Chapter 14—“We Have Found the Messias”
This chapter is based on
John 1:19-51
.
John the Baptist was now preaching and baptizing at Bethabara,
beyond Jordan. It was not far from this spot that God had stayed the
river in its flow until Israel had passed over. A little distance from
here the stronghold of Jericho had been overthrown by the armies of
heaven. The memory of these events was at this time revived, and
gave a thrilling interest to the Baptist’s message. Would not He who
had wrought so wonderfully in ages past again manifest His power for
Israel’s deliverance? Such was the thought stirring the hearts of the
people who daily thronged the banks of the Jordan.
The preaching of John had taken so deep a hold on the nation as
to demand the attention of the religious authorities. The danger of
insurrection caused every popular gathering to be looked upon with
suspicion by the Romans, and whatever pointed toward an uprising
of the people excited the fears of the Jewish rulers. John had not
recognized the authority of the Sanhedrin by seeking their sanction
for his work; and he had reproved rulers and people, Pharisees and
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Sadducees alike. Yet the people followed him eagerly. The interest
in his work seemed to be continually increasing. Though he had not
deferred to them, the Sanhedrin accounted that, as a public teacher, he
was under their jurisdiction.
This body was made up of members chosen from the priesthood,
and from the chief rulers and teachers of the nation. The high priest
was usually the president. All its members were to be men advanced
in years, though not aged; men of learning, not only versed in Jewish
religion and history, but in general knowledge. They were to be without
physical blemish, and must be married men, and fathers, as being more
likely than others to be humane and considerate. Their place of meeting
was an apartment connected with the temple at Jerusalem. In the days
of Jewish independence the Sanhedrin was the supreme court of the
nation, possessing secular as well as ecclesiastical authority. Though
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