Christ in the Synagogue
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upon man, alienated from him by sin and disobedience! Well may the
heart break and the tears flow in contemplation of such inexpressible
love! Christ abased himself to humanity that he might reach man
sunken into the depths of woe and degradation, and lift him into a
nobler life, give him moral strength to resist the power of Satan and
overcome sin in his name. Sad was the recompense he met for his
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marvelous condescension.
The words of Jesus were scorned because he declared that outward
professions and observances of forms would not avail; the work must
reach the heart and bring forth fruit meet for repentance. The words
that he addressed to his disciples are also spoken to the followers of
Christ today. The same necessity exists for a clean heart and a pure life.
Yet how many reject the warning of God, spoken by his servants, and
the close, practical truths pressed home to their hearts, because their
lives are not in accordance with the will of God, because they perceive
that an entire reformation is necessary, and are unwilling to take up
the self-denying work, and are therefore angry because their sins have
been discovered. They go away offended, even as the disciples left
Jesus, murmuring, “This is a hard saying; who can hear it?”
Those who profess godliness, yet do not heed the admonitions of
the Lord, nor regulate their lives in harmony with his holy will, fasten
themselves more and more firmly by chains of darkness. Many who
now profess to believe the truth of Christ, endure the test no better than
those who turned away from following him. Many, while professing
the faith, are so separated from Christ by hearts of unbelief, that they
reject the words and works of God shown through his servants. If
the divine revelation does not harmonize with their views, they feel
at liberty to turn from its teachings. If it rebukes their sins they are
offended. Praise and flattery would be grateful to their ears, but the
truth is disagreeable, they cannot hear it. When the crowds follow, and
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the multitudes are fed, and the cries of triumph go up, their voices are
loud in praise; but when the searching of God’s Spirit reveals to them
their sin and bids them leave it, they turn their backs upon the truth,
and “walk no more with Jesus.”
God does not propose to be called to account for his ways and
works. It is for his glory to conceal his purposes now; but by and by
they will be revealed in their true importance. But he has not concealed
his great love, which lies at the foundation of all his dealings with his