Jesus and the Pharisees
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and planning was done previous to their being brought to the place of
building. So it is that all the hewing, fitting and polishing of character
must be done during man’s probation. When Christ shall come again
to earth it will not be to purify and refine the characters of men, and
to fit them for Heaven. His work then will only be to change their
corruptible bodies and fashion them like unto Christ’s most glorious
body. Only a symmetrical and perfect character will in that day entitle
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men to the finishing touch of immortality.
Earth is the quarry and the work-shop where men are to be fit-
ted and refined for the courts of Heaven. As the stones composing
Solomon’s temple came together in the wall a perfect fit, without the
touch of ax or hammer or any other instrument, so will the resurrected
saints, and those who are alive at the time of his coming be caught
up together to meet the Lord in the air, each one fitted for the great
change and taking his proper place in the temple of God’s love.
But when Christ shall visit the wicked, his judgments will fall not
only upon the Jews but upon all who have refused the heavenly benefits
of the grace of God. The stone that was passive, bearing humbly all
the abuse heaped upon it, will then lift itself in life and power above
those who despised and rejected it. They will see in this their rock of
offense, an avenging mountain falling upon and crushing them.
Hoping to entrap him in his words, the chief priests and rulers
sent the most malicious enemies of Jesus to him, who pretended to
be interested in his teachings and desiring to be profited by his divine
wisdom. They expected Jesus would be deceived by their pious preten-
sions, thrown off his guard and led to speak that which they could take
advantage of to condemn him. They were mortified and angry that
they had been compelled to endure the penetrating address of Jesus,
laying bare their true condition and condemning their wickedness, yet
were utterly unable to refute his words.
They privately arranged with the Herodians to accompany them
and hear the words of Jesus, that they might be witnesses against him
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when he should be arraigned on trial for his life. The Pharisees had ever
fretted and chafed under the exaction of taxes or tribute by the Romans.
They took the position that it was contrary to the law of God. They
now laid a snare by which they thought Jesus would surely become
entangled and offend either the Jewish laws or the Roman authority.
The spies came to him in a most courteous manner and expressed