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The Desire of Ages
of humanity; and men longed to become worthy of His confidence.
Upon their thirsty hearts His words fell with blessed, life-giving power.
New impulses were awakened, and the possibility of a new life opened
to these outcasts of society.
At such gatherings as this, not a few were impressed by the
Saviour’s teaching who did not acknowledge Him until after His as-
cension. When the Holy Spirit was poured out, and three thousand
[275]
were converted in a day, there were among them many who first heard
the truth at the table of the publicans, and some of these became mes-
sengers of the gospel. To Matthew himself the example of Jesus at the
feast was a constant lesson. The despised publican became one of the
most devoted evangelists, in his own ministry following closely in his
Master’s steps.
When the rabbis learned of the presence of Jesus at Matthew’s
feast, they seized the opportunity of accusing Him. But they chose to
work through the disciples. By arousing their prejudices they hoped to
alienate them from their Master. It was their policy to accuse Christ to
the disciples, and the disciples to Christ, aiming their arrows where
they would be most likely to wound. This is the way in which Satan
has worked ever since the disaffection in heaven; and all who try to
cause discord and alienation are actuated by his spirit.
“Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?” questioned
the envious rabbis.
Jesus did not wait for His disciples to answer the charge, but
Himself replied: “They that be whole need not a physician, but they
that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy,
and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners
to repentance.” The Pharisees claimed to be spiritually whole, and
therefore in no need of a physician, while they regarded the publicans
and Gentiles as perishing from diseases of the soul. Then was it not
His work, as a physician, to go to the very class that needed His help?
But although the Pharisees thought so highly of themselves, they
were really in a worse condition than the ones they despised. The
publicans were less bigoted and self-sufficient, and thus were more
open to the influence of truth. Jesus said to the rabbis, “Go ye and
learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.” Thus
He showed that while they claimed to expound the word of God, they
were wholly ignorant of its spirit.