192
The Desire of Ages
land, with a woman who did not belong to the chosen people. But
this woman was favored because she had followed the light she had
received, and her heart was open to the greater light that God sent her
through His prophet.
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It was for the same reason that in Elisha’s time the lepers of Israel
were passed by. But Naaman, a heathen nobleman, had been faithful
to his convictions of right, and had felt his great need of help. He was
in a condition to receive the gifts of God’s grace. He was not only
cleansed from his leprosy, but blessed with a knowledge of the true
God.
Our standing before God depends, not upon the amount of light
we have received, but upon the use we make of what we have. Thus
even the heathen who choose the right as far as they can distinguish it
are in a more favorable condition than are those who have had great
light, and profess to serve God, but who disregard the light, and by
their daily life contradict their profession.
The words of Jesus to His hearers in the synagogue struck at the
root of their self-righteousness, pressing home upon them the bitter
truth that they had departed from God and forfeited their claim to be
His people. Every word cut like a knife as their real condition was set
before them. They now scorned the faith with which Jesus had at first
inspired them. They would not admit that He who had sprung from
poverty and lowliness was other than a common man.
Their unbelief bred malice. Satan controlled them, and in wrath
they cried out against the Saviour. They had turned from Him whose
mission it was to heal and restore; now they manifested the attributes
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of the destroyer.
When Jesus referred to the blessings given to the Gentiles, the
fierce national pride of His hearers was aroused, and His words were
drowned in a tumult of voices. These people had prided themselves
on keeping the law; but now that their prejudices were offended, they
were ready to commit murder. The assembly broke up, and laying
hands upon Jesus, they thrust Him from the synagogue, and out of the
city. All seemed eager for His destruction. They hurried Him to the
brow of a precipice, intending to cast Him down headlong. Shouts and
maledictions filled the air. Some were casting stones at Him, when
suddenly He disappeared from among them. The heavenly messengers
who had been by His side in the synagogue were with Him in the midst