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Chapter 7
1-5. Relatives Dimly Understood Christ’s Mission
—[
John
7:1-5
quoted.] The brethren here referred to were the sons of Joseph,
and their words were spoken in irony. It was very painful to Christ
that His nearest relatives should so dimly understand His mission,
and should entertain the ideas suggested by His enemies. But the
[1136]
Saviour did not answer the cruel sarcasm with words of like char-
acter. He pitied the spiritual ignorance of His brethren, and longed
to give them a clear understanding of His mission (
Manuscript 33,
1911
).
1-53
. See
EGW comment on Exodus 23:16
.
16. Rescued From Error
—“Jesus answered them, and said, My
doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.” My words are in perfect
harmony with the Old Testament Scriptures, and with the law spoken
from Sinai. I am not preaching a new doctrine. I am presenting
old truths rescued from the framework of error, and placed in a new
setting (
Manuscript 33, 1911
).
41, 50-52. Priests and Rulers Deceived
—[
John 7:51
quoted.]
The lesson that Christ had given to Nicodemus had not been in
vain. Conviction had fastened upon his mind, and in his heart he
had accepted Jesus. Since his interview with the Saviour, he had
earnestly searched the Old Testament Scriptures, and he had seen
truth placed in the true setting of the gospel.
The question asked by him was wise, and would have com-
mended itself to those presiding at the council had they not been
deceived by the enemy. But they were so filled with prejudice that
no argument in favor of Jesus of Nazareth, however convincing, had
any weight with them. The answer that Nicodemus received, was,
“Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth
no prophet.”
The priests and rulers had been deceived, as Satan meant them to
be, into believing that Christ came out of Galilee. Some who knew
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