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Chapter 26
69
has provided to restore health and soundness to the sin-stricken soul
(
Letter 108, 1899
).
31-35 (
Mark 14:27-31
;
Luke 22:31-34
;
13:36-38
;
1 Corinthi-
ans 10:12
). The Self-sufficient Go On in Supposed Strength
—
Many today stand where Peter stood when in self-confidence he
declared that he would not deny his Lord. And because of their
self-sufficiency, they fall an easy prey to Satan’s devices. Those
who realize their weakness trust in a power higher than self. And
while they look to God, Satan has no power against them. But those
who trust in self are easily defeated. Let us remember that if we do
not heed the cautions that God gives us, a fall is before us. Christ
will not save from wounds the one who places himself unbidden on
the enemy’s ground. He lets the self-sufficient one, who acts as if
he knew more than his Lord, go on in his supposed strength. Then
comes suffering and a crippled life, or perhaps defeat and death
(
Manuscript 115, 1902
).
36-46 (
Mark 14:32-42
;
Luke 22:39-46
; see
EGW comment
on Ecclesiastes 8:11
). Satan Sought to Crush Christ
—At the
thought of the grievous character of the guilt of the world, Christ felt
that He must go apart, and be alone. The hosts of darkness are there
to make sin appear as extensive, deep, and horrible as possible. In his
hatred of God, in falsifying His character, in manifesting irreverence,
contempt, and hatred toward the laws of His government, Satan had
made iniquity reach unto the heavens, and it was his purpose to swell
iniquity to such great proportions, that it would make atonement
seem impossible, so that the Son of God, who sought to save a lost
world, should be crushed beneath the curse of sin. The working
of the vigilant foe in presenting to Christ the vast proportions of
transgression, caused such poignant pain that He felt that He could
[1103]
not remain in the immediate presence of any human being. He could
not bear that even His disciples should witness His agony as He
contemplated the woe of the world. Even His most dearly loved
friends must not be in His companionship. The sword of justice was
unsheathed, and the wrath of God against iniquity rested upon man’s
substitute, Jesus Christ, the only begotten of the Father.
In the Garden of Gethsemane Christ suffered in man’s stead, and
the human nature of the Son of God staggered under the terrible
horror of the guilt of sin, until from His pale and quivering lips was