Last Journey From Galilee
421
The only way in which we can gain a more perfect apprehension of
truth is by keeping the heart tender and subdued by the Spirit of Christ.
The soul must be cleansed from vanity and pride, and vacated of all
that has held it in possession, and Christ must be enthroned within.
Human science is too limited to comprehend the atonement. The plan
of redemption is so far-reaching that philosophy cannot explain it. It
will ever remain a mystery that the most profound reasoning cannot
[495]
fathom. The science of salvation cannot be explained; but it can be
known by experience. Only he who sees his own sinfulness can discern
the preciousness of the Saviour.
Full of instruction were the lessons which Christ taught as He
slowly made His way from Galilee toward Jerusalem. Eagerly the
people listened to His words. In Perea as in Galilee the people were
less under the control of Jewish bigotry than in Judea, and His teaching
found a response in their hearts.
During these last months of His ministry, many of Christ’s parables
were spoken. The priests and rabbis pursued Him with ever-increasing
bitterness, and His warnings to them He veiled in symbols. They could
not mistake His meaning, yet they could find in His words nothing
on which to ground an accusation against Him. In the parable of the
Pharisee and the publican, the self-sufficient prayer, “God, I thank
Thee that I am not as the rest of men,” stood out in sharp contrast to
the penitent’s plea, “Be merciful to me the sinner.”
Luke 18:11, 13
,
R. V., margin. Thus Christ rebuked the hypocrisy of the Jews. And
under the figures of the barren fig tree and the great supper He foretold
the doom about to fall upon the impenitent nation. Those who had
scornfully rejected the invitation to the gospel feast heard His warning
words: “I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden
shall taste of My supper.”
Luke 14:24
.
Very precious was the instruction given to the disciples. The
parable of the importunate widow and the friend asking for bread at
midnight gave new force to His words, “Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
Luke
11:9
. And often their wavering faith was strengthened by the memory
that Christ had said, “Shall not God do justice for His elect, which
cry to Him day and night, and He is long-suffering over them? I say
unto you, that He will do them justice speedily.”
Luke 18:7, 8
, R. V.,
margin.