Feast of Tabernacles
239
Jesus defended himself, and interpreted the spirit of the law, silenced
the rulers and led many of those who heard him to say, “Is not this
he whom they seek to kill? But lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say
nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very
Christ?” Many of those who lived at Jerusalem, and were not ignorant
of the designs of the Sanhedrim council against Jesus, were charmed
with the doctrine that he taught and with his pure and dignified bearing,
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and were inclined to accept him as the Son of God.
They were not filled with the bitter prejudice and hatred of the
priests and rulers; but Satan was ready to suggest doubts and questions
in their minds as to the divinity of this man of humble origin. Many
had received the impression that Messiah would have no natural rela-
tionship to humanity, and it was not pleasant for them to think of him,
whom they had hoped would be a mighty King of Israel, as one who
sprung from poverty and obscurity. Therefore they said among them-
selves, “Howbeit we know this man whence he is; but when Christ
cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.” The minds of these men were
closed to the prophecies, which pointed how and when Christ was to
come.
While their minds were balancing between doubt and faith, Jesus
took up their thoughts and answered them thus: “Ye both know me,
and ye know whence I am; and I am not come of myself, but He that
sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I know him; for I am from him,
and he hath sent me.” They claimed a knowledge of what the origin
of Christ should be, while they were in reality utterly ignorant of it,
and were locked in spiritual blindness. If they had lived in accordance
with the will of the Father, they would have known his Son when he
was manifested to them.
The words of Jesus convinced many of those who listened; but the
rage of the rulers was increased by this very fact, and they made an
attempt to seize him; “but no man laid hands on him, because his hour
was not yet come. And many of the people believed on him, and said,
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When Christ cometh will he do more miracles than these which this
man hath done?”
Jesus stood before his enemies with calm and dignified mien,
declaring his mission to the world, and revealing the hidden sins
and deadly designs of the Pharisees and rulers. Though these lofty
persons would gladly have sealed his lips, and though they had the will