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164
Early Writings
returned to the priests and elders without Jesus. When asked, “Why
have ye not brought Him?” they related what they had witnessed of
His miracles, and the holy words of wisdom, love, and knowledge
which they had heard, and ended with saying, “Never man spake like
this man.” The chief priests accused them of being also deceived,
and some of the officers were ashamed that they had not taken Him.
The priests inquired in a scornful manner if any of the rulers had
believed on Him. I saw that many of the magistrates and elders did
believe on Jesus; but Satan kept them from acknowledging it; they
feared the reproach of the people more than they feared God.
Thus far the cunning and hatred of Satan had not broken up the
plan of salvation. The time for the accomplishment of the object
for which Jesus came into the world was drawing near. Satan and
his angels consulted together and decided to inspire Christ’s own
nation to cry eagerly for His blood and heap upon Him cruelty and
scorn. They hoped that Jesus would resent such treatment and fail
to maintain His humility and meekness.
While Satan was laying his plans, Jesus was carefully opening
to His disciples the sufferings through which He must pass—that He
would be crucified and that He would rise again the third day. But
their understanding seemed dull, and they could not comprehend
what He told them.
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