to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired workers.’ ’ Verse 18, T.E.V.
With that he rose, left the pigs, and started down the long road toward home.
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While he was still a long way down the road, his father saw him. He had been looking down that road a dozen times a day. Somehow, in that shabby wreck of a man, he recognized his son. Joyfully he ran down the road, threw his arms around his son, and smothered him with kisses. The son tried to make his speech: “Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son ... ” But the father did not let him finish.
He threw his own rich mantle around the son so no one would see his shame, and led him home. Then he issued a spate of commands to the servants: “Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found.n Verses 22-24.
Without hesitation, the father reinstated his son in his former position. The robe stood for honor, the signet ring for authority, the shoes for sonship (slaves went barefoot). Right away the servants waited on him as they had before. The calf that had long been fattening for this occasion was killed, and a great feast was prepared, with hired musicians coming in to play.
The son was dazed by the sudden change in his fortunes. Just a few days before he had been the lowest kind of servant; now he was a master of servants. He had been hungry for husks; now he was feasting on the fatted calf. He had been barefoot and ragged; now he was arrayed in rich clothing. He had been friendless and alone; now he was the center of affection in his father’s big household.
* * *
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You who haVe rebelled against your Father, you who have gone to a far-away country to get away from Him, you who have squandered His gifts of health and intellect and property to live a life of sin: your Father is looking down the road, longing for your return. He knows the emptiness of your life: He knows you art feeding on husks. He wants to satisfy you with His love, to fold you in Hik arms, to reinstate you as His child, to rejoice over you with joy. All you need to do is to start down the road toward home, confessing, "Father, I have sinned.n
But do not be discouraged if some older brother refuses to welcome you back. There usually is an older brother waiting to condemn and criticize. There was in Jesus’ story.
Glancing at the Pharisees, Jesus continued: "The older son, in the meantime, was out in the field. On his way back, when he came dose to the house, he heard the music and the dancing. He called one of the servants and asked him, 'What's going onV
" ' Your brother came back home, ’ the servant answered, *and your father killed the prize calf, because he got him back safe and sound.' ” Verses 25-27, T.E.V.
The older brother was so angry that he wodld not go into the house. His brother’s return was a threat to him. “He has spent all his own inheritance, and now he’s coming home to get mine,’’ he thought.
The father came out and pleaded with his son to join in the festivities.
But he answered, “Look, all these years / Have worked like a slave for you, bnd not once did I disobey an order of yours. What have you given me? Not even a goat for me to have a feast with my friends! But his son of yours wasted all your property on prostitutes, and when he comes back home you kill the prize calf for him!” Verses 29 and 30, T.E.V.
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The father reminded him of an important fact. “My son, everything I have is yours! Have you forgotten that I have already given you the estate? Why should you act like a slave when you are the joint-owner of the business?” (Jesus thought of the Pharisees, slaving to keep the minutest laws in order to earn their way to heaven, when He offered them salvation, full and free.)
“We had to have a feast and be happy, ” the father continued, "for your brother (not just my son, as you call him) was dead\ but now he is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found!” Verse 32. T.E.V.
In a masterful way Jesus answered the charge of the Pharisees. He opened before them the wonders of redeeming love as men had never seen it before.
He showed that God does not sit back waiting for the sinner to come to Him. He goes out looking for him.
God is like a shepherd, out on the hills at night, looking for His lost sheep.
God is like a woman searching diligently for her lost coin. God is like a father, running down the road to welcome his lost son.
But Jesus’ words have another meaning.
Maybe you were once lost in the wilderness but the Shepherd found you and brought you back to the fold. Now He wants you to be a shepherd, braving hardships to bring back other lost sheep. Maybe you once were lost in some dark corner, when someone found you and lifted you up. Now God wants you to seek and find other precious coins lying in the dark. Maybe you once rebelled against your Father, running off to a far country where you lived on the empty husks of worldly pleasure; but the Father put His arms about you and welcomed you back home. Now He wants you to be a father, a mother, to other rebellious sons and daughters, and welcome them home.
Then you will share heaven’s joy, rejoicing with the angels over one sinner who repents.
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‘7 am the light of the world” — Jesus Christ
Lesson 17	Summary Sheet Registration No.—
Directions: In the following questions (except No. 3) three of the four responses are correct. Gircle each correct response.
1.	Why did Jesus associate with tax-collectors and sinners?
A He felt most comfortable in the companionship of sinners. B He appreciated the worth of every human being.
C	He was like a shepherd seeking	the lost sheep.
D	He knew of the joy in heaven over one sinner who
repents.	(Section 1)
2.	When the shepherd finds the lost sheep, how does he treat it?
A He speaks kindly to it.
B	He does not scold it for all the	trouble it has caused him.
C	He docs not drive it home.
D Gently he leads it back to the fold. (Section 1)
3.	Matching. What is the meaning of the symbols? 4
The Symbols	The Meanings
The lost sheep	1. The one who rebels against
	God.
The lost coin	2. The one who wanders
	away from God.
The lost boy	3. The one who never knew
	God.
4.	What does the experience of the lost boy teach us about ourselves?
A We are often unhappy with life’s simple joys and want the pleasures of the world.
B We can’t always learn by the mistakes of others — we have to learn by hard experience.
C We can get along quite well in life without God.
D We have a limited idea of God’s love and forgiveness.
(Section 3)
5.	What does the father in the story teach us about God?
A God often lets us have our own way — and suffer the consequences.
B Our Heavenly Father grieves when we run away from Him. C	He sits down and waits for the sinner to come back to Him.
D	He freely forgives the past and treats us infinitely better
than we deserve.
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Full Address..............................................................
City.........................Postal Zone............State.................
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
(Do not return your lesson booklets; they are yours to keep. Send only the Summary Sheets. They will be checked and promptly returned to you with your next lessons.)
LIGHT OF THE WORLD -18
Jesus had no home of His own, no place to lay His head. But every time He came to Bethany, He could be sure of a welcome in the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.
1 The Family of Bethany (Based on Luke 10:38-42)
Martha, the big sister of the family, was an excellent hostess, and loved nothing better than a houseful of guests. But entertaining Jesus and His twelve men was quite a task: it meant setting the table for at least sixteen people. Once when Martha was rushing around, putting the final touches on one of her superb dinners, she noticed that Mary had deserted her. Finding her settled comfortably at J esus’ feet, she got upset with both of them.
“Lord, don't You mind that my sister has left me to do everything by myself?” she fumed. "Tell her to get up and help me!”
Jesus calmed her down. “Martha, my dear, you are worried and bothered about providing so many things. Only a few things are really needed, perhaps only one. Mary has chosen the best part and you must not tear it away from her!” Verses 40 and 41, Phi.
Jesus would have been satisfied with just “a few things” — bread and fish, for instance; but the one thing He wanted most was a receptive heart.
For anyone who would entertain Jesus must be entertained by Him; anyone who would be His hostess must also be His guest. Jesus wished that Martha would take time to sit at His feet and drink in His love and patience; then she would be ready to face life’s tensions.
With this intimate peek into the home of Bethany, we catch a typical view of the two sisters: Martha, frank and outspoken, rushing about in a flurry of activity; Mary, pensive and quiet, sitting at the feet of Jesus, looking adoringly into His face.
There was a reason why she loved Him so.
For this little family, twice broken up by death, was twice reunited by the power of Jesus Christ. Through this family Jesus gave two of the mightiest demonstrations of His resurrection power.
(Based on John 11)
One day Lazarus, the beloved brother of the family, was stricken with a sudden, violent illness. Knowing of the miraculous power of Jesus, the sisters were not overly disturbed. They sent a messenger to Him with the simple note: “Lord, your dear friend is sick. ” Verse 3, T.E.V. They did not urge immediate action. It was enough for Him to know. He would do what was best.
Jesus had gone to Perea on the other side of Jordan, because the Jews of Jerusalem had tried to stone Him. The sisters waited anxiously for the messenger to make the twenty-five-mile trip and return. As Lazarus’ sufferings increased, they comforted him with the word that the Great Physician would soon be there.
They were disappointed when the messenger came back alone. But he brought the encouraging message:
“This sickness will not end in death; it has come for the glory of God, to bring glory to the Son of God. ”
Verse 4, N.E.B.
The sisters took this to mean that Lazarus would not die. But not long after, while they were watching by his bedside, he gasped for breath and then lay still. “No, it cannot be!’’ they exclaimed in astonishment. “Jesus said he would not die!” But there was no pulse, no breath. Lazarus was dead.
The sisters were dazed with shock. There was no time to weep: in that hot climate, burial had to follow death by a few hours. Mechanically they made the funeral arrangements, Martha taking control with her usual efficiency. They seemed to be walking about in a dream. Not until the stone was rolled across the cave, shutting them out from the brother they loved, did reality hit them. The numbness was gone: now they felt all the agony of separation.
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Hundreds of people came to comfort the sisters, for the Jews considered it a sacred duty to comfort the sorrowing. The house bustled with activity as neighbors brought over food, reversed the furniture, and wailed hysterically, according to Jewish custom. Day after day this heavy mourning continued.
All this time these questions were repeated over and over in the minds of the sisters: Why hadn’t Jesus come? Why hadn’t He saved Lazarus? Why didn’t He come then and comfort them?
From his station across the river, Jesus felt every pain that tore the hearts of the sisters. He understood their grief and their questionings. He had tried to tell them the secret of His plan for them, but they had not understood it. He had deliberately stayed away, He had permitted Lazarus to die, so that for them He could perform His greatest miracle.
Jesus had raised people to life before; but because they had been dead only a short time, many argued that they had not really died. Now He must demonstrate that He could raise a man who was truly dead, a man whose body had begun to decay. He must give His stubborn nation over-whelming evidence that He was the Son of God. That is why He stayed away so long.
On the fourth day after Lazarus had died, Jesus finally arrived in Bethany. Waiting in a secluded spot beside the road, He sent word ahead that He had come. Martha slipped out of the house to meet Him.
Sadly, almost reproachfully, she spoke. “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. ”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again. ”
Martha answered, '7 know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. ”
Then Jesus stated the majestic truth: “i am the resurrection and the life.” Before her stood the Life-giver, the One who had the keys of Death and of Hades, the One who would soon enter the grave Himself and rob it of its terrors.
Jesus continued: “He who believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She answered, “Yes, Lord; / believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Verses 21-27.
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Then she ran home to call Mary.
Eagerly Mary ran out to meet Jesus. Thinking that she was going to the grave, a number of the mourners followed her. When Mary looked into the face of Jesus, she saw the same tender love that had always been there. Overcome, she fell down before Him.
At the feet of Jesus — her special place — there she could unburden her sorrows, and there she could find comfort. “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died\ ” she wept.
Jesus looked at Mary, weeping at His feet, and in her sorrow He felt the anguish of all mankind in the face of death. Jesus was not an outsider offering His sympathies to the mourner: He was a fellow-sufferer, tasting of death for every man. For a while He was so overcome by emotion that He wept uncontrollably.
Finally He spoke. " Where have you laid him?”
The people with Mary answered, “Lord, come and see.n And they led Him to the cave where Lazarus lay buried. By this time a large company of mourners had gathered at the tomb, wondering what Jesus would do.
“Take away the stone, ” He commanded.
Martha objected. “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days. ” Nobody could say that Lazarus was not dead.
So they rolled away the stone, exposing Lazarus, wrapped up in his funeral shroud.
Then Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “I thank You, Father, that You listen to Me. / know that You always listen to Me, but / say this because of the people here, so they will believe that You sent Me. ”
Would God hear Him? This was the test. Either Jesus was the Son of God, or He was an imposter. There was no room for trickery. The demonstration was in broad daylight, before a host of witnesses. Every eye was focused on the tomb. Every ear was alert to the slightest sound.
Suddenly Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
There was a stir in the silent tomb, and a ghost-like figure stood at the door.
“Loose him and let him goI” Jesus commanded.
With trembling hands they removed the ghostly shroud, and there stood Lazarus, in the prime of health, eyes beaming with love for his Savior.
For moment the crowd was speechless with amazement. Then with cries of joy the family and friends welcomed Lazarus back from the dead.
But in that crowd were bitter enemies of Jesus. Since Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, they soon brought word to the chief priests of this new development. Immediately the Council was called into session.
The leaders of the nation agreed that Jesus must be stopped, or He would win the whole nation to His side. They resolved to put Christ to death at the first favorable opportunity.
For the next few weeks, Jesus no longer walked openly, but withdrew to the desert with His disciples. His act in raising Lazarus had sealed His doom. Because He had let a man out of the tomb, it was decreed that He must go into the tomb. Little did the priests imagine that Lazarus1 resurrection was but a preview of Christ’s resurrection, when the One they hated would march triumphantly out of the tomb to judge them for their crime.
ADVENTIST
HERITAGE CENT®|
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> Ine Dï'.id Wunw; Who Came to Life (Based on Matthew 26:6-16;
Mark 14:3-11; John 12:1-11;
Luke 7:36-50)
Passover time was coming, the special Passover when the Lamb of God must be slain. Jesus returned to Jerusalem to meet His destiny.
His friends in nearby Bethany decided to put on a dinner in His honor. It was held on Sabbath, six days before the Passover, in the home of Simon the Pharisee. Jesus and Lazarus sat in the places of honor. Martha, in her usual role, was waiting on table, while Mary found her favorite place at the feet of Jesus.
Without knQwing why, Mary had bought a very expensive gift for Jesus, a pound of spikenard ointment in a beautiful alabaster bottle. It was a gift from her heart, an emblem of her love, which she desired to pour out on Him. While no one was watching, she broke the narrow neck of the bottle so that the fragrant ointment would come out, not drop by drop, but as freely as her love. First she poured it on the head of Jesus, and then on His feet. Then suddenly another bottle broke — the bottle of her restraint — and her tears flowed freely on the feet of Jesus. Embarrassed, she wiped them away with her long, flowing hair.
Why this tremendous outpouring of love? Because Jesus had raised her brother to life: He had brought Lazarus back to fill the empty place in the family circle and in their hearts. That was one reason. But why the tremendous outpouring of tears? Ah, there had been another death in the family, another empty place in the family circle, and Jesus had restored that one to life also. That one was none other than Mary herself.
There was a chapter in Mary’s history so dark that she shuddered to think of it: the awful shame she had felt after being led into sin, her leaving home to avoid bringing disgrace on the family, her years of isolation in faraway Magdala by Galilee.* Alone, without support, she had turned to “woman’s oldest profession” to earn a living. She had sunk rapidly into degradation, becoming completely abandoned to a life of sin. Soon an evil power took possession of her, and she lost her reason. Cut off from her family, despised as a notorious sinner, she had no one to turn to for help. Her experience was a living death — more horrible than death.
And then, in her isolation and wretchedness, Jesus had found her.
She could never forget that meeting. “Seven times she had heard His rebuke of the demons that controlled her heart and mind. She had heard His strong cries to the Father in her behalf.” (White, Desire of Ages, page 568) Through His resurrection power, Jesus had raised her up to a new life.
For a while, she and some other women whom Jesus had also healed, followed Him about in His Galilean journeys. Luke 8:1-3. Then Jesus restored her to her family, where she was welcomed as one come back from the dead. When Jesus visited that home, it is no wonder that Martha made a big dinner for Him, and that Mary sat worshipfully at His feet. Luke 10:38-42.
In Mary’s eyes, nothing was too precious for Jesus. She poured out her most expensive gift on Him. She poured out her tears on Him. She poured out her love on Him. Forever she wanted to stay at His feet. She stood by His feet at the cross, and she was the first to fall in adoration at His feet in the resurrection.
The perfume that Mary had poured out filled the whole room with its fragrance. The guests looked to see where it came from. There, at Jesus’ feet, they saw Mary weeping and wiping His feet with her hair.
Simon, the host, was disgusted. “He must not know that that woman is a sinner,” he thought.
♦This writer takes the position that Mary of Bethany was identical with the unnamed sinful woman in Luke’s account (Luke 7: 36-50), and also Mary Magdalene (Luke 8: 1-3).
Judas also was disgusted. “Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” he asked. He would have loved to lay hands on that three hundred denarii (a year's wages for a laboring man) because he kept the money bag for the disciples, and much of the contents went into his own pocket.
The other disciples seconded Judas’ opinion. “What a waste! What extravagance!” they exclaimed. Mary blushed for shame.
But Jesus came to her defense.
“Leave her alone! why are you bothering her?” He asked. “She has done a fine and beautiful thing for Me. You will always have poor people with you, and any time you want to, you can help them. But I shall not be with you always.” Mark 14:6, 7, T.E.V.
Only six days remained for them to show their love for Him.
(Stung by this rebuke, J udas went out that very night and covenanted with the priests to betray His Master for thirty pieces of silver. Thus Jesus’ two mightiest miracles, for Lazarus and for Mary, united His enemies against Him and led Him to the cross.)
Mary had not realized the significance of her act, but Jesus explained what it meant: “She has anointed My body beforehand for burying. ” In just a few more days, Jesus’ wealthy friends would pour out their ointments and tears and words of love on His dead body, when He could no longer see or hear or respond to their love.
But now, while His aching heart longed for appreciation from the unworthy souls for whom He was sacrificing His life, Mary had let Him know that she loved Him. And yet the disciples called it a waste — a gift for Jesus, a waste! How little they realized the debt of love they owed Him!
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Mary's gift was a symbol of Jesus' gift of love to the whole world. As the broken bottle filled the room with fragrance, so His broken body filled the world with the fragrance of divine love. As her gift was costly, so His was the costliest gift heaven could give — the life of God's beloved Son. As her gift appeared to be a waste, so also did His. His gift paid the price of salvation for the whole world, yet but few would be saved by it. His gift, like hers, was not stinted and small, but overflowing and abundant — not just enough for the exact number to be saved, but for the whole world. For most of humanity, the gift was a waste — the greatest extravagance in history.
But true love is not measured, drop by drop. True love is poured out freely, with nothing held back. And as Jesus considered all the Marys who would be raised from sin, and all the Lazaruses who would be raised from the grave as a result of His sacrifice, He knew that it was abundantly worthwhile.
* * *
Lord Jesus, I too was dead in sin, and You raised me up to newness of life. Have I ever thanked You? Have I ever told You that I love You? Oh Savior, here at Your feet right now I pour out my love and gratitude.
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‘7 am the light of the world"
— Jesus Christ
Lesson 18	Summary Sheet	Registration No._
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	Jesus showed His resurrection power by
A raising Lazarus from the dead.
B lifting Mary from a life of sin to a life of love.
C transforming the hearts of His enemies.
D robbing the grave of its terrors.
2.	What were Martha’s good points?
A	She was	hospitable.
B	She was	a good cook.
C	She was	an efficient organizer.
D	She was	calm and patient.
3.	We see Mary at the feet of Jesus (her favorite place)
A when her sister was preparing dinner.
B when she poured ointment on Jesus’ feet.
C on the day that Lazarus died.
D at the cross of Christ.
4.	Jesus permitted Lazarus to die because
A He was too busy to come at that time.
B He wanted to perform His greatest miracle for the family at Bethany.
C He wanted to bring glory to God.
D He wanted to give the Jews indisputable evidence that He was the Son of God.	(Section 2)
5.	What is Jesus’ attitude toward human suffering?
A He comes close to those who mourn.
B He weeps with those who weep.
C As an outsider, He cannot really feel the depths of human sorrow.
D As a sympathizer, He comforts the sorrowing with the hope of the resurrection.	(Section 2) 6
6.	What are some meanings of Mary’s gift?
A The broken bottle represents Christ’s broken body.
B The fragrance filling the room represents the fragrance of Christ’s love filling the world.
C The small size of Mary’s gift represents the limitations of Christ’s gift of salvation — just enough for those who are saved.
D The costliness of Mary's gift represents the costliest gift heaven could give — God’s Son.	(Last page)
7.	If we love Jesus, we should
A express our love to Him.
B be constantly active in service to Him.
C give sacrificial gifts to Him.
D take time to sit at His feet and commune with Him.
Your response (not graded):
1. Mark the statements that express your feelings:
A I never think much about death.
B I am afraid of death.
C	I wish I could believe in life beyond the grave.
D	I am thankful that Jesus has “the keys of Death and of Hades.”
E I have faith in the resurrection power of Jesus.
Other:
2. Which of these statements express your feelings?
A I am quite satisfied with my life.
B I acknowledge that I am a sinner.
C I think I can straighten out my own life.
D	I have struggled in vain to overcome sin.
E	I need a power outside of myself in order to overcome.
F I want to experience the “resurrection power” of Jesus in my life.
G I am walking with Jesus in “newness of life.”
The Apostle Paul said: “All I want is to know Christ and experience the power of His resurrection... in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life.” Philippians 3:10,11, T.E.V.
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
Name ............................................................................
Full Address.....................................................................
City............................Postal Zone..............State...................
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
(Do not return your lesson booklets; they are yours to keep. Send only the Summary Sheets. They will be checked and promptly returned to you with your next lessons.)
kANDREWS UNIVSI^T
BERRIEN SPRINGS, MfCHKGAI
HERITAGE ROOM
OKTiphlets
LIGHT OF THE WORLD-19
WHY NOT SURRENDER?
Time after time jesus had assaulted Jerusalem, bombarding it with His love. Each time He had been driven back.
He had come as the Great Physician, healing the man by the pool of Bethzatha, and for this He was threatened with death. He had come as the Great Teacher, revealing the mysteries of God, and for this the Jews took up stones to kill Him. He had come as the Life-Giver, raising a man from the grave, and for this the Council voted to execute Him.
Already His enemies were prepared for their last, deadly attack on Him.They had their strategy ready — secret trials, torture, crucifixion.
Jesus saw the doom to which their course was leading them, and He longed to shield them from that doom. In His great love, He tried to save the leaders of the nation from the crime of murdering the Son of God.
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1 Storming the City
He determined to make one final assault on Jerusalem. In His last great offensive of the war, He and His hosts would storm the city and the hearts of its people. Once more He would claim His rightful place as King of their lives.
For His timing He chose the Pass-oVer season, when the city was filled with pilgrims from all over the world, and the population had swelled to several million. On this climax of all Passovers, when the true Lamb of God was to be slain, He would present Himself publicly to the nation and the world as their Savior-King.
(Based on Matthew 21:1-11;
Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44;
John 12:12-19)
On Sunday afternoon, five days before the Passover, Jesus sent two of His disciples to Bethany to borrow an ass for His journey to Jerusalem. They spread the word around that He was going to ride in triumph to the capital, proclaim Himself King, and begin His reign as Messiah.
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Excitement spread like wildfire. Admirers of Jesus flocked to His side until there was a great company. As He seated Himself on the royal beast, the crowd cheered wildly. Then the procession began to move slowly along the road to Jerusalem, more people joining them every minute. Ecstatically they threw their coats in His pathway, waved palm branches, and shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”
Look, Jerusalem! “Lo, your King comes to you; triumphant and victorious is He, humble and riding on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass. ” Zechariah 9:9.
Look, Jerusalem! Your King comes to you — not on a horse, the beast of war, but on an ass, the royal mount of peace; not at the head of destroying armies, but with a host of rejoicing followers.
Look at your King, Jerusalem — King of the humble people. He rides a borrowed ass; He wears every-day clothes. He has no carpet but the coats that His followers spread on the road ahead of Him, no royal standard but the palm branches they wave before Him. He wears no coronation robes, no jeweled crown to enhance His majesty.
But never was king more splendid than He — glorious in the love of His people. See how they adore Him!
The blind whom He has restored to sight lead the way. The dumb whose tongues He has loosed shout the loudest hosannas. The cripples whom He has healed leap for joy. The lepers whom He has cleansed spread their untainted garments in His path.
Look, Jerusalem! The vast procession halts, their shouts are hushed, their palm branches drop to the
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ground. From the brow of the Mount of Olives they suddenly catch a view of you, their proud city, sitting in all the glory that kings have lavished upon you. Your magnificent palaces, your glorious temple glow in the light of the afternoon sun. Overcome with awe, they gaze at you in silence.
Behold your King, Jerusalem!
There on His royal beast, surrounded by adoring subjects, He looks at you and tears fill His eyes. A cry bursts from His lips — a wail in the midst of hosannas! His body shakes with sobs — He is convulsed with grief.
He is weeping over you, Jerusalem!
He looks ahead five days and sees you mocking your King, scorning His love. He sees a hill outside the city, and on the hill three crosses, and over the middle cross the inscription: “This is the King of the Jews.”
Look, Jerusalem, if you can bear the sight. Look through His eyes to your future, forty years from now. Another army is assaulting your gates, an army of war and not of peace. Enemy soldiers besiege your walls, while your populace starves within. Brutalized mothers eat their own children. The desperate ones who try to escape are captured by the besiegers. On the hill where three crosses once stood, there are thousands of crosses, thick as trees.
Look, Jerusalem! Your walls are breached; the enemy pours in. Your people flee to the temple for refuge. But the enraged soldiers recognize no sanctuary. They slaughter your people until blood runs down the temple steps like water. A maddened warrior throws a firebrand, setting ablaze the cedar-lined buildings of the temple.
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Listen, Jerusalem, to the screams of the dying, the roar of flames, the crash of falling buildings. Hear the bitter wail, “Ichabod! Ichabod!”
— the glory is departed!
Jerusalem! If you refuse to surrender to the assault of Christ's love, you will fall in bloody surrender before the assault of Roman armies.
Jerusalem, hear the lament of your King: “If you only knew today what is needed for peace! But now you cannot see it! For the days will come upon you when your enemies will surround you with barricades, blockade you, and dose in on you from every side. They will completely destroy you and the people within your walls; not a single stone will they leave in its place, because you did not recognize the time when God came to save you!” Luke 19:41-44, T.E.V.
Proud city, He will give you one more chance. He will cleanse your temple once more. He will warn you.
He will denounce you. If you take heed, you can still avert the doom that awaits you. What will your answer be?
Look, Jerusalem! The mighty procession advances toward you. Fling wide the gates! Welcome your King!
... A few priests straggle out to meet Him. They are angry because no one has come to the evening sacrifice.
“Look, the world has gone after Him,” they scowl. John 12:19. Some Pharisees push their way through the crowds to meet Him. “Command Your disciples to be quiet!” they complain. Luke 19: 39, T.E.V.
Jerusalem has no welcome for her King.
2	The Outpouring of Love (Based on Matthew 21: 12-17)
The next morning Jesus stood in the outer court of the temple, watching the slaughtering of animals, the flow of blood. In just four days His blood would flow for the sins of the world. Did the priests know the meaning of the blood?
They were more interested in the flow of money. They profited from the sins of the people. The more the people sinned, the more animals they had to buy for sacrifices. It was big business for the priests.
Once again Jesus was kindled with wrath. “My house is the house of prayer: but you have made it a den of thieves,” He cried.
He still called it “My house/’ That was on Monday. Would it still be His house on Tuesday? He wanted it to be His forever! In this last attempt, He would cleanse it with such an outpouring of His love as it had never known before.
Evil could not stand in His presence. Priests and traders fled, driving their cattle before them. The temple was quiet and empty. But soon the emptiness was filled with a pathetic host carrying their sick and dying to the Savior. Love flowed from Him in irrepressible currents, healing all their diseases.
Then the blind feasted their eyes on His face. The deaf thrilled to the music of His voice. Over and over a dumb man was practicing the word Jesus.
The children hugged and kissed Him. Someone took up the strain of the day before, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” Others joined in until the temple reverberated with the anthem.
There sat the King in all His beauty, surrounded by an entourage of devoted subjects, and a child was sleeping on His breast. Only a man of stone could be unmoved at the sight.
After a while some priests and traders came straggling back in.
They noticed a great change in the temple. The angry bargaining of the traders was exchanged for the songs of praise of the children. The market atmosphere had changed to an atmosphere of adoration and praise. Love filled the temple. They could feel it. They looked at the King and saw it.
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ADVENTIST HERITAGE CENTER
3 The Sword of Conviction
Jerusalem, open your heart to His love! Let it fill you! Let it melt you!
Just then jealousy, like an icy wind, hardened their hearts. Jesus was stealing the crowds away from them. He was their rival. They hated Him.
The glad songs of the children irritated them. “Can’t You hear what these children are saying?” they complained to Jesus.
“Yes," He replied, “and haven't you ever read the words, 'You have trained children and babies to offer perfect praise'?" Matthew 21:16, Phi., T.E.V.
They could not respond to His love.
Monday, precious Monday, passed forever. And Tuesday came.
(Based on Matthew 21:33-41;
Luke 20:9-16)
Love had failed to win the leaders of the nation. Now Jesus drew out the sharp sword of conviction, and directed it at their hearts. To catch them offguard, He concealed His thrust in a parable. He portrayed their fate in story form, so they could view it objectively. He let them stand back and look at themselves and pass judgment on themselves before they realized what they were doing.
Priests, scribes, and Pharisees were in the crowd as Jesus spoke. “There was a landowner who planted a vineyard: he put a wall round it, hewed out a winepress, and built a watch-tower."
His listeners recognized the picture, drawn hundreds of years before by the prophet Isaiah. They knew that the landowner was God, the vineyard was the Jewish nation, the tower was the temple, and the wall was the divine law which protected them from evil.
But now Jesus added some new details. “Then he [the owner] let it out to vine-growers and went abroad. When the vintage season approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect the produce due to him. But they took his servants and thrashed
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one, killed another, and stoned a third. Again, he sent other servants, this time a larger number; and they did the same to them.”
The leaders were enjoying the story without thinking of its meaning. They did not realize that the evil tenants represented themselves, and the owner’s servants represented the prophets, who had been repeatedly presecuted and slain by the leaders of Israel.
Jesus continued: “At last he sent to them his son. They will respect my son, ’ he said. But when they saw the son the tenants said to one another, This is the heir; come on, let us kill him, and get his inheritance. ’ And they took him, flung him out of the vineyard, and killed him. ”
Matthew 21:33-40, N.E.B.
Jesus’ listeners were moved to indignation by the cold-blooded cruelty of the tenants. When He asked them what the owner of the vineyard would do with those men, they shot back,
“He will kill those scoundrels without mercy!” verse 41, Phi.
Suddenly they realized what they had done. They had passed sentence on themselves - judgment without mercy! Jesus flashed the mirror before them, and they saw their own faces reflected there. Murderers of the prophets. Murderers of theSon of God. Faced with their doom, they moaned involuntarily, “God forbid!”
In an unguarded moment, Jesus had thrust them through to the heart.
Jerusalem, Jesus is warning you of your danger. Will you take heed?
Quickly they raise the tough shield of resistance. Their terror reverts to hatred. They want to silence the screamings of conscience by forever silencing their Accuser. They long to “get their hands on Him, ” but they are afraid of the crowds. Matthew 21:46, Phi.
They will wait until a more convenient time, and then they will murder their King.
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4 Arrows of Denunciation (Based on Matthew 23)
Jesus had spoken in veiled language, hoping to disarm His listeners and lead them to repent.
But their resistance only hardened. Finally He let loose with a barrage of scathing denunciations. No longer speaking in parables, He attacked them directly.
“Woe to you} scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the king’ dom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected
the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and faith... You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full of dead men's bones and of all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you build the tombs of prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' Thus you witness against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.
“You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, that upon you may come all
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the righteous blood shed on earth from the blood of innocent Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. Truly, / say to you, all this will come upon this generation. ” Verses 13, 23, 24, 27-36.
Thick and fast the arrows of denunciation rained down upon them. Under the fierce barrage they were stung to the heart, bloodied but unbowed. Their faces hardened in defiance. They would not surrender.
Jesus knew. He had exhausted all the weapons of heaven’s arsenal, to no avail. And He who will not force men, He who gives them the right to choose against Him, left them to the consequences of their choice. But that choice was so terrible that He groaned at the thought of it.
Jerusalem, with dry eyes and hard heart stand off and view His agony as you separate yourself from Him. Jesus is weeping for you — you who have
no tears for yourself. Listen to the cry of a broken heart: “0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, killing the prophets and stoning those who are sent to you!
How often would / have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!" Verse 37.
Jerusalem, the awful moment has come — the end of the long-suffering of God, the limit to the divine patience. Jesus utters the fateful words: “BEHOLD, YOUR HOUSE IS LEFT UNTO YOU DESOLA TE!n Your temple is no longer God’s house. He is no longer your King. You are no longer His people.
Jerusalem, you are doomed!
* * *
O God, how patient You are! How long You continue the struggle, though beaten back again and again.
How stubbornly I resisted Your pleadings, Your warnings, Your reproofs, before I yielded. And how thankful I am that You did not give up easily.
Lord, You have stormed my heart and broken down all its defenses. Your love has conquered. I am Yours.
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'7 am the light of the world” — Jesus Christ
Lesson 19
Summary Sheet	Registration No.
Directions: In the following questions (except No. 4), three of the four responses are correct Circle each correct response.
1.	Why did Jesus weep in the midst of His triumphal ride to Jerusalem?
A Because He was overwhelmed at the thought of the sufferings He would soon endure.
B Because He foresaw the bloody conquest of Jerusalem by the Romans.
C Because Jerusalem was rejecting its last opportunity for peace.
D Because His people were about to murder the Son of God.
(Section 1)
2.	What would be the fate of Jerusalem if it did not repent?
A The city would be besieged by Roman armies.
B The starving inhabitants in the city would eat their own children.
C Those who tried to escape would be crucified.
D The temple would be destroyed with only the stone walls left standing.	(Section 1)
3.	How did Jesus try to avert the doom of Jerusalem?
A He presented Himself to Jerusalem as its King.
B He tried to take control of the city by force.
C He cleansed the temple once more.
D He warned the leaders of their danger. (Section 1, last part) 4
4.	Match the symbols with their meanings.
The Symbols
___.The landowner
___The tenants
___The owner’s servants
___The owner’s son
___The murder
The Meanings
1.	Jesus
2.	The prophets
3.	The leaders of the Jewish nation
4.	Crucifixion
5.	God (Section 3)
5.	What were Jesus’ charges against the scribes and Pharisees?
A They appeared good outside, but were full of evil within.
B They neither entered the kingdom of heaven themselves nor let others enter.
C Though showing mercy and justice, they neglected the minor matters of the law.
D Though they honored the tombs of the prophets, they were more guilty than their fathers who had murdered them.	(Section 4)
6.	What does this lesson teach you about God?
A He uses all the weapons in heaven’s arsenal to win men’s hearts.
B Patiently He keeps trying, though beaten back again and again.
C He does not let men suffer the terrible consequences of their choice.
D He grieves over the decision of those who reject Him.
(Section 4 and conclusion)
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
Name.....................................................................
Full Address.............................................................
City.........................Postal Zone............State................
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
(Do not return your lesson booklets; they are yours to keep. Send only the Summary Sheets. They will be checked and promptly returned to you with your next lessons.)
LIGHT OF THE WORLD -20
WAR OF THE WORLDS	1 The War of the Kingdoms
(Based on Matthew 24)
Jesus wept over Jerusalem and pronounced a doom on the temple. Then He turned His back to the temple and prepared to leave it forever. As His disciples followed Him through the spacious courts, past the many buildings of the temple complex, they came to one section still under construction. The humble fishermen from the north country watched in amazement as huge marble blocks, some thirty meters long and a hundred tons in weight, were laid on top of each other. “Look, Teacher! What wonderful stones and buildings!” one of them exclaimed.
Jesus appreciated great architecture, too. That is what made His sorrow all the heavier as He replied: “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another; that will not be thrown down. ” Mark 13:2. He knew that the temple would hardly be completed before it would be destroyed. In less than forty years that great structure, built to stand a thousand years, would be reduced to rubble.
In stunned silence the disciples followed Jesus out of the city up to the Mount of Olives. Gloomily they pondered His words, trying to fathom their meaning. How could those massive stones fall, unless God Himself arose to shake terribly the earth? How could those stones be destroyed unless the great stone from heaven — God’s kingdom — came down and ground man’s works to powder, as the Prophet Daniel had predicted? (See Daniel 2) The disciples reasoned that the destruction of the temple could mean nothing less than the destruction of the world.
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Later in the evening, as Jesus sat on the mount overlooking the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew gathered closely about Him and asked, “Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the dose of the age?” Matthew 24:3.
Jesus did not tell His disciples that the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world were different events, separated by several thousand years. But He saw many similarities in the two events. The destruction of Jerusalem, with all its horrors, was a fitting symbol of the destruction of the world in the last days. The events leading up to Jerusalem’s doom paralleled events leading up to the world’s doom. Therefore, in answering their question, Jesus blended His description of both events, and of the signs which would precede them.
As the disciples watched in awed fascination, Jesus drew aside the curtain that veiled the future and let them look down through the centuries to the end of the world. The destruction of Jerusalem appeared on the nearby horizon like a huge mountain, while behind it loomed the higher peak of the destruction of the world. From the disciples’ viewpoint, the two appeared close together. They could not see the long period of persecution and tribulation that lay like a valley between. They could not have endured to see it.
Jesus began His description of the future:
“Take heed that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name, saying, 7 am the Christ, ' and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: all this is but the beginning of the sufferings.
“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold. But he who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations; and then the end will come." Verses 4-14.
In these words, Jesus outlined the fierce conflict to be waged between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of the World. Ever since Satan usurped the throne of this world, Jesus Christ has been a King in exile, and the Kingdom of Heaven a government in exile. But then Jesus visited earth in human disguise and set up the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, right under the nose of the usurper. Jesus trained His agents to promote His cause on earth and win the allegiance of men to their rightful King. The finishing of their work in all the world will be the signal for Invasion Day. Jesus Christ will come at the head of the armies of heaven to invade Satan’s kingdom and take His rightful place on the throne.
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But before the great Invasion Day, a fierce struggle would rock back and forth between the rival kingdoms. Satan would use the most diabolical tactics to destroy God’s Kingdom on earth.
His first strategy, according to Jesus, would be deception. His own counter-agents would infiltrate Christ’s Kingdom, professing to be Christ Himself. “False Christs and false prophets will arise, ” said J esus, “and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. ” Verse 24. Satan would even counterfeit the invasion itself, appearing as a glorious being and claiming to be Christ! But Jesus told His disciples
how to avoid being deceived, “if they say to you, ‘Lo, he is in the wilderness, ’ do not go out; if they say, 'Lo, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man. ” Verses 26 and 27. Jesus would not appear in any localized spot on earth — He would appear as lightning in the heavens.
Satan would next pursue a policy of exterminating God’s people. As Jesus looked into the future, He saw long ages of unspeakable suffering for His people on earth. “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.n Verses 21 and 22. For over a thousand years the government of Satan would try to exterminate God’s people by burning them at the stake, dismembering them on the rack, or leaving them to rot in dungeons. Yet God’s Kingdom could not be destroyed. When one person died, others would rise in his place.
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Then Satan would develop his most deadly weapon against the Kingdom of Heaven: coldness and indifference. Jesus said, “And because wickedness is multiplied, most men's love will grow cold. ” Once a movement grows cold, it dies. Because of corruption in or outside of the movement, many would become discouraged and drop out. Jesus admonished: “He who endures to the end will be saved." Verses 12 and 13.
Jesus also warned that His Kingdom on earth would have to operate in the midst of the turmoil and upheavals of Satan’s kingdom. Wars would become more and more widespread and destructive until Satan would lead the whole world to war against God in the last great battle of Armageddon.
Yet in the midst of the storms of Satan’s kingdom, God’s Kingdom would grow quietly, like a mustard seed, until its roots and branches extended over all the earth. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, as a testimony to all nations;l Jesus predicted, “and then the end will come." Verse 14. In spite of opposition
and terror and sword, His people would carry the gospel, or good news, of the Kingdom to all the world, winning victory after victory in the conquest of human hearts. Then, when they have won adherents to the Kingdom from every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, God joins forces with His people on earth in the last great battle. Suddenly, in a great invasion from the skies, Jesus Christ comes at the head of the armies of heaven to overthrow Satan’s kingdom.
ADVENTIST
Page 7	HERITAGE CENTER
“Then will appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; and He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. ” Verses 30 and 31.
Then a voice from heaven will announce: “The kingdom of the World has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever." Revelation 11:15.
The King is no longer in exile! His Kingdom is no longer an underground movement, persecuted and oppressed by the tyrannical government of Satan. There are no longer two kingdoms struggling for supremacy. The Kingdom of Heaven is now the Kingdom of the World!
What a contrast between the King’s first coming to earth and His second!
Then He came disguised as a man: now He comes as God. Then He came as a helpless Infant: now He comes as a powerful King. Then He appeared in poverty and humility: now He appears in power and great glory. Then He was born in a cave of the earth: now He comes in the clouds of heaven. Then He came as a Sower of seed, to plant new principles in the hearts of men. Now He comes as the Reaper, to gather the wheat into His barn, and to bind the weeds into bundles to be burned. Then He came with a message of “peace on earth. ” Now He comes to make war, smiting the nations in the fury of God Almighty. Revelation 19:15.
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2	How to Triumph with God’s Kingdom (Based on Matthew 25)
The disciples trembled. There on the dark mountainside they could almost see the heavens opened and Jesus coming on the clouds. Peter, James, and John remembered another night on a dark mountain when their Lord was glorified before their eyes. They looked again at their beloved Master, and saw Him in a new dimension of greatness and majesty.
Jesus told His disciples that no one could know the day or the hour of His coming: they must be ready at all times.
Right away certain questions entered their minds. How could they be ready? What did God expect of citizens of His Kingdom, living in a world ruled by Satan? How should they live? How should they work to advance the Kingdom of Heaven on earth? How could they be sure of acceptance into the Kingdom?
The disiciples listened intently as Jesus explained.
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they ail slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise,
‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, ‘Perhaps there will not be enough for us
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and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves. ’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, ‘Truly, i say to you, / do not know you. ’ ” Verses 1-12.
The disciples were disturbed by the story. They saw that there must be great significance to the oil, because the only difference between the wise and foolish maidens was in the oil they carried.
In the Bible, oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.* Oil is the fuel that produces light and heat and energy. The Holy Spirit is the power that gets into a human life and transforms it. Jesus once told His followers: “You are the light of the world. ” Matthew 5:14. They must radiate the light of heaven in a world of darkness. But without the oil of the Holy Spirit — without God’s power — in the life, there is no light, no warmth, no energy.
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An empty lamp in the dark is useless.
A profession of religion without the power is useless. Jesus told His disciples that the first essential for citizenship in God’s Kingdom is to have the fulness of the Spirit in the life.
But that is only the beginning. Jesus continued with another story.
“For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
“Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.' His master said to him, 'Weii done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, / will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master. ’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, *Master; you delivered to me two talents; here / have made two talents more. ’ His master said to him, ' Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, / will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master. •
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“He also who had received the one talent came forward\ saying, 'Master; / knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow; so i was afraid, and i went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours. * But his master answered him, you wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where i have not sowed, and gather where i have not winnowed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. ' ” Verse 14-30.
Another disturbing story. What are the talents, and how are they increased or lost?* The talents represent certain raw materials which God has given all men, to be developed and improved: time, physical strength, mental ability, personality, influence. Men do not receive equal gifts, yet every man receives some gifts, each of which is exceedingly precious. And although men may not be equal in talent, they can be equal in effort.
*A talent was a unit of weight equal to about 75 pounds. A talent of gold would be worth about $35,000. Even a silver talent would be extremely valuable.
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God expects every citizen of His Kingdom to develop his faculties to the highest perfection so that he can do the greatest amount of good possible. Every one is to see himself as having great value to the cause of God on earth. He can increase his worth by developing his talents. Talents used are talents multiplied. Talents buried are talents lost.
Jesus’ second requirement for a citizen of His Kingdom is that he improve every ability to the utmost, so that he can be a valuable worker in God’s cause.
But what is the purpose of improving one’s talents? Jesus explained in a third story.
“When the Son of Man comes as King, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his royal throne, and all the earth's people will be gathered before him. Then he will divide them into two groups, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats: he will put the sheep at his right and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to the people on his right: ‘You who are blessed by my Father: come! Come and receive the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world. I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me drink; i was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of mef in prison and you visited me.' The
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righteous will then answer him: 'When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you?
When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’ The King will answer back, 'I tell you, indeed, whenever you did this for one of these poorest brothers of mine, you did it for meV
"Then he will say to those on his left: 'A way from me, you who are under God's curse! A way to the eternal fire which has been prepared for the Devi! and his angels! i was hungry but you would not feed me, thirsty but you would not give me drink; I was a stranger but you would not welcome me in your homes, naked but you would not clothe me; / was sick and in prision but you would not take care of me.' Then they will answer him: 'When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and we wouldnot help you?' The King will answer them back, 7 tell you, indeed, whenever you refused to help one of these poor ones, you refused to help me.' These, then, will be sent off to eternal punishment; The righteous will go to eternal life."
Verses 31-46 T.E.V.
In His first story, Jesus told of the power for service — the Holy Spirit.
In His second story, He told of the instrument for service — the person who has developed his abilities so he can be an effective worker. In His third story, He told how the power and the instrument were to be used: in the service of humanity. The citizens of God's Kingdom need to become involved in the problems that wrack Satan’s kingdom. They need to look upon every human being as a candidate for God’s Kingdom, no matter how poor or degraded he is. They need to fight personally in the battle against ignorance, poverty, sickness, and crime. If they follow in the footsteps of Jesus, they will go to the slums, the hospitals, the prisons — to the aid of anyone needing help. And there they will meet Jesus Himself, for He identifies Himself with the suffering and the needy — and even the sinful.
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The five foolish maidens, the lazy servant, and the ones at the King’s left hand, all thought they were citizens of God’s Kingdom. But they will all be punished with the enemies of the Kingdom: they will all be cast into "outer darkness." They are not condemned for evil deeds they did, but for good that they neglected to do. They neglected to obtain the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They neglected to improve their talents. They neglected to serve humanity. They were careless, lazy, and indifferent. They lost their heavenly citizenship, not by working against the Kingdom, but by doing nothing to advance the Kingdom.
But every faithful citizen will hear the words of the King, "Come, 0 blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ” Matthew 25:34.
Lord, will I ever hear those words? I feel inadequate for the task You have commanded me to do. But I know that You never give a command without also giving the power to obey it. Give me Your Spirit. Give me a love for humanity. Make me an instrument for advancing the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.
* * *
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Lesson 20	Summary Sheet	Registration No.
Directions: In the following questions (except No.4), three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	Why did Jesus combine His description of the destruction of Jerusalem with the end of the world?
A He thought the world would end when Jerusalem was destroyed.
B The destruction of Jerusalem, with all its horrors, was a fitting symbol of the destruction of the world.
C Events leading to Jerusalem’s doom were similar to events leading to the end of the world.
D The disciples could not have endured to see the long period of persecution that lay between the two events.
(Section 1)
2.	How did Jesus describe the future?
A False prophets and false Christs would arise.
B There would be wars and rumors of wars.
C The world would be converted by the Gospel message.
D Famines and earthquakes would occur.
3.	What strategies would Satan use in warring against God’s kingdom?
A His agents, as false prophets, would infiltrate Christ’s kingdom.
B Satan would appeSr as a glorious being, claiming to be Christ.
C Satan would try, unsuccessfully’ to bring coldness and indifference into the movement.
D Satan would try to exterminate God’s people through fierce persecution.	(Section 1)
4.	For statements describing Jesus’ first coming, write F; for those describing His second coming, write S.
He comes to make war.
He comes disguised as a man.
He appears in poverty and humility.
He comes as a Reaper.
He comes as God.
He comes with a message of peace.
He comes as a Sower of seed.
He appears in power and great glory. (Section 1, last part)
5.	How can we live as citizens of God’s kingdom in the midst of Satan’s kingdom?
A Conceal our loyalty to God.
B Have the oil of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
C Develop all of our talents to be used in God’s service.
D Become involved in service for humanity. (Section 2)
6.	On what basis will Christ separates the “sheep” from the “goats” in the day of judgment? Whether or not they
A	welcomed strangers into their home.
B	professed the true religion.
C engaged in welfare work for the poor.
D visited those in prison.	(Section 2, last part)
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LIGHT OF THE WORLD-21
ONE WITH GOD
Jesus had entered human flesh and lived with human beings for thirty-three years so that God could be one with man. Now, on the last night before His death, He wanted to show His followers how man could become one with God. He gathered His twelve disciples together in a large upstairs room to celebrate the Passover feast. In the few hours that remained He wanted to bring them into the closest union with Himself.
But the disciples were in a sullen, resentful mood, having reopened the quarrel as to who should be the greatest.
The table, set for dinner, was surrounded by couches on which the guests lounged while eating. At any feast, seating was a matter of protocol, the most honored guests taking their places at the left and right of the host. Judas had managed to get the highest place on Jesus' left. John had taken the place at Jesus' right. The others were so annoyed that they could hardly conceal their resentment.
Another problem added to the tension. Although a jug of water, basin, and towel had been provided, there was
no servant to wash the guests' feet. In Palestine where roads were thick with either dust or mud, and people wore sandals, it was customary to wash the guests’ feet before they entered a house.
In the absence of a servant, one of the disciples should have performed the task. But not one felt like humbling himself. Each thought someone else should do the job. Pretending to ignore the difficulty, they all took their places at the table and ate several courses of the feast with unwashed feet.
Jesus was pained at their attitude. How often He had tried to teach them, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.n Matthew 20:26. But right under the shadow of the cross, where Christ would humble Himself to the depths, they were competing for highest honors.
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1 Unity Through the Washing of Feet
(Based on John 13:1-30; Matthew 26:21-25)
The supper proceeded in moody silence. Then Jesus, fully conscious that “He had come from God and was going to Godn — that He was Lord of heaven and earth — rose to perform the task of a servant. While the disciples watched in surprise and shame, He laid aside His outer gartnent, wrapped the towel about His waist, poured water into a basin, and stooped to wash the Soiled feet of His men. He felt no resentment, no disgust. “Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”
John 13:1.
Jesus began with J udas at the highest place. He knew all about J udas — just the day before, the traitor had met once more with the priests to make final arrangements for the betrayal. But Jesus hungered for the soul of Judas. “He felt for him such a burden as for Jerusalem when He wept over the doomed city. His heart was crying, How can I give you up? The constraining power of that love was felt by Judas. When the Savior’s hands were bathing those soiled feet, and wiping them with the towel, the heart of Judas thrilled through and through with the impulse then and there to confess his sin.” White, The Desire of Ages, p. 645. But pride held him back. In a sudden revulsion of feeling, he despised Jesus for “degrading” Himself. He decided that there was no future in uniting himself to Christ. He renewed his decision to disown Him.
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As Peter watched, he was filled with shame to think that one of the disciples was not performing this service. Christ’s condescension broke his heart. At the same time his whole soul protested the humiliation. When Jesus came to him, Peter exclaimed, “Lord, do You wash my feet? You shall never wash my feet!” John 13:6,8.
“If / do not wash you, you have no part in Me, ” Jesus replied. Jesus was washing away more than dust and dirt. He was washing away the jealousy, the bitterness, the rivalry of His men. He was uniting them to Himself. If Peter refused to be washed, he could not be one with Christ.
Peter longed above all else to be close to his Master. “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” he replied. He committed his whole being to Christ.
The washing made a complete change in the disciples. Their pride melted into humility. Their jealousy melted into love. Their rivalry melted into unity.
Jesus stood up and looked at them once more. “Now you are clean,” He said. “But not all.” He knew the heart of Judas.
The men resumed their meal, reclining on the left elbow and eating with the right hand as was the custom. Suddenly Jesus made a startling announcement:
“I tell you plainly, one of you is going to betray Me!”
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Knowing how true Jesus1 sayings were, the disciples were alarmed. Who among them was capable of such a dastardly act? With the most painful emotion, one after another asked, “Lord, is it I?1’ John rolled over close to Jesus so that his head lay in Jesus' breast “Lord, who is it?" he asked.
Jesus whispered, "It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when / have dipped it. ” Right away He handed it to Judas at His left. Then, raising His voice, He added, "The Son of man goes as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born. ” Matthew 26:24.
Everyone looked at J udas. He was the only one who had remained silent. Quickly he spoke up. “Master, is it I?"
“It is you," Jesus answered.
In surprise and confusion at the exposure of his purpose, J udas rose hastily to leave the room. He "went out, and it was night. ” Night it was to the traitor — the night of eternal separation from God. Refusing to yield to Christ's love, he was battered by the fierce emotions of bitterness, guilt, and finally despair. Early the next morning, before Jesus’ body ever hung on Calvary's tree, Judas’ body would lay mangled under the tree where he had hanged himself.
The departure of Judas removed all disharmony from the group. Now Jesus could unite them to Himself in the closest way. Now He could initiate them to the wonders of union with God.
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2 Union with God Through the Lord’s Supper
(Based on Matthew 26:26-29)
“Now as they were eating; Jesus took	To eat the flesh and drink the blood
bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, Take, eat; this is My body.’ And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, 'Drink of it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.' ” Verses 26-28.
Eating together is an expression of fellowship. But the Lord’s Supper of bread and wine means far more than that. Jesus said the bread represented His body, and the wine His blood. In giving His disciples these emblems, He was saying in effect, “I want to be very close to you. I am not satisfied to be with you: I want to be in you — I want to become a part of you.”
of Christ is to receive Him into the heart. “It is by beholding His love, by dwelling upon it, by drinking it in, that we are to become partakers of His nature. What food is to the body, Christ must be the soul. Food cannot benefit us unless we eat it, unless it becomes a part of our being. So Christ is of no value to us if we do not know Him as a personal
Savior_____We must feed upon Him,
receive Him into the heart, so that His life becomes our life.” White, The Desire of Ages, p. 389.
That night in the upper room, Jesus was thinking not only of His disciples, but of His church through the ages. He gave the washing of feet and the Lord’s Supper as ordinances to be observed down the centuries until the glad day when His people will eat with Him in His kingdom. '7 tell you / shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when / drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom, ” He said. Verse 29.
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3	Union in Spile of Separation: the Hoiy Spirit
(Based on John 13:31-38; 14)
Jesus looked ahead a few hours and saw the mobs coming to capture and crucify Him. “My children," He said with a tremble in His voice, '7 shall not be with you very much longer.
You will look for Me; but... you cannot go where / am going. ” J ohn 13: 33, T.E.V. Before another sunset He would be dead. In a few more weeks He would ascend to His Father.
Peter could not bear the thought of separation from the One he loved supremely. “Lord, why can't / follow You now?" he asked. “I am ready to die for You!”
“Are you really ready to die for Me? / tell you the truth: before the rooster crows you will say three times that you do not know Me," J esus answered. John 13:37, 38, T.E.V.
Peter was deeply hurt. He thought Jesus distrusted his love. The other disciples were bewildered and grief-stricken. All they could think of was that they were going to lose Jesus.
Tenderly Jesus explained that He had to go away to His Father’s home to prepare a place for them and that He would surely come back. “I am coming again to welcome you into My own home, so that you may be where I am. ” John 14:3, Phi. He directed their eyes beyond the long period of separation to the day they would be with Him in His kingdom.
But how were they to live meanwhile? the disciples wondered. How could they endure a long separation from Him? Once again Jesus comforted them. “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter to stay with you forever — the Spirit of Truth, ” He promised. John 14: 16,17, B.V.
As Jesus had given them Himself, the Bread of Life, He now gave them His Spirit, the Breath of Life. The Holy Spirit is God without the limitations of a person. He is as omnipresent as the air.
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adventist heritage CENTER
In some ways it was better for them to have the Holy Spirit than Jesus, who was cumbered with a human body. He could not be with them everywhere. Sometimes He had to say good-bye. But the Holy Spirit would never leave them. “He will remain with you forever," Jesus said.
“He is with you now, and will be in you, ” Jesus added. Here was another advantage. The Holy Spirit could come closer to them than Jesus was, sitting by their side that night. Jesus could be close to them, but the Spirit could be in them. It is through the Spirit that God enters into a man’s life. As oxygen, breathed into the body, brings life to every cell, so the Spirit comes into a man to give life to the soul.
The disciples loved Jesus. Could they love a Spirit? Sensing their doubts, Jesus revealed something very wonderful about the Spirit: “I shall not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” “If a man loves Me ... My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” John 14:18, 23, B.V., R.S.V.
How could Jesus and His Father come so close to them? Through the Holy Spirit! The Spirit contains all the fullness of the Godhead. By Him the Father and the Son come to commune with the humblest believer who opens his heart to God.
Reassuringly, lovingly, Jesus pronounced a blessing on His troubled men:
“Peace / leave with you; My peace / give to you... Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ” John 14:27.
Rising from the table, they all sang a hymn and went out.
4	The Union of the Vine and the Branches (Based on John 15:1-11)
As Jesus led His disciples past the streets of Jerusalem toward the Garden of Gethsemane, they saw a flourishing grapevine in the moonlight. Jesus had been telling them how they could be one with Him by eating His flesh and by breathing His Spirit. Now He used another illustration.
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‘7 am the true vine, ” He said,
“and you are the branches. ” As the branch is one with the vine, Christ’s followers are to be one with Him.
Fiber by fiber, vein by vein, the branch is connected with stock of the plant, receiving the life-giving sap from the root
Jesus did not say, “I am the stock and you are the branches.” He said,
“I am the vinethe root, the trunk, the branches, the leaves, the fruit — everything. His followers are not just something connected with Him, but they are a part of Him. He wants them to be the loveliest part of Him in this world — the part that bears leaves and flowers and fragrant fruit. It is through His followers that the beauty and loveliness of Christ are revealed to the world.
But the branch cannot claim any glory for its beauty or the fruit it bears. “It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me,” the believer says. If a branch should become proud and decide to live independently of the vine, it would soon perish. “The branch cannot bear fruit by itself, ” Jesus said,
“unless it abides in the vine__If a
man does not abide in Me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. ” Verses 4 and 6.
A branch cannot live independently of the vine; neither can it live by an off-and-on connection with the vine. “Abide in Me, and I in you, ” Jesus explained.
Verse 4. It really mean, remain united to Me. “He who abides in Me and / in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. ” Verse 5.
A branch does not struggle to bear fruit. All it needs to do is to remain connected with the vine, and fruit will appear. The Christian does not live a righteous life by struggling and striving.
The vital need is to stay connected with Christ.
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5	One with God! (Based on John 17)
Yet here lies the crux of the problem. Many a believer cries out in despair. “How do I stay connected with Christ? How can I get the sap out of the vine into myself? How can I get God's power into me?"
Two attitudes are necessary. The first is surrender. The life must be yielded to Christ completely. Any sin, anything held back from Christ, is a barrier that cuts off the flow of God's power in the life. The second is trust - a restful, relaxing trust in Christ. The believer can say in confidence, “I am a branch in Christ, a part of Him. I have opened my life completely to Him for His power to flow through. My mind is His to think His thoughts. My lips are His to speak His words. My hands are His to do His work. Now I trust Him to use me. I trust Him to bear fruit through me.
I trust Him to make my life beautiful with His love."
When this union with Christ is made, there comes a sudden surge of joy that fills the heart to overflowing. “These things / have spoken to you} that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full, " Jesus said. Verse 11.
Jesus had been walking with His disciples as He talked. Now the Garden of Gethsemane — and His hour of supreme anguish — lay just ahead. Jesus viewed it also as His hour of supreme glory. Lifting His eyes to heaven, He prayed: "Father; the hour has come. Give glory to Your Son, that the Son may give glory to You." Verse 1, T.E.V. Jesus' glory was in the cross. '7, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself," He said. John 12:32. The sight of God's Son dying at the hands of those He came to save has broken men's hearts through the ages. There they see love shining from the midst of hate, victory flashing out through apparent defeat, glory bursting forth from the shame.
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Then Jesus prayed fervently for His disciples. “0 holy Father! Keep them safe... so they may be one just as You and I are one. ” Verse 11, T.E.V. Jesus wanted them to be one with each other. But that was not all.
Love craves union, as husband and wife crave the intimate union that makes them one flesh. Jesus craved the closest union with His disciples. Embracing all His followers of all ages, He pleaded,
"0 FatherI May they be in Us, just as You are in Me and i am in You. ”
Verse 21, T.E.V. He wanted to lift fallen human beings into the intimate circle of the Godhead, to be one with the Father and the Son!
Still Jesus wanted more. “0 Father,” He continued, ‘7 want them to be with Me where i am. ” Verse 24, T.E.V. Jesus looked forward to the day when the separation would be ended and His people would be personally present with Him in His kingdom. “I want them to see My glory,” He said — not the glory of the cross, but the glory of His kingly majesty.
And then Jesus, after showing sinners how to become one with God, walked resolutely to Gethsemane, where, in a new and terrible way, He would become one with sinners.
* * *
Lord Jesus, I have been a toiling, struggling follower of Yours, dissatisfied with my life, burdened with guilt for my failures. I long to abide in You, to be one with You. I don’t know why You want me. I don’t know how You can take such a one as I so close to Yourself. But I surrender my life to You now. I believe, I rejoice, that I am in You, and You in me, and we are one.
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'7 am the light of the world" — Jesus Christ
Lesson 21
Summary Sheet
Registration No.
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses
are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	On the night before the crucifixion, what prevented the disciples from being one with each other and with Christ?
A They were quarreling about who was to be the greatest.
B In the absence of a servant, no one was willing to wash the other’s feet.
C Peter would not let Jesus wash his feet.
D Judas and John had taken the most honored seats at the table.	(Introduction and Section 1)
2.	How did Jesus bring harmony and love into the group?
A By pouring out His love on Peter, He caused his heart to thrill with the impulse to confess his sin.
B By washing their feet, He melted away their pride.
C	By exposing the traitor, He caused him to leave.
D	By giving the emblems of-His body and blood, He
showed the disciples how to become one with Himself.	(Sections 1 and 2)
3.	What blessings come through having the Holy Spirit?
A We can have a constant feeling of ecstasy.
B God can be />i us as well as with us.
C The Spirit is our Comforter.
D Through the Spirit, Father and Son come to live with us.	(Section 3) 4
4.	In what ways was it better for the disciples to have the Holy Spirit than to have Jesus personally present with them?
A Christ, cumbered with a human body, could not be with them everywhere.
B	The Holy Spirit would never need to leave them.
C	The Holy Spirit could understand their inmost feelings
better than Christ.
D The Holy Spirit could come closer to them than Christ could.	(Section 3)
5.	How did Jesus illustrate the way man was to be one with God?
A	Through the union of bread with the body.
B	Through the union of breath with the body.
C	Through the union of fuel with flame.
D Through the union of the vine with the branches.
6.	What was Jesus* prayer for His disciples?
A That they might be spared trial and persecution.
B	That they might be one with each other.
C	That they might be one with the Father and the Son.
D That they might see His glory.	(Section 5)
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one with sinners
22
LIGHT OF THE WORLD -22
ONE WITH SINNERS
“When they reached a place called Gethsemane, He said to His disciples,
*Sit here while / pray. ’ And He took Peter and James and John with Him. Horror and dismay came over Him, and He said to them, 'My heart is ready to break with grief; stop here, and stay awake. ’ Then He went forward a little, threw Himself on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, this hour might pass Him by." Mark 14:32-35, N.E.B.
The awful hour had come when Jesus must be one with sinners. He must stand in the place of sinful man and take upon Himself all the punishment deserved by the guilty race. For, in God’s plan to save lost humanity, “Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. ‘With His stripes we are healed.’ ” White, The Desire of Ages, p. 25.
As Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane, the weight of the sins of the world descended upon Him.
He fell prostrate under the terrible burden. The horror of sin was that it separated from God. Sin had driven Adam and Eve from God’s presence; and now sin, like a powerful wedge, was coming between Him and His Father, cutting Them off from each other. No mortal man can understand the anguish this caused both Father and Son, whose joy, whose life, was to be one.
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The tragedy of Jesus1 final hours was that He who lived by union with God must be separated from God; He who longed for oneness with His disciples had to endure rejection by them; He who craved love from the creatures He had made must endure the most bitter hatred and abuse from them.
In the Father’s hand was a cup which He held out to His Son. The Son looked into the cup and drew back in horror.
“My Father, if it is possible, take this cup away from Me!" He pleaded. Matthew 26:39, T.E.V.
What was in the cup that terrified Him so? Why did He shrink in horror from drinking it? Why did He cry out three times, asking the Father to take it away from Him?
The cup was full of the "wine of the wrath of God. ” It was the cup prepared for guilty man— the cup of separation from God, the cup of outer darkness, the cup of eternal death.
Jesus feared to take the cup, yet there was no other way to save man than to drink it. “Not My will, but Yours be done,” He prayed in submission.
The human heart longs for sympathy in suffering. If Jesus could know that the unworthy men for whom He was giving His life understood His sufferings and appreciated His sacrifice, He would be comforted. Rising with painful effort, He staggered to the place where He had left Peter, James, and John. But He found them sleeping. They had slept through His glorification on the mount, and now they slept through His agony in the garden.
Jesus viewed His sleeping disciples with despair. They had failed Him in His hour of supreme need. There was no one on earth to comfort Him. Heaven itself seemed closed to Him. He was utterly alone.
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Returning to the place of His former struggle, He reeled and fell once more to the earth. So great was His agony that “His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. ” Luke 22:44. The enemy tempted Him to believe that if He accepted the punishment for men’s sins, He would never be able to return to His Father. He feared that Their separation would be eternal. Satan suggested a way of escape for Christ: “Let the sinner suffer the results of his own sins, and You go back to Your Father.” The temptation was strong, overpowering.
But then Jesus saw the helplessness of man. The woes of a lost world rose before Him. He saw that if He abandoned the human race to its fate, it would perish. His decision was made. He would save man at any cost to Himself. “My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, Your will be done,"
He prayed. And then He fell dying to the ground.
If an angel had not come to revive Him, Jesus would never have lived to endure the agonies of the trial and crucifixion. But God sent a messenger from heaven to strengthen His Son the assurance that His great sacrifice would result in the salvation of millions of lost human beings.
* * *
Oh Jesus, You endured the anguish of separation from Your Father so that I could be one with Him. You drank the wine of His wrath so I could drink the wine of His love — the wine of Your blood that makes me one with You. You took the cup of the curse, so I could take the cup of blessing.
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1 Betrayed and Bound (Based on Matthew 26:47-50;
John 18:2-9)
The struggled ended, Jesus came once more to His disciples. Once more He , found them asleep. “Are you sti/i sleeping and taking your rest?” He asked. J ust then He heard the shouts of a great mob approaching the garden. “Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, Let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand!” Matthew 26:45, 46.
In alarm the disciples jumped to their feet. Soldiers with torches and spears were entering the garden, followed by the rabble of Jerusalem.
Fearlessly Jesus presented Himself to the men who thirsted for His blood. He could face every crisis effortlessly because He had strained every muscle and nerve in prayer beforehand. He could go forth a conqueror because He had won the battle in advance through prayer.
But, as Jesus had prayed Himself to victory, His disciples had slept themselves to defeat. Faced with the greatest crisis of their lives, they were totally unprepared.
Judas entered the garden with his following of priests and elders and soldiers. He had instructed them: “The One i shall kiss is the Man; seize Him. ” Brazenly he strode up to Jesus and kissed Him repeatedly in pretended affection. Jesus’ voice trembled as He asked, “Judas, would you betray the Son of man with a kiss?” Luke 22:48.
Instantly the temple police surrounded Jesus, grasped His arms, and bound them firmly behind His back. This arrest was much easier than they had expected.
They had come equipped with swords and clubs, expecting stiff resistance. But Jesus gave Himself up voluntarily. His arrest was part of God’s plan. If it were not, no one could have touched Him.
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2	Tried by the Council (Based on Matthew 26:57-68)
The disciples watched in fear and anger as Jesus submitted to be bound and led away captive. And then, in sudden panic that they too might be arrested, they all forsook Him and fled.
* * *
Down the dark streets of Jerusalem the soldiers hurried Jesus, followed by the hooting mob. At last they reached the palace of Caiaphas, the high priest. Caiaphas had called together a quorum of councilmen and some “witnesses” bribed to testify against Christ, so that he could stage a hurried trial. He was anxious to rush through with the proceedings so that Jesus could be executed before His friends came to His defense.
The high priest sat on his throne, surrounded by a semi-circle of council-men, while Jesus stood directly before him. The witnesses came in one by one; but under examination they became so confused that not a single charge against Jesus could be substantiated. Caiaphas was getting more and more agitated, while Jesus stood in majestic silence. Then, in rage, the high priest stood up and screamed, “Have You no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against You?”
Oh Jesus, You were bound by the cords of my sins so that I might be released. You were arrested as a criminal so that I might be set free.
' ADVENTIST HERITAGE CENTER
Jtmee White Libre?'/
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Jesus continued silent.
Finally, raising his right hand to heaven, the high priest said, “In the name of the living God, I now put you on oath: tell us if You are the Messiah, the Son of God. ”
“So you say, ” answered Jesus. “But / tell all of you: from this time on you will see the Son of man sitting at the right side of the Almighty,and coming on the clouds of heaven!” Matthew 26: 63, 64, T.E.V.
Jesus warned His cruel judge that some day their positions would be reversed: Caiaphas would be a prisoner standing before the judgment bar of God Almighty, and Jesus Christ would be the Judge.
Caiaphas quailed at the thought. Then he scornfully banished the idea. Rending his robes, he cried out, “Blasphemy! We don't need any more witnesses! Right here you have heard His wicked words! What do you think?”
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3	Denied by Peter (Based on Matthew 26:69-75)
They answered, “He is guilty and must die." Verses 65 and 66, T.E.V.
Jesus was then led away to the guard-room in Caiaphas^house. There the soldiers and ignorant rabble mocked and taunted Him. Someone threw a robe over His head, struck Him, and said, “Prophesy for us, Messiah! Teil us who hit You!*' When the robe was removed, one poor wretch spat in His face.
“The angels of God faithfully recorded every insulting look, word, and act against their beloved Commander. One day the base men who scorned and spat upon the calm, pale face of Christ will look upon it in its glory, shining brighter than the sun.” White, The Desire of Ages, p. 715.
* * *
Oh Jesus, You were tried in the courts of men and pronounced guilty so that I could be tried in heaven’s court and pronounced innocent!
But something occurred which caused Jesus greater pain than all the cruelty of His foes. During His trial before Caiaphas, one of His beloved disciples denied that he knew Him.
After fleeing from the garden,
Peter remembered his brave words that he would follow his Lord to prison and death. Rallying his courage, he followed his Master to the palace of Caiaphas. There he mingled with the crowd, pretending to be a casual bystander. But he could not suppress a look of grief and anger at the outrageous treatment Jesus was receiving.
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As he stood by a fire in the courtyard warming himself, the flames lighted up his tell-tale face. One of the servant girls stared at him a long time and then asserted, “You, too, were with Jesus of Galilee."
Peter snapped, “i don't know what you are talking about, " and strode over to the porch. Just then a rooster crowed.
Someone else .noticed him there and announced, “He was with Jesus of Nazareth!"
Peter’s heart began pounding. He did not want to be recognized and arrested with his Master, “i swear that / don't know that Man!'' he declared emphatically.
An hour went by. Peter felt more confident and joined in the conversation. But his jesting sounded unnatural, and every so often a look of indignation crossed his face as he saw J esus being mistreated. Soon a third person spoke up. “Of course you are one of them," he said. “After all, the way you speak gives you away." Peter’s Galilean accent had betrayed him.
At this, Peter flew into a rage. Reverting to his fisherman habits, he began to curse and swear as he had not done for years. “I do not know that Man!" he roared.
Again the rooster crowed. Peter heard it that time, and remembered the words of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you do not know Me." Verses 69-75, T.E.V.
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“While the degrading oaths were fresh upon Peter's lips, and the shrill crowing of the cock was still ringing in his ears, the Savior turned from the frowning judge, and looked full upon His poor disciple. At the same time Peter’s eyes were drawn to his Master. In that gentle countenance he read deep pity and sorrow but there was no anger there.
“The sight of that pale, suffering face, those quivering lips, that look of compassion and forgiveness, pierced his heart
like an arrow____Peter had just declared
that he knew not Jesus, but he now realized with bitter grief how well his Lord knew him, and how accurately He had read his heart, the falseness of which was unknown even to himself.
“... Once more he looked at his Master, and saw a sacrilegious hand raised to smite Him in the face. Unable longer to endure the scene, he rushed, heartbroken, from the hall.
“He pressed on in solitude and darkness, he knew not and cared not where. At last
he found himself in Gethsemane_____On
the very spot where Jesus had poured out His soul in agony to His Father, Peter fell upon his face, and wished that he might die.’’ White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 712,713.
One thought brought him comfort.
Just a few hours before, Jesus had said,
7	have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you turn back to Me, you must strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32, T.E.V. Jesus had prayed for him! Jesus had assured him that he would repent. Jesus loved him still!
Oh Jesus, you suffered the anguish of being forsaken by Your best friends, so that I need never be forsaken by my best Friend.
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4	Scourged by Pilate (Based on Luke 23:1-25)
After the Jewish Council had pronounced sentence on Jesus, the priests led Him to the Roman governor to be executed. The Jews did not have authority to carry out the death sentence. They hoped Pilate would agree with their verdict and deliver Jesus up to be crucified.
Pilate was not a just man and had little regard for human life. But as he looked at theysupposed criminal before him, he was struck with the nobility and goodness of His face. He recalled stories he had heard of the miraculous powers of the Nazarene. As a Roman, he believed that the gods sometimes came to earth in the form of men, and he thought Jesus might be a god. He did not dare execute Him.
Pilate tried every means in his power, short of defying the Jews, to release Jesus. He tried to shift the responsibility to Herod. But Herod sent Jesus right back. Next he thought of a Jewish custom that might secure the release of Jesus. At the Passover season the Jews could ask for a criminal to be released. Pilate brought out the ugliest murderer he could find, set him by the side of Jesus, and asked, “Which one do you want me to set free for you, Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus called the Christ?” Matthew 27:17, T.E.V.
The priests persuaded the rabble to shout for Barabbas. When Pilate asked, “Then what shall / do with Jesus?” they screamed, “Let Him be crucified!”
Then Pilate tried another tactic— compromise. “Behold, nothing deserving death has been done by Him/’ he stated. “I will therefore chastise Him and release Him.”
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A Roman scourging was called “the halfway death.’1 It was supposed to stop just short of death. It was administered by a trained man called a lictor, using a whip of leather strips in which glass, lead, and sharp bone were embedded. As the lash was brought down on a man’s back, it cut the flesh to ribbons. Some men died under the lash; others went raving mad.
Jesus was stripped of His clothes, tied to a post, and beaten until His back was lacerated.
* * *
Oh Jesus, I deserve every blow that lashed Your back. You were beaten for my sins and bruised for my iniquities so that by Your stripes I might be healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
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5	Mocked by the Soldiers (Based oirMatthew 27:27-31)
Jesus* ordeal was not ended. *Then Pilate's soldiers took Jesus into the Governor's pa/ace, and the whole company gathered around Him. They stripped off His clothes and put a scarlet robe on Him. Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and put it on His head, and put a stick in His right hand; then they knelt before Him and made fun of Him. ‘Long live the King of the Jews!' they said. They spat on Him, and took the stick and hit Him over the head." Verses 27-30, T.E. V.
As they struck His head, the thorns were forced into His temples, sending the blood trickling down His face and beard.
Pilate now brought Jesus forth for everyone to see. “There stood the Son of God, wearing the robe of mockery and the crown of thorns. Stripped to the waist, His back showed the long, cruel stripes, from which the blood flowed freely. His face was stained with blood, and bore the marks of exhaustion and pain; but never had it
appeared more beautiful than now________
Every feature expressed gentleness and resignation and the tenderest pity for His cruel foes. In His manner there was no cowardly weakness, but the strength and dignity of long-suffering.” White, The Desire of Ages, p. 735.
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With deepest admiration, Pilate stretched out his hand toward the Savior and cried, “Behold the Man!”
But the priests had stirred the mob to a mad fury. “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” they bellowed.
Finally Pilate gave up. “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him}" he said, “for / find no crime in Him." J ohn 19:
6.
And they took Jesus, and led Him away to be crucified.
* * *
Oh Jesus, You wore the scarlet robe of my sins, that I might wear the white robe of Your righteousness. You wore the crown of shame that I might wear the crown of glory. You were mocked and scorned that I might be honored and exalted.
“What You, my Lord, have suffered, was all for sinner’s gain.
Mine, mine was the transgression, but Yours the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior! Tis I deserve Your place.
Look on me with Your favor; vouchsafe to me Your grace.”*
— Bernard of Clairvaux
♦Adapted from the hymn, “O Sacred Head,” second stanza.
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Lesson 22
Summary Sheet
Registration No.
Directions: In question 1 to 4, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	What was the cup that Jesus had to drink of?
A The cup of God’s wrath B The cup prepared for guilty man C The cup of the new covenant in His blood D The cup of separation from God. (Introduction)
2.	What were the causes of Christ’s agony in the garden?
A Christ had become one with sinners.
B Christ dreaded the mockery and abuse He was about to suffer.
C Christ was being separated from His Father.
D Christ was taking upon Himself all the punishment deserved by the guilty race.	(Introduction)
3.	Peter denied Christ because
A he was so self-confident, he did not know the falseness of his own heart.
B he had neglected to pray in the garden.
C he had decided he no longer wanted to be Christ’s disciple.
D he did not want to be recognized and arrested with his Master.	(Sections 1 & 3)
4.	What were some of the methods Pilate tried to release Jesus?
A	He tried to call in the army to rescue Him.
B	He tried to pass the responsibility of judging Him to
Herod.
C He tried to compromise with the Jews by having Him beaten.
D He tried to susbstitute an ugly murderer for Christ
(Section 4) 5
5.	Who brought the greatest pain to the heart of Christ? (Choose
one.)
A	Judas, by betraying Him.
B Peter, by denying that he knew Him.
C	Pilate, by having Him beaten.
D Caiaphas (the high priest) by condemning Him.
6.	Put the number of the correct word in the blank.
The Exchange Between Christ and Man
Christ was condemned for my sin that I might be justified by His____________
He suffered the death which was mine
that I might receive the_________ that
was His.
1.	blessing
2.	life
3.	righteousness
4.	glory
5.	innocent
He took the cüp of the curse so I might take the cup of_______
He was tried in the courts of men and pronounced guilty so that I might be tried in heaven’s court and pronounced ________
He wore the crown of shame that I might wear the crown of_________
2.	People rarely think to thank Jesus for His tremendous sacrifice. Could you express your thanks to Him in your own words right here?
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
Name..........................................................................
Full Address...................................................................
City...........................Postal Zone..............State..................
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
(Do not return your lesson booklets; they are yours to keep. Send only the Summary Sheets. They will be checked and promptly returned to you with your next lessons.)
LIGHT OF THE WORLD-23
FORME: HIS ALL
Early Friday morning the death march began. After placing a heavy wooden cross on Jesus’ lacerated back, four Roman soldiers took their positions about Him. Two thieves, also bearing crosses, followed. Leading the procession was a runner bearing a placard with Christ’s accusation: “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the lews. ” Priests, elders, and the rabble of Jerusalem joined the march, shouting, “Make way for the King!”
Loaded with infamy, Jesus went forth to die a criminal’s death. Yet even then His majesty could not be hidden. With the bounty of a king, the dying Savior gave gifts to men.
1 For Simon uf Catche: His Cross
The procession had barely started when Jesus fell fainting to the ground. The crowd expressed no sympathy. “What’s the matter, King of the Jews, can’t you manage two sticks of wood?” they jeered. The soldiers lifted Him up, and again laid the cross on His back. Again He fell.
Clearly, He was unable to carry His cross. Anyone who had been with Him through the long hours of the night could understand why. He had been dragged from place to place, scourged, and tormented, until human nature could bear no more.
The crowd stood wondering what to do. No one wanted to carry the degrading burden. Just then a stranger stepped up and expressed sympathy for the fainting Man under the cross. He was Simon of Cyrene, probably a Jew from North Africa who had saved and economized for years to be able to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. As he bent over the Savior, he suddenly felt the flat side of a spear on his shoulder. “You carry that cross!” snapped the soldier.
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Simon’s resentment flared. What right did this foreign oppressor have to force him to carry a load? Worse yet, the cross would defile him so that he could not take part in the Passover feast. And after he had looked forward to it for so long!
But Simon looked at Jesus once more, and his natural kindness took control. Without a word, he lifted the heavy cross from Jesus’ aching shoulders and carried the load for Him.
Ever afterward he was glad for what he had done. Though shut out from the symbolic ceremony, he had been an actor in the real drama. Though unable to watch the slaying of the ceremonial lamb, he had followed the true Lamb of God to the slaughter. And Christ’s cross did not defile Simon: it cleansed him. He learned that his old sinful self must be crucified with Christ. Romans 6:6.
As a result of that day’s experience, Simon became a new creature in Christ Jesus, along with his wife and two sons.*
Jesus gave Simon a precious gift that day — His cross.
♦See Mark 15:21 and Romans 16:13.
2 For His Enemies: Forgiveness
The procession snaked through the streets of Jerusalem, finally passing through the sheep gate to a hill called Golgotha, the Place of the Skull. There the soldiers laid the three crosses on the ground, stripped the prisoners of their clothing, and stretched them out on their crosses. The thieves wrestled in the hands of their tormentors, cursing madly all the while. But Jesus did not resist. One soldier held down His hands while another drove the cruel spikes through His tender flesh. Jesus did not cry out, but beads of sweat stood out on His forehead.
Then His lips moved. The soldiers stopped to listen.
“Forgive them, Father!" He whispered huskily. “They don't know what they are doing. ” Luke 23:34, T.E.V.
In those words He prayed for the whole world, for it was the sins of mankind that crucified Him. Forgiveness was His free gift to the world, but at what a cost to Him! According to the laws of the universe, sin must be paid for by death. The only reason He could cancel the debt was that He was paying the price in full. The only reason He could extend forgiveness was that He was taking the punishment.
Forgiveness for His enemies — forgiveness for the world — what a costly gift!
3	For the Soldiers:
All His Earthly Possessions
After the soldiers nailed the accusation over Jesus’ head, they lifted the cross over the hole prepared for it and let it drop. The jolt tore the flesh of the Son of God, causing His wounds to gape open.
Fresh blood dripped on the dirt as the soldiers tamped it solidly about the cross. Then, without any concern for the feelings of their Victim, they began to haggle over His clothes.
The only things Jesus passed on at His death were the clothes on His back. Everything else had been borrowed — from the manger He was born in, and the ass He had ridden, to the tomb He would soon be laid in. With much arguing the four soldiers managed to divide up the four small articles of His dress— the sandals, the turban, the girdle, and the inner tunic. But they all looked greedily at the great outer robe — so useful as a coat by day and a blanket by night. This one was especially valuable— a seamless robe woven of one piece.
Til take it!” asserted one.
“No you won’t! Let’s tear it in four parts!”
“That would spoil it. Let’s throw dice for it!” suggested another.
Dropping to the ground, they sat in a circle at the foot of the cross and shook the dice.
What a picture of human indifference! While the Savior of the world was dying for their souls, these soldiers played a game of dice. While the Lord of glory was giving away heavenly riches, they grabbed up His earthly rags! While their Redeemer held out to them forgiveness for sin, a righteous character, a life that measures with the life of God, they made off with a bloody robe, a sweaty turban, and a worn pair of sandals----
Of all who received gifts at the cross that day, they went away the poorest.
4	For the Thief:
A Place in Paradise
(Based on Luke 23:39-43)
In suffering hour after hour, Jesus had sweat and bled so much that He was dehydrated. His body raged with fever. His mouth was parched with thirst. More than anything, He craved from His crucifiers a cup of cold water. But they offered Him instead a bitter potion of vinegar mixed with *11..
At the same time Jesus thirsted for water, His soul suffered from a more terrible thirst — a thirst for love, a thirst for appreciation. Did anyone care about the infinite sacrifice He was making? Did anyone return the love He was pouring out with His blood? How He thirsted for one word of comfort! But instead they flung at Him bitter words of vinegar mixed with gall.
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“If Your are the Son of God come down from the cross!” Priests, elders, and scribes joined in the mockery.
“He saved others - He cannot save Himself! He is the King of Israel; let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him. He trusts in God; let God deliver Him now if He desires Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.' ” Matthew 27:
40-43.
Even the thieves on their crosses insulted Him. One of them, maddened by pain, taunted, “Aren't You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!”
Luke 23:39, T.E.V.
But something was happening in the heart of the other thief. As he looked at the Man on the middle cross, and recalled His patience, His silent endurance of the most excruciating pain, His forgiveness of His enemies, he was deeply moved. There was a nobility, a majesty that clung to Him, though He was stripped of His clothes and every human dignity. The thief read the writing over the middle cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews, ” and he believed it.
As the thief watched his strange Partner, He learned more about His identity and mission from the mockery of the priests. He saw that the names they called Him — “King of Israel,” “Messiah,” “Son of God” — were true. He realized that their statement was correct: Jesus was dying to save others, so He could not save Himself. With keen discernment, he saw that the priests were actually pouring out the secret conviction of their own souls. Though their words were intended as mockery, the thief recognized that they were true.
The dying thief looked at the dying.Savior and saw what everyone else refused to see: the Lord of a kingdom. He looked at his own life, black with sin and violence, and shuddered with the fear that he could never enter that kingdom.
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5 For His Mother: A Son
(Based on John 19:25-27)
Turning to the Savior he pleaded, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom/*
Jesus' heart was watered, His soul-thirst satisfied. One man, a thief, recognized Him as Lord and King and Savior. One man, a thief, had faith in His power to save. One man, a thief, appreciated His sacrifice.
With great joy the Savior opened the gates of Paradise to admit the first soul saved at the cross. The fact that he was a great sinner showed that Jesus was a great Savior. '7 assure you today,” He promised, ,(you will be with Me in Paradise!” Luke 23:43, B.V.*
The thief could enter the gates of heaven because Jesus was entering the gates of hell. The guilty one could choose to live, because the Innocent One had chosen to die in his place.
On the cross Jesus opened the gates of Paradise to every repenting sinner who looks to Him in faith.
Jesus was conscious of His mother's presence with Him that day. He knew that every lash of the whip cut through her soul, every nail driven through His flesh pierced her heart, every insult hurled at Him wounded her spirit. He had seen John carry her away, fainting, from the scene of His crucifixion, and He suffered more, knowing that she suffered.
Then, as He saw His beloved mother standing at the foot of the cross on the arm of His beloved disciple, He longed to comfort her.
He tried to speak, but His eyes filled with tears and His voice choked. Brokenly, between sobs, the words came out: “Woman... see... your son. ” Then He looked at John. uSee ... your mother. ” Verses 26 and 27, Bar.
Mary and John understood what He meant. Their new relationship brought comfort to them both. They had much in common, the young man and the older woman. Both were bosom companions of Christ. Of all the human family, they had enjoyed the closest intimacy with Him —
Mary during His youth, John during His manhood.
♦Since Jesus did not go to Paradise that day (John 20:17), we have moved the comma.
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6 For the Sinner: A Way of Escape
(Based on Mark 15:33-37)
Since Mary was John's aunt (the sister of his mother, Salome*) these two had always loved each other. But now they loved each other more because they both loved Jesus. They were no longer aunt and nephew, but mother and son.
Jesus had no wealth to leave for His mother; but He gave her a greater gift, the warm spiritual ties of the family of Christ which are even closer than ties of blood.
At noon an ominous darkness overspread the land. The sun, shining in full strength, suddenly seemed blotted from the sky. Dense darkness enveloped the cross.
This was more than physical darkness. It was the darkness of sin, the darkness that separates from God, the darkness that men love rather than light. Ever since sin entered the world, men have sought relief from God's presence in the darkness. Yet this darkness is really a dungeon, leading into a tomb, haunted by the demons of despair and death.
Now this darkness closed in about Jesus, filling His soul with a shuddering, mysterious dread. To rescue the prisoners of sin, He had to feel the horror of great darkness, the wrath of God against sin, the terrors of death, the agony of separation from God. Jesus, the Light of the World, was smothered in darkness. Jesus, the Righteous One, was enveloped in sin.
♦Compare John 19:25 with Mark 15:40 and Matthew 27:56.
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In the awful darkness He could not see His Father’s reconciling face. He could not see one crack in the tomb, one ray of light. Knowing how offensive sin is to a holy God, He feared that His identification with it had doomed Him to eternal death.
The sense of God’s wrath against sin filled the Son with consternation. In despair He cried out, “My God, My God, why did You forsake Me?” Matthew 27:46, Phi. So great was His mental agony that His physical pain was hardly felt.
He did not know that His Father’s heart was torn by that cry. He did not know that the separation was as agonizing to the Father as to Himself. All He knew was that there was no answer to His despairing question.
The Voice from heaven was silent.
He was alone.
In that darkness of three hours — three hours that seemed like an eternity — an amazing transaction took place. “For our sake [God] made [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
2	Corinthians 5:21. Jesus, the Sinless One, became sin itself, so that all who identify with Him might become righteous.
Alone in the darkness where no man could fojlow Him, and where God Himself was cut off from Him, Jesus worked out man’s salvation.
He tasted death for every man. He suffered the punishment for every sin. He felt the horror of divine wrath. And by doing all this, He made a way of escape for sinners.
Because of what He suffered, no sinner ever needs to be crushed by his sins. No sinner ever needs to go down into darkness. No sinner ever needs to be shut off from God. For sinners there is hope and light and life. Christ destroys the sin and makes the sinner righteous.
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ADVENTIST HERITAGE CENTER
7 For the Dying: A Fountain of Life (Based on John 19:31-37)
At three o’clock in the afternoon, the darkness began to lift. Jesus revived to a sense of physical pain. Weakly, His parched mouth hardly able to form the words, He cried,
'7 thirst. ” A soldier wet His lips with a sponge dipped in vinegar.
Suddenly the sun shone forth in full strength. Jesus’ depression lifted.
By faith He saw that He had won a great victory. By faith He saw that He would come forth from the tomb a conqueror, leading a multitude of redeemed ones with Him. Summoning the last of His strenght, He cried with a loud voice, “It is finished/” J ohn 19:30.
Then, as He felt life ebbing away,
He prayed, “Father, / commend My spirit into Your hands. ” Luke 23:46,Phi. His head slumped to His breast and He died.
The lifeless form of Jesus, stretched out upon the cross, revealed man’s hatred and God’s love. Those hands that had touched blind eyes with healing and caressed baby hair in blessing, were spiked to the crossbar. Those feet that had plodded tirelessly over mountain and valley on ministries of mercy, were nailed to the stake. Those lips that had pleaded forgiveness for tormentors and mockers, were stilled in death.
That heart that could love its enemies was also laid bare at the cross, that all might gaze into its depths. A Roman soldier tore it open. Heartlessly, just to make sure the Savior was dead, he jabbed a spear into His side.
Then a strange thing happened.
As if to bathe the very spear that pierced Him, as if to wash away the guilt of the world that had slain Him, blood and water gushed from the heart of Christ. Blood and water to wash away sin. Blood and water to impart new life. From Jesus’ broken heart flowed life to a world dying in sin.
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8	Fo* Me: His A'i
Once before, life had streamed from the heart of Christ — when He created the world and imparted life to all His creatures. Yet, in the work of creation, His powers were not exhausted. He used the smallest part of His energy — He merely spoke the seven “words” of creation — and a world teeming with life came into existence.
But in the work of redemption, all His powers were exhausted. When He finished speaking the seven “words” of the cross, all His divine energy was spent.
On the cross He poured out forgiveness to the world, and took condemnation to Himself. He gave heaven to the thief and took hell for Himself
____He gave up His clothing and was
left naked. He gave up His mother and was left homeless. He gave the water of life and was left parched with thirst. He gave up His spirit and His very life-blood, and was left-dead.
At the cross God emptied Himself: God gave until there was nothing more to give. Heaven exhausted its resources in the work of saving sinners.
And every child of humanity, gazing at his crucified Lord, may say, “All this He did for me. He placed an infinite value on my life. He paid for it with His life — the life of God.”
9	For Him: My All
Oh Jesus, it was my sins that nailed You to the cross, that shut You out from Your Father's presence, that broke Your heart.
The sacrifice You made was too great, the price too high, for an unworthy sinner like me. Here at the foot of the cross I bów in sorrow and contrition and love. I beg that for me the great sacrifice might not be in vain. In exchange for Your great gift, I give You a pitiful one (though I know You will not despise it) — my polluted heart to be cleansed, my sinful self to be recreated in Your image. Take it all, for it is Yours. “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my life, my soul, my all.”
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'7 am the light of the world” — Jesus Christ
Lesson 23	Summary Sheet	Registration No.
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	Some who brought comfort to Jesus on the day of His crucifixion were
A Simon, for bearing His cross.
B the priests, for calling Him “king of the Jews.”
C the thief, for believing in Him.
D John, for taking care of His mother.
2.	What did Jesus accomplish in the darkness of the cross?
A He worked out man’s salvation.
B He tasted of death for every man.
C	He suffered the punishment for every sin.
D	He made it possible for God to love men. (Section 6)
3.	While He was on the cross, how did Jesus change places with us?
A He took hell and gave us heaven.
B He took our condemnation and gave us forgiveness.
C He took our diseases and gave us health.
D He took our death and gave us life. (Section 8)
4.	Who crucified Jesus?
A The Jewish rulers were the only ones responsible.
B The Romans (Pilate and the soldiers) were guilty.
C Since the devil incited men, he shares the blame.
D You and I crucified! Him with our sins.
5.	How did the lifeless form of Jesus show men’s hatred?
A Men nailed to the tree the hands that had blessed them.
B Men broke the legs that had walked tirelessly to serve them.
C Men silenced the lips that had pleaded forgiveness for them.
D Men stabbed the heart that had loved them. (Section 7) 6
6.	How did the lifeless form of Jesus show God’s love?
A It showed that Jesus was willing to go to any lengths to save men.
B It showed that it was easy for God to forgive sin.
C It showed that the forgiving heart of Christ washed the spear that pierced it.
D It showed that the Father endured watching the torture of His Son for the sake of man’s salvation.
Your response (not graded):
1. Think about these statements a little while. Which ones really strike you?
A Sin must be really awful — look what it did to Jesus!
B The cross means good news for me: I can escape the punishment for my sins.
C I must be very precious to God — look at the price He paid for me!
D I ought to love people as God does.
E	I owe Jesus a great debt of love for what He did for me.
F	The best way I can repay that debt is to give Him control
of my life.
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ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
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ny *
BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICttt€SftN
0235ju.
HERITAGE ROOM
pjKnpmetb
LIGHT OF THE WORLD-24
"LET THERE BE LIGHT!”
Three crosses where three men writhed in pain stood against an angry sky. Suddenly the Man on the middle cross cried out: "It is finished!” His face lighted up with a glory like the sun. Then the light faded and His head slumped to His breast.
The Creator of heaven and earth was dead. The Light of the World had gone out. Darkness covered the earth.
But deeper than the outward darkness was the gloom in the hearts of Jesus’ disciples. Their bright hopes had changed to black despair. How quickly had the cries of "Hosanna to the Son of David!” changed to "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”
How cruelly had their dream of a coronation been mocked! The royal robe for Jesus had been an old purple rag, His scepter a reed, His crown a wreath of thorns, His throne a cross. And instead of beginning His everlasting reign, He had bowed His head and died.
"With the death of Christ the hopes of His disciples perished.
They looked upon His closed eyelids and drooping head, His hair matted with blood, His pierced hands and feet, and their anguish was indescribable. Until the last they had not believed that He would die; they could hardly believe that He was really dead.” White, The Desire of Ages, page 772.
While they stood in stunned grief near the cross, they were horrified to see a Roman soldier thrust a spear into the heart of Christ to make sure He was dead. Must the body of their Lord suffer further indignities, they wondered? Would He be tossed into a criminal’s grave? They wrung their hands.
J ust then two old men came to the cross. The disciples recognized them as Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both men of influence and wealth. These two men had come to give Jesus an honorable burial. Lovingly they lowered His mangled body from the cross. As they bathed Him, bound spices about His body, and laid Him in Joseph’s own new tomb, their tears of sorrow fell fast. Could it be that those hands of mercy were forever folded upon His breast, that His sweet voice was forever silenced, and those loving eyes forever closed?
Jesus' friends took one last look at their Lord, and then a great stone was rolled against the door of the tomb, shutting them out from the One they loved. He was gone! The center of their lives was torn out!
In black despair they returned to the upper room to weep and to mourn.
The priests and rulers had enclosed themselves in another kind of darkness — the darkness of hatred and revenge. They enjoyed their revenge against Christ until a horrible thought came to them: everything Jesus had predicted — the mocking, the scourging, the crucifixion — had come to pass. He had also said, “The third day I shall rise again." What if He should rise from the dead? The thought tormented them.
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They determined that Jesus must not come out of that tomb. On Sabbath afternoon they went to Pilate for help. “Sir," they said, “we remember how that imposter said, while He was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.' Therefore order the sepulchre to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal Him away, and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead. ’ ” Matthew 27:63, 64. Pilate commanded to make the grave as secure as they could.
By the time the sun set Sabbath evening, the priests had finished their work of closing Jesus in His tomb. Across the stone they placed ropes which were fastened to the solid rock and sealed with the Roman seal. A guard of Roman soldiers stood watch around the tomb. Another guard joined them — the prince of darkness and his angels. Thick darkness enveloped the tomb. The night wore slowly away.
Then, on this first day of the week, God said, as He had in the beginning,
“Let there be light!”
For suddenly there was a blinding flash of light. The angel of the Lord descended from heaven. “His appear-ance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. ” Matthew 28:3. The hosts of darkness fled before the light. The Roman guard fell powerless to the ground. The Roman seal snapped and the stone rolled away at the touch of the angel’s finger.
And then, as the stricken soldiers watched, the One whom they had mocked and tortured rose from His stony bed and stood in glorious majesty before them. They heard Him declare over the open tomb, “I am the resurrection and the life. ”
John 11:25.
Evil men and angels could not hold back the risen Christ any more than darkness can hold back the light. The Light of the World was shining again.
But not all could see the light. Some, by rejecting the light, doomed themselves to permanent blindness. Others lingered in the darkness of doubt and grief until Jesus dispelled the gloom.
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(Based on John 20:11-18)
The light had gone out of Mary’s life. She loved Jesus with all the devotion of her warm, affectionate nature. A few days before, she had poured out her love on His living body with perfume — a most expensive, impractical gift. Now, with a woman’s heart, guided more by emotion than reason, she wanted to lavish her love and grief on His dead body. And although some might accuse her of being sentimental and extravagant, Jesus honored her devotion. First in love for Him, first at the tomb, she was the disciple to whom the Lord first appeared.
When Mary arrived at the tomb in the dimness of early dawn, she was astonished to find the guards gone, the stone rolled away, and the tomb empty. Immediately she rushed away to tell the disciples. She was not there when the angel told some other women the exciting news that Jesus had risen.
Still wrapped in grief, she returned to the tomb and stood weeping at the entrance. She felt deprived not only of her living Lord, but of the precious remains of her dead Lord as well.
Mary’s eyes were so blinded by grief that she could not see the light shining all around her. The empty tomb was trying to tell her, "The Lord is risen!” but to her it spoke of fresh tragedy. Angels tried to console her, but she turned away even from them. Jesus Himself came to comfort her. “Woman, why are you weeping?” He asked.
To Mary’s eyes, blurred by tears, He appeared to be only the gardener. “Sir, ” she sobbed, “if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and / will take Him away. ”
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Tenderly Jesus spoke: “Mary!”
And that one word — her name spoken in the dear, familiar tone she knew so well — flooded the darkness of her soul with light. Turning, she saw before her the risen Christ. Springing toward Him, as if to embrace His feet, she cried out, "Rabboni! My great One!”
Mary’s trouble was not that Jesus was far away, but that she could not see Him through her tears. “To how many might the Savior’s words be spoken, 'Why are you weeping? Whom do you seek?1 John 20:15 He is close beside them, but their tear-blinded eyes do not discern Him. He speaks to them, but they do not understand. Oh that the bowed head might be lifted, that the eyes might be opened to behold Him, that the ears might listen to His voice!” White, The Desire of Ages, page 794.
The meaning of the resurrection is that our Lord is ever near us. He satisfies the soul’s longings; He fills the heart’s emptiness. Grief disappears in His presence, as darkness before the light.
For Peter the light went out when the cock crowed. It was torture to his heart to know that he had caused his Lord the greatest pain. Alone in his misery, he had stayed away from the cross. And before he could receive assurance of forgiveness, he learned that Christ was dead. Peter almost doubted whether he could still call himself a disciple. Would the others take him back after his shameful sin? Would Jesus accept him again? Added to Peter's grief was the darkness of remorse.
Jesus understood the tormented soul of Peter. For him there was a special message of comfort that resurrection morning. "Tell His disciples and Peter,” the angels said.
“Tell His disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee. ”
Mark 16:7.
Later that day Jesus appeared especially to Peter. (See Luke 24:
34) Peter learned that the forgiveness he had seen in Jesus’ eyes moments after the denial was real. His sin was pardoned. Jesus led Peter out of the night of sin and remorse into the light of a new day.
(Based on Luke 24:13-49)
The light had gone out for Cleopas and his friend. They had attended the Passover in Jerusalem with the hope of seeing Jesus crowned king. Now, their hopes crushed, they were returning to their home town of Emmaus late Sunday afternoon. “We had hoped that He was the One to redeem Israel, ” they mourned. Luke 24:21. As they stumbled along the rough road, they wept. They were walking in the darkness of discouragement.
A Stranger joined them. But they were so absorbed in their gloom and disappointment that they did not observe Him closely. The living Christ was by their side while they mourned for Him as dead.
Jesus longed to cheer His friends, but He wanted to enlighten their minds before comforting their hearts. Before revealing to them Himself, He wanted to reveal to them the sacred Scriptures.
“Oh foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” He reproved. “Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, He interpreted
to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. ” Luke 24:25-27. He opened to their wondering eyes the meaning of many familiar passages. He traced through the whole Old Testament the blood drops of the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. ” Revelation 13:8, K.J.V.
Though the sun went down as they journeyed, Cleopas and his companion began to see light piercing the gloom. The mystery of recent events began to clear before their eyes. So interested were they in the words of the Stranger that they reached Emmanus long before they wanted to part from Him. Never had anyone warmed their hearts as He did. They begged Him to lodge them that night. Finally He yielded.
They lighted candles in their dark little house and rushed to make their Guest comfortable. Soon a simple meal of bread was set before Him. As He raised His hands to bless the food, something in His gesture seemed familiar. Cleopas and his friend stared at their Guest —and light burst into their souls! There in His hands were the prints of the nails! They rose to cast themselves at His feet, but He vanished from their eyes.
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“Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road\ while He opened to us the Scriptures?” they exclaimed. Luke 24:32. They forgot their aching legs and hungry stomachs. In the darkness of night, the men with the light in their hearts scrambled once more over the rough mountain trail to Jerusalem to bring word to the eleven disciples of their exciting discovery.
It was late when they reached the upper room. They knocked on the door and whispered their names. Cautiously the door opened to admit them, and was barred again. Many of the disciples gathered there were still gloomy and perplexed. Others were excited. “The Lord has risen indeed\ and has appeared to Simon!” someone was saying. Luke 24:34.
As they talked, Jesus Himself stood among them. Several screamed in fear that they had seen a spirit. “Why are
you troubled?” Jesus asked. “See My hands and My feet, that it is / Myself ” Verses 38 and 39.
Suddenly Cleopas and his friend realized a wonderful truth. Though they could not always see Jesus, He was right beside them. He had been with them on the seven-mile journey back to Jerusalem. He had walked through the door with them. Though they might not always see Him with the eye of flesh, from now on they could always see Him with the eye of faith. Jesus, the Light of the World, would always shine in their hearts. Never again would they walk in the darkness of discouragement.
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ADVENTIST
HERITAGE CENTER
4 Thomas Comes Out of the Darkness (Based on John 20:19-29)
Thomas moped in darkness the longest of all the disciples. He had not been in the upper room that Sunday evening when Christ had appeared to his friends. He refused to believe the stories of the women and the other disciples. Why would Christ appear to them and not to him? he questioned.
It must be that the others were all deluded. “Unless / see in His hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in His side, ” he asserted, “I will not believe. ” John 20:25. For another dreary week, Jhomas brooded in the darkness of doubt.
The following Sunday night Thomas decided to meet with his brethren in the upper room. While the disciples were talking of the evidences Christ had given them in the prophecies,
Jesus once again came and stood in their midst. “Peace be with you, ” He said.
Then Jesus turned to Thomas.
“Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side; do not be faithless, but believing. ” John 20:27. Thomas blushed as he realized that Jesus had heard his defiant words. Then he looked into the face of His risen Savior, and all the doubt and darkness vanished. In joy he threw himself at Jesus’ feet, exclaiming in faith, “My Lord and my God!” Verse 28.
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It was not an accident that Thomas remained in darkness the longest of all. Of all the kinds of darkness, doubt and unbelief are the most difficult to dispel. They cut the soul off from God. " Without faith it is impossible to please Him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those' who seek Him. ” Hebrews 11:6.
But Jesus can dispel even the darkness of doubt for all those who will plead, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24.
* * *
To every child of God, the resurrection has deep meaning. The living Christ says to you: “Lo, / am with you always. ” “! will never fail you nor forsake you.” Matthew 28: 20; Hebrews 13:5. Why should you walk in the darkness of despair, or grief, or remorse, or discouragement, or doubt when the Light of the World is shining all around you? Let Him say to your darkened soul:
“Let there be light!”
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”1 am the light of the world” — Jesus Christ
Lesson 24	Summary Sheet	Registration No.
Directions: In questions 1,2, and 6 below, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	How securely was Jesus imprisoned in the tomb?
A A great stone was rolled against the entrance.
B	Iron bars were placed in the window.
C	The stone was held in place by a Roman seal.
D A guard of Roman soldiers and evil angels stood
watch.	(Introduction)
2.	At the approach of one angel
A the hosts of darkness fled.
B the Roman guard fell powerless to the ground.
C the great stone rolled away.
D the grieving women rejoiced.	(Introduction)
3.	Through her tears, Mary looked at the dark side of things.
Column 1 states what she saw. Look at Column 2: how she interpreted it, and find the statement from Column 4 that fits.
Write the number in the blank. Do the same with Column 3,
The Actual Fact, until the four blanks are filled.
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3 Column 4
What Marv Saw	How She Interpreted It	The Actual Fact
The tomb was		1. He was the gardener.
empty.		2. Christ had risen.
A man tried to		3. It was the Lord.
console her.		4. Someone had stolen
		His body.
(Note: Do you ever look at the dark side of things?)
4.	Matching. What kinds of darkness enclosed these people?
the priests Mary Magdalene Peter
Cleopas and friend Thomas
Which of these is the most difficult to dispel?
1.	remorse
2.	doubt
3.	grief
4.	hatred and revenge
5.	discouragement
Matching. How did Jesus drive away the darkness from these people?	
Marv	1. He explained the prophecies concerning Himself in Scripture.
Peter	2. He revealed Himself through the tone of His voice.
Cleopas and friend	3. He showed the scars in His hands and side.
Thomas	4. He gave the assurance of forgiveness.
What meaning does the resurrection have to us today?	
A Though we cannot see Him, Jesus is always near.
B We need never walk in the darkness of despair, doubt, and grief.
C Christ will never fail us or forsake us.
D We need never suffer from trials and temptations.
(Last page)
PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS:
Name...........................................................................
Full Address...................................................................
City............................Postal Zone.............State..................
ANSWER THE ABOVE QUESTIONS. FILL IN YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. DETACH THIS QUESTION SHEET AND MAIL IT TO:
The Voice of Prophecy, Box 1200, Singapore.
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BERRIEN SPRINGS, MICHIGAN
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Pamphlets
LIGHT OF THE WORLD - 25
HEAVEN CAME DOWN
Peter and his friends walked along the shore of Galilee, watching the sun set over the lake. The scene was so beautiful, so familiar, that it was painful. Everything reminded them of Jesus.
Tied up by the pier were many boats, Peter’s among them. The sight brought back many memories: Peter could almost see Jesus sitting on the prow, preaching to the crowds on shore; or the miraculous catch of fish that almost sank the boat; or Jesus sleeping in the stern while the storm raged. He stepped up close and looked inside. There on the back bench was the battered old pillow that had cushioned his Master’s head. The sight was too much for him.
“I am going fishing,” he announced quite suddenly. Peter always found relief for his emotions in action.
“We will go with you.” The others were equally anxious to break the spell of sadness.
They all climbed into the boat and rowed vigorously out into deep wat$r. All through the dark hours of the night they worked, throwing out the nets and drawing them in. They tried to throw off their depression by hard work. But they failed. They did not catch a single fish. And their longing for Jesus only increased.
In the gray dawn of morning as they approached the land, they heard Someone calling from the shore, “Have you any fish, lads?”
They called back, “No.”
“Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some,” the Stranger advised.
Indifferently, they followed His suggestion. Suddenly they felt the wild thrashing of a whole school of fish.
“It is the Lord!” exclaimed John. Peter jumped out of the boat and swam to meet Him. He was so happy! Every time Jesus came, their failure was turned to success.
I jcsus Recommissions His Men (Based on John 21:1-17)
When the others reached land, they noticed a charcoal fire burning, with fish frying and bread baking. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have caught.’’ Peter and his companions counted out a hundred fifty-three large fish, while Jesus scaled and cleaned several more for the meal He was preparing. Then He called, “Come and have breakfast.”
As they ate, their hearts were warmed. Jesus, their resurrected Lord, was still the servant of all, with His own hands building a fire and preparing breakfast.
The disciples could not forget the first time Jesus performed this miracle, or His words, “Follow Me, and / will make you fishers of men,” Now, in this experience, they felt the call once more to leave their nets and follow Him.
As the men sat around the fire,
Jesus spoke to Peter. "Simon, son of John, ” He began, addressing him very formally, "do you love Me more than these?” — and He gestured toward the other disciples.
Peter knew that Jesus had reason to doubt his love. In spite of his boasts that he would be the most loyal disciple of all, he had denied his Lord. His habit of boasting had died with that awful experience. He did not boast now. He only answered quietly, “Yes Lord; You know that Hove You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
Jesus paused, and then asked again,
"Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”
Again Peter answered with quiet feeling, "Yes, Lord; You know that Hove You.”
And Jesus said, “Tend My sheep.”
For the third time Jesus pressed the question, like a barbed arrow into Peter’s wounded heart. "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”
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Peter knew why the Lord asked the question three times. In a voice husky with emotion, he answered, 'lord, You know everything; You know that / love You. ” His eyes looked pleadingly into the eyes of his Master, hoping that this threefold confession would wipe out the three-fold denial.
Jesus knew Peter’s heart. He knew that Peter loved Him withall the ardor of his warm, impulsive nature. He knew that Peter’s heart had been broken as a result of his failure, and He did not enjoy probing the wound. But He also knew that the other disciples questioned Peter’s right to be an apostle, and that Peter himself wondered whether he could ever again be reinstated in his former position. In this way, painful though it was, Jesus showed the disciples that Peter had “turned again,” and was now ready to strengthen his brethren. (See Luke 22:32)
‘Teed My sheep, ” Jesus said. By these three strange commands, Jesus told Peter that his love qualified him to be a shepherd of God’s flock. Jesus Himself was the Good Shepherd who had laid down His life for the sheep. John 10:11. Now Jesus was committing His precious sheep to Peter and the other disciples, telling them they must be faithful under-shepherds.
From the experience that morning, the disciples saw that they were commissioned to “catch men” with the skill of a fisherman, and care for them with the tenderness of a shepherd.
2 A Vision of the Task (Based on Matthew 28:16-20)
From all over the country, little companies of people made their way to a certain mountain in Galilee. Jesus had appointed the time and the place, and the angels at the tomb of the risen Christ had repeated the message: “He is going before.you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you. ” Mark 16:7. The disciples had spread the word around so that about five hundred people came to see the risen Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 15:6)
When they arrived at the place, they stood in little groups on the mountain side, eager to hear all the news about Christ from those who had seen Him. Suddenly Jesus stood among them.
“AH authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me, ” He announced. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, / am with you always, to the dose of the age. ” Matthew 28:19, 20.
The days of Christ’s humiliation were ended. No more did He say,
'7 can do nothing on My own authority.” John 5:30. His unique experience as the God-man gave Him new rights and authority. He now had power, not only to create, but to recreate men in the image of God. He had the right to break open the tomb and release the captives of death. He had power to draw all men to Him by His cross. And He had authority to be man’s representative before God, the Middle Man between heaven and earth, uniting man to God once more.
“Go and make disciples of all nations,n He commanded. Jesus had a vision that He wanted to become a reality — the vision of "a great multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes.n Revelation 7:9. He saw not only great nations, but small tribes of the mountains and jungles, and commanded that every one be reached by the gospel of the Kingdom. For the Kingdom of Heaven would not be complete unless every nation, tribe, and tongue were represented.
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3	The Strategy for the Task (Based on Acts 1:1-11)
The disciples were overwhelmed at the magnitude of the task. No human talent, no human organization, especially their humble little group, was adequate for the challenge. How could it be done?
Then they reconsidered His words, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore!” He seemed to be saying,
“I have the authority, the power — so you go. Go, not in your power, but in My power. All power in heaven and on earth — that is enough for the task.”
The disciples realized that somehow Jesus would give them that power.
On the fortieth day after His resurrection, Jesus kept His last appointment with His disciples, this time in Jerusalem. On this occasion He laid out before them the strategy for the preaching of the gospel to all the world.
“Do not depart from Jerusalem, ” He said, “but wait for the promise of the Father which you heard from Me. For... you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. ” Verses 4, 5, and 8.
Before they set out to conquer the world for Christ — before they even preached one sermon — they were to meet together and pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit not one heart would be touched, not one life changed, however great their efforts. Jesus set forth the principle that every effort made to advance the Kingdom must be done through the power of the Holy Spirit.
“You shall be My witnesses,"
He continued. Here is a second principle of the divine strategy for conquering the world. God’s people must speak as witnesses: they must tell what they themselves have
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experienced of Christ. "Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, ” Jesus commands every follower. Mark 5:19. Personal testimony has more power than lifeless theory.
Then Jesus outlined their territory. "You shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. ”
"In Jerusalem” they must begin. Jerusalem, the city of Christ's murderers! Jerusalem, the dangerous city that persecuted and killed God's messengers! Yet Jesus knew that there were thousands in Jerusalem, even among the priests, even among His murderers, who would repent and be saved.
Jesus’ plan of action could be restated: “Begin right where you are — in your family, and in your home town.” This is often the hardest place. It was for Jesus Himself. His own brothers ridiculed Him. But by His patient witness, He finally won them.
From Jerusalem the disciples were to go to J udea — from the city to the whole nation. Then they must go to Samaria, their national enemy. Jesus broke down all barriers of nationality, race, and religion. Finally they were to go to every “nation and tribe and tongue and people.” They must ever have the world-wide vision, or God's Kingdom on earth would die.
This strategy was to be followed by the disciples of all ages, until the task on earth would be done.
After talking lovingly, fervently with His disciples, Jesus led them out of the city, through old familiar paths, to the Mount of Olives. As the disciples saw again the grapevine, Gethsemane, and other glens and dales, it seemed to them that the whole mountain was hallowed by their Master's prayers and tears.
Finally, on a lower slope by Bethany, Jesus gathered His disciples about Him for the last time. Perhaps He prayed for them once more, committing them to God’s care. Then, while His arms were still outstretched in blessing, He slowly rose from their midst. His work on earth was done.
He would no longer be dropping by for visits with them. He was returning to heaven, to sit down at the right hand of God.
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The disciples watched as He ascended farther and farther into the sky. They strained their eyes for a final glimpse of their departing Lord. Then a cloud hid Him from their sight. He was gone! Tears rolled down their cheeks as they gazed into the empty skies.
But then they heard a voice, full of comfort and cheer: “Men of
Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven. ” Acts 1:11.
Looking down, they saw two men in white robes standing by their side. Something about them seemed familiar. Yes indeed — they were the very same ones who had sat by the empty tomb to tell them their Lord had risen. They were angels!
Suddenly their tears of loneliness turned to tears of joy. A tremendous realization swept over them.
Heaven and earth were no longer far apart!
Angels were right by their side!
The Holy Spirit was coming soon to be their new Comforter, Counselor, and Guide!
Jesus Himself would some day come again in the clouds of heaven!
Still another thought warmed their hearts. Their dear familiar Lord had gone to heaven to sit down at the right hand of God. They now had a Friend — a very personal, intimate Friend — by the throne of God.
Their Jesus, the one who had prepared them breakfast with His own hands, the one who had toiled up the hill with them that very day — had gone to sit on the throne of the universe.
And because He seemed so close, so real, heaven too seemed close and real.
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4 Jesus enthroned zï God’s Right hboci
Jesus ascended to heaven with a host of adoring angels. They had planned a joyous welcome for Him.
One company of angels escorted Him to the Holy City. Another company waited for Him at the gates. As the escorting company drew near to the city, they burst into a chorus of praise:
“Lift up your heads, 0 gates! and be lifted up, 0 ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in.”
The welcoming angels inside the city responded:
“Who is the King of glory?” — not because they did not know, but because they loved to hear the answer:
“The Lord, strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle!
"Lift up your heads, 0 gates!
And be lifted up, 0 ancient doors! that the King of glory may come in. ”
Again the welcoming angels sang out the challenge:
“Who is this King of glory?” for they never weary of hearing His name exalted.
And the escorting angels answered:
“The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory!” Psalm 24:7-10.
Then the waiting sentinels threw open the gates while the angelic throng swept through with a burst of rapturous music.
For days the ceremonies continued. When Jesus came to earth as God’s representative to man, earth prepared no welcome to receive Him. But when He'returned to heaven as man’s representative to God, heaven received Him with all the pageantry due His rank.
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ADVENTIST
HERITAGE CEN7R
Jesus had won the office through struggle and sacrifice. Up until this time, Satan had intruded himself into the heavenly councils as the representative from earth. He had made it his function to accuse God’s people,* to prove that they were loyal to him rather than to God.
But now Satan was expelled from the heavenly councils. Jesus, the God-man, was the only true representative of earth in heaven. During the great installation ceremony, a loud voice in heaven announced, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.” Revelation 12:10.
God’s people no longer have an accuser standing before the Judge, trying to secure their condemnation. Instead they have an advocate to plead their cause and obtain mercy.
If any man sins, “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous1 John 2:1.
Jesus Christ, as man’s representative and advocate before the throne of God, is the solution to the sin problem.
For sins that have been committed,
He offers pardon and cleansing. 1 John 1:9. But more than this, He has power to keep men from sinning. ‘‘Because He Himself has suffered and been tempted, He is able to help those who are tempted.” Hebrews 2:18. In order to be able to give instant help in any emergency, He has opened up a ‘‘hot line” to the throne. Any man can call on Him at any time, and He is never off duty. “He is able for ait time to save those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. ” Hebrews 7:25. Through this new line of communication, the humblest child of earth can have direct access to his representative at the throne.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ” Hebrews 4:16. That ‘‘hot line” to the throne is prayer.
*See job 1:6-11 and Zechariah 3:1.
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Jesus does more than help with the sin problem. He is in charge of heaven’s aid program. “When He ascended on high... He gave gifts to men. ” Ephesians 4:8. He is the one who opens heaven’s storehouse to pour out rich blessings on the underprivileged of earth. All requests for aid should be directed to Him. One gift He is more willing to give than His children are to request: the Holy Spirit. In this one gift are contained all heaven’s resources. Through the Holy Spirit, men can do the deeds of Omnipotence.
At the conclusion of the celestial ceremonies, Jesus was officially seated as earth’s ambassador to heaven. The Father “made Him sit at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion." Esphesians 1:20, 21.
Hebrews 1:6 And then the Father
commanded,“Let all God's angels worship Him. ”
With joy unutterable, the heavenly hosts prostrated themselves before Him. Then they united their voices in a mighty chorus of praise that made heaven’s arches ring.
At that moment, Jesus opened up the floodgates, and heaven’s joy overflowed to earth. In an upper room in Jerusalem, where the disciples were united in prayer, there came a sound from heaven “like the rush of a mighty wind' and it filled all the house where they were sitting...
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. ” Acts 2:2, 4.
Once again God came down to earth to be with His people. The Holy Spirit, the mighty Third Person of the Godhead, had come to direct the great work of winning men’s hearts for the Kingdom.
* * *
Jesus, are You there? Can You hear my voice?... How thrilling to have direct access to the throne of God!
Lord, make me a vessel, clean and pure, to be filled with Your Spirit. If I cannot hold very much, let me overflow a lot____
But I long for a greater capacity to know God. I long to receive more so that I can give more. Oh Lord, enlarge the vessel!
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'7 am the light of the world” — Jesus Christ
Lesson 25
Summary Sheet
Registration No.
Directions: In the following questions, three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	Why did Jesus ask Peter three times if he loved Him?
A Peter had given Jesus reason to doubt his love.
B Jesus enjoyed probing the wound of Peter’s failure.
C Peter’s three-fold confession of love would wipe out the three-fold denial.
D He wanted to show the other disciples that Peter was worthy to be reinstated as one of them. (Section 1)
2.	What task did Jesus commission His disciples to do?
A Catch men with the skill of a fisherman.
B Care for the “sheep” and “lambs” with the tenderness of a shepherd.
C Make disciples of all nations.
D Wipe out poverty and social injustice. (Sections 1 & 2)
3.	What strategy for the task did Jesus instruct His disciples to follow?
A First of all, receive power from the Holy Spirit.
B Be witnesses of what they had known and experienced of Christ.
C Begin the work by going to foreign lands.
D Work for all nationalities, races, and religions. (Section 3) 4
4.	What happened after Jesus ascended to heaven?
A The disciples grieved for many days.
B Satan was expelled as earth’s representative in the heavenly councils.
C Jesus sat down at the right hand of God.
D The Holy Spirit came down to earth with power.
(Sections 3 & 4)
5.	What work is Jesus doing now in heaven?
A Standing ready to answer any call for help.
B Pleading for mercy for repentant sinners.
C Pouring out heaven’s blessings to all who request them. D Pouring out vengeance on those who reject Him.
(Section 4)
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LIGHT OF THE WORLD*— 26
KING OF KINGS
In the long-distant past, before the world was born, there was harmony in God's universe. The angels loved to worship their great and glorious God and carry out His commands. The divine Son of God, in His role as God's representative to created beings, was especially close to the angels. Long before He became a Man among men, He seems to have been an Angel to the angels, taking the name Michael, the Archangel — Chief of the angels.
One angel was especially close to Michael: Lucifer, also known as Day Star, Son of the Morning. (See Isaiah 14:12, K.J.V., R.S.V.) He was the covering cherub who stood next to the throne of God and covered His glory. Ezekiel 28:14,
K.J .V. Lucifer was also the leader of the heavenly choirs, the "Morning Stars" who sang together. (See Job 38:7) The Son of God also called Himself "the bright Morning Star. " Revelation 22:16. Perhaps He united His voice with the other “Morning Stars'' in the great heavenly anthems.
Michael, the Son of God and Chief over all the angels; and Lucifer, the most exalted angel of heaven, were closely associated with each other. Lucifer had the privilege of entering “Eden, the garden of God," and also "the holy mountain of God" which is “the mount of assembly in the far north" where God's throne is. Ezekiel 28:13,14; Isaiah 14:13.
But he was not allowed to sit on the throne or enter the deliberations of the Most High.
It was not long before strange thoughts invaded the mind of Lucifer. He became conscious of his beauty and was filled with pride. Ezekiel 28:17. Since he was so intimate with the Son of God, he thought he was entitled to all the prerogatives of God. Because he was not allowed to enter the divine councils, he felt discriminated against. He thought he was just as deserving of honor and worship as the Son of God. He suggested doubts to the other angels about the authority of the Son of God.
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1 The Disputed Coronation
Thus it was necessary for God to make clear to the angels the true position of His Son. In imagination, we can see Him call all the hosts of heaven together to the “mount of assembly” before the great throne, to explain to the angels that He whom they love and know so intimately is really Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, sharing God’s throne, and equal to Him.
The Father explained that while He Himself was the Originator of the divine plans, the Son was the Executor of those plans — the active agent of the Godhead. While the
Father said, “Let Us make_____”
it was the Son who did the making, for the Father created all things through Him. Hebrews 1:2. Furthermore, it was the Son who sustained and upheld the whole universe by the word of His power.
After announcing the true position of His Son, the Father commanded, “Let all the angels of God worship Him!” Hebrews 1:6. Perhaps it was Lucifer himself who brough forth the crown and set it on His head, while the heavenly hosts bowed in worship before Him and united their voices in rapturous songs of praise. The angels loved to “crown Him Lord of all.” They never tired of placing the crown upon His head and worshipping Him. For a time Lucifer himself was carried away by the joyful music and by feelings of adoration for his Maker.
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But soon the old struggle returned, loyalty and jealously striving for the mastery. Jealously finally won, supported by pride. Lucifer began to express openly the ambitions of his heart:
'7 will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God
I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
in the far north;
/ will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will make myself like the Most High." Isaiah 14:13,14.
This was treason. This was a declaration of war. Soon Lucifer, supported by a third of the angels of heaven, assaulted the very throne of God.
uNow war arose in heaven, Michael and His angels fighting against [Lucifer]; and [Lucifer] and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And [Lucifer] was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world — he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Revelation 12:7-9.
As a serpent he entered the Garden of Eden, and tempted our first parents to sin. By winning them to his side, he won also their children — the whole human race.
The right of the Son of God to reign was now challenged by one third of the angels of heaven and by the whole human race. His authority was defied. His coronation and kingship were disputed.
2 Coronation of Shame
The Son of God was on trial before the world and the universe. Did He have the right to reign? Was He tyrannical, as the enemy had charged? Was He selfish in demanding the loyalty and obedience of all His subjects?
How could He demonstrate to His rebellious creatures that He had a right to reign on the throne of their hearts?
Divine wisdom, divine love found a way. And that was for Him to come down to the rebellious world, ruled by devils and men, and demonstrate the principles of His character so all could know Him. This world became a theater to angels and men and the whole universe. Christ had to demonstrate His right to rule in a most difficult situation — by His handling of a rebellion.
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The Son of God invaded this world, not as a conqueror, but as a tiny baby. As He grew up among men, He opened to them the divine heart, showing that there is love and forgiveness there, even for a race of rebels. He showed them that God is not only a Commander who issues orders to be obeyed, but the Servant of all, constantly ministering to the needs of His creatures. He made Himself responsible for the redemption and rehabilitation of His degraded children.
At the same time Lucifer, now the Devil and Satan, by his actions was demonstrating whether he had the right to ascend to the throne of God and reign, as he aspired to do. Satan showed the principles of his character most clearly when Jesus was delivered into His hands to be treated as he willed.
Satan had been preparing for this occasion for a long time. With the memory of Christ’s coronation still rankling in his mind, he prepared his own special coronation for God’s Son. For the coronation gown, he selected an old scarlet robe — symbol of sin. For the diadem, he selected thorns, symbol of the curse. For worship, he inspired his followers to
bow the knee in mockery and cry, “Hail, King of the Jews!” As a climax, he lifted his rival high against the sky, not on a throne, but on a cross.
He vented all the hatred and venom of his character on the innocent Son of God. He opened his heart to the universe so the malignity of his nature could be seen by all. His shocking treatment of his Creator demonstrated that he had no right to reign, that he deserved to be executed as the great cosmic criminal.
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3 The Coronation of Glory
But Jesus snatched glory out of the shame. While the brutal treatment He endured showed the ugliness of Satan, His reaction to it showed the beauty of His nature. His patience,
His forgiveness, His love for His enemies, shone like a brilliant star against the black night of Satanic hatred. Jesus in the scarlet robe and crown of thorns was altogether lovely. Jesus on the cross was glorious.
Satan defeated his purpose. The more he abused Christ, the more glorious He became. Christ on the crpss, dying for the sins of mankind, melts and breaks and transforms the hearts of men.
Jesus’ coronation of shame won for Him the hearts of millions of fallen men. It won the admiration and love of the universe. It also won His right to the coronation of glory.
The day is coming when Jesus Christ will receive the glory and honor due His name. He will come to earth a second time, attended by all the angels of heaven. He will slay all of the wicked (Revelation 19:21) and take the righteous to heaven with Him, where they will live and reign with Him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4). During this time they will judge the wicked. Revelation 20:4; 1 Corinthians 6:2. When this work is finished, the stage will be set for the great climax of history — the end of the old order and the beginning of the new — the end of time and the beginning of eternity.
“At the close of the thousand years, Christ again returns to the earth. He is accompanied by the host of the redeemed, and attended by a retinue of angels. As He descends in terrific majesty He bids the wicked dead arise to receive their doom.
They come forth, a mighty host, numberless as the sands of the sea.” White, The Great Controversy,
p. 662.
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Jesus descends to the Mount of Olives, from which He ascended to heaven after His resurrection. “On that day His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives... and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley .... Then the Lord your God will come, and all the holy ones with Him. " Zechariah 14:4, 5.
Not only does Jesus come with all His holy ones, but “the holy city, new Jerusalem [comes] down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:2) and settles in the great plain which has just been prepared for it.
Now, for the first time in history, all who h^ve ever lived on earth are alive at the same time — those who love Christ inside tne holy city, and those who hate Him outside the city, swarming over the face of the earth.
As Satan sees the vast hosts, numbering in the billions, standing on his side, he is fired with new determination to continue the warfare against Christ. “The numbers on our side are vastly superior to the numbers on their side,” he asserts. Mighty general that he is, he organizes the great mass of people into companies and divisions led by the greatest generals of history. Then he orders, “Advance!” and the mighty host marches across the broken surface of the earth and surrounds the city of God.
“Now Christ again appears to the view of His enemies. Far above the city, upon a foundation of burnished gold, is a throne, high and lifted up. Upon this throne sits the Son of God, and around Him are the subjects of His kingdom. The power and majesty of Christ no language can describe, no pen portray. The glory of the Eternal Father is enshrouding His Son. The brightness of His presence fills the city of God, and flows out beyond the gates, flooding the whole earth with its radiance.” White, The Great Controversy, p. 665.
John, describing the same scene, says, "Then / saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it; from His presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. ” Revelation 20:11,12.
And now, before the assembled hosts of heaven and earth — angels and men, righteous and wicked — the final coronation of the Son of God takes place. As the great multitude look toward the throne, they see "a Lamb, standing as though it had been slain.n Revelation 5:6.
In the sky, as if on a giant television screen, the scenes of the past are re-enacted. The crucifiers of Christ, now raised from the dead, gaze with horror at the scene. Caiaphas, Pilate, priests, soldiers, and the rabble of Jerusalem see the part they played in the terrible drama. They see Jesus being led as a lamb to the slaughter, fainting beneath the cross, nailed to the cross, lifted up on the cross. They realize with horror that it was the Son of God whom they tortured and derided. As the redeemed see their Lord on the cross, they exclaim with wonder, “He died for me!”
The scenes of the past fade away, and Jesus appears in glory and majesty. One thought overwhelms angels and redeemed alike, finding expression in rapturous melody: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" Revelation 5:12. No one questions His right to reign. “He is worthy!” they exclaim.
And then comes the great moment when the Father Himself exalts His Son. In tones that resound through the earth, He declares: “Because You did not cling to your equality with God, but emptied Yourself, taking the form of a servant and being born in the likeness of men; because You humbled Yourself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross; therefore I, God, do highly exalt You and give You the name which is above every name.” And at this point the Father announces His Son’s new name.
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The Second Person of the Godhead has had many names. To the angels He was known as Michael, “like God.” To men He was Jesus, meaning “Savior”; or Christ, meaning “Anointed One.” In the light of His birth into the human family, He became known as “Son of God” and “Son of man.”
But none of these names expresses His full greatness and glory, or His true relationship to God and the universe. And so the Father gives Him a glorious new name, which is “above every name that is named' not only in this age, but also in that which is to come” Ephesians 1:21.
An angel of lofty stature and majestic bearing, taking the place of Lucifer, places the crown of glory on Jesus’ head. And then the Father commands that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ” Philippians 2:6-11.
In response to the divine command, “every creature which is in heaven and on earth and under the earth” - angels, saints, sinners, and devils — all bow down and exclaim: “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. ” Revelation 5:
13, K.J.V. Even Satan bows down and confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord.
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ADVENTI9X HERITAGE CENTER
Then Jesus, in His capacity as Judge, pronounces sentence on His enemies. Fire comes down from heaven and devours them. Revelation 20:9. The elements are dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it are burned up. 2 Peter 3:10.
The fire that burns the wicked purifies the earth. Then, when the fire has finished its work, and all the enemies of God are consumed, Jesus creates new heavens and a new earth, more lovely than before.
Now at last, Jesus reigns in His kingdom of glory. There stands the New Jerusalem in all its splendor. On the twelve gates of pearl are inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of Israel; and the twelve men finally sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Day of glory, at last it has come!
Now the redeemed enjoy the amazing fruits of Christ’s sacrifice. Jesus has become one with them, forever identified with the human race. This little world, that caused so much anguish to the heart of God, now becomes the seat of His throne and government. God Himself comes down to live with men and be their God. Revelation 21:3.
Jesus freely gives His people all the honors that Satan fought to obtain. Fallen human beings who have overcome the evil one are exalted to amazing heights. Jesus gives them the crown of life. Revelation 2:10. He puts the scepter in their hands and lets them rule over the nations. Revelation 2:26. He clothes them in white garments (Revelation 3:5) like His own rich coronation robe. He gives them His own new name (Revelation 3:12) making them members of the royal family. Finally, He lifts them up to sit with Him on His throne. Revelation 3:21.
The redeemed never cease to wonder at the matchless grace of God in lifting them from the depths of sin to the throne of glory. They can never forget the malignity of sin and the sacrifice Jesus made to save them from it. They will always have a distinct view of what their
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salvation has cost. One reminder will always exist: the marks of the crucifixion on the Savior’s body. After His resurrection, Jesus still bore in His body the prints of the nails in His hands and feet, and the spear wound in His side. “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your handy and place it in My side, ” He said to Thomas. John 20:27. And when the saints see their Lord in glory, some will ask in surprise, “What are these wounds on Your back?” And He will answer, “The wounds i received in the house °f My friends. ” Zechariah 13:6.
Looking at their Savior’s scars, they will never forget that the Beloved of God bore the guilt and shame of sin, and the hiding of His Father’s lace, until the woes of a lost world broke His heart and crushed out His life on Calvary’s cross. They will never cease to wonder that the Creator of the universe laid aside His glory and humbled Himself from love to man. Throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity, the cross of Christ will be their science and their song. In grateful praise they will sing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, ” as they crown Him Lord of all.
* * *
All hail the power of Jesus’s Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!
0 that with yonder sacred throng We at His feet may fall;
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!
Edward Perronet
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‘7 am the light of the world” — Jesus Christ
Summary Sheet
Lesson 26	Registration No______________
Directions: In the following questions (except 2 and 6) three of the four responses are correct. Circle each correct response.
1.	What has been the position and work of the Second Person of the God-head?
A To the angels He seems to have been an angel.
B To men He became a man.
C He was the Originator of the divine plans.
D He is the sustainer and upholder of the universe.
(Introduction and Section 1)
2.	The following are descriptions of Michael and Lucifer. Put the correct number before each description.
______ The Archangel, chief of the angels	1. Michael
______ The one who covered God’s glory	2. Lucifer
______ Day Star, Son of the Morning
______ He became the dragon and Satan
The Son of God
God’s representative to created beings
Expelled Satan and his angels from heaven
Leader of the heavenly choirs (Introduction and Section 1)
3.	Why did Lucifer rebel against God?
A	He became conscious of his beauty and was filled with 4 5 * * * 9 pride.
B	His abilities and talents had not been properly recognized by God.
C	He thought he was just as deserving of honor and worship as God’s Son
D	He had not been allowed to enter the divine councils.
4.	What were Lucifer’s ambitions?
A	To ascend to heaven above the stars of God.
B	To set his throne on high.
C	To make himself like God in character.
D	To make himself like God in power and authority. (Section 1)
5.	What has been demonstrated concerning the character of the Son of God?
A He is selfish in demanding the loyalty and obedience of His creatures.
B He is not only Master of all, but Servant of all.
C	There is love and forgiveness in His heart for a race of rebels.
D	The more He was abused, the more beautiful He appeared.
(Section 2)
6.	Matching. Identify each event with the right coronation.
Saints and sinners acknowledge that	1. The disputed
Christ is worthy to reign.	coronation
The Father explained the true posi-	2. The coronation
tion of His Son.	of shame
Satan lifted up Christ on a cross.	3. The coronation
	of glory.
7.	What information do we have about the final coronation of Christ?
A It will come at the end of time and the beginning of eternity.
B All who have ever lived on earth will be alive to witness it.
C All but Satan will bow down and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
D The Father will give His Son a name that is above every name.	(Section 3)
8.	What honors will Jesus freely give His people?
A Honors that Satan fought to obtain.
B The right to be worshiped.
C The crown and the scepter with which to rule the nations.
D The right to sit with Him on His throne.
(Section 3, last part)
Your response (not graded):
1.	Has Jesus earned the right to your love and adoration? _____
2.	Do you want to stand with the great multitude of redeemed
ones and crown Him Lord of all? _________ 3
3.	Are you willing right now to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your
life? ______
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