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The Desire of Ages
and compassion. Instead of studying their own profit, they should
have considered the situation and needs of the worshipers, and should
have been ready to assist those who were not able to buy the required
sacrifices. But this they did not do. Avarice had hardened their hearts.
There came to this feast those who were suffering, those who were
in want and distress. The blind, the lame, the deaf, were there. Some
were brought on beds. Many came who were too poor to purchase
the humblest offering for the Lord, too poor even to buy food with
which to satisfy their own hunger. These were greatly distressed by
the statements of the priests. The priests boasted of their piety; they
claimed to be the guardians of the people; but they were without
sympathy or compassion. The poor, the sick, the dying, made their
vain plea for favor. Their suffering awakened no pity in the hearts of
the priests.
As Jesus came into the temple, He took in the whole scene. He saw
the unfair transactions. He saw the distress of the poor, who thought
that without shedding of blood there would be no forgiveness for their
sins. He saw the outer court of His temple converted into a place of
unholy traffic. The sacred enclosure had become one vast exchange.
Christ saw that something must be done. Numerous ceremonies
were enjoined upon the people without the proper instruction as to
their import. The worshipers offered their sacrifices without under-
standing that they were typical of the only perfect Sacrifice. And
among them, unrecognized and unhonored, stood the One symbolized
by all their service. He had given directions in regard to the offerings.
He understood their symbolical value, and He saw that they were now
perverted and misunderstood. Spiritual worship was fast disappearing.
No link bound the priests and rulers to their God. Christ’s work was to
establish an altogether different worship.
With searching glance, Christ takes in the scene before Him as He
stands upon the steps of the temple court. With prophetic eye He looks
into futurity, and sees not only years, but centuries and ages. He sees
how priests and rulers will turn the needy from their right, and forbid
that the gospel shall be preached to the poor. He sees how the love of
God will be concealed from sinners, and men will make merchandise
of His grace. As He beholds the scene, indignation, authority, and
power are expressed in His countenance. The attention of the people
is attracted to Him. The eyes of those engaged in their unholy traffic
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