DESTINY’S BIBLE STUDY NOTES AND QUOTES

(The Life and Ministry of Jesus #42)

Woes on the Pharisees (See Matthew Chapter 23, Mark 12:41-44, Luke 20:45-47, 21:1-4)

The interest of the people in Christ and His work had steadily increased. They were amazed by His teachings, but they were also greatly perplexed. They had respected the priests and rabbis for their intelligence and apparent piety. So they marveled that the rulers would not believe on Jesus when His teachings were so plain and simple.

Through reverence for tradition and their blind faith in a corrupt priesthood, the people were enslaved. These chains Christ endeavored to break. The character of the priests, rulers, and Pharisees must be fully exposed.

In such plain words the Savior revealed the selfish ambitions that was ever reaching for place and power, displaying a mock humility, while their hearts were filled with avarice and envy.

If Christ were on earth today, surrounded by those who bear the title of “Reverend,” would He not repeat His saying, “Neither be you called masters: for One is your Master, even Christ. The Scripture declares of God, “Holy and reverend is His name.” (Psalm 111:9 KJV) So to what human being is this title befitting?

Again and again Christ had taught that true greatness is measured by moral worth. In the estimation of heaven, greatness of character consists in living for the welfare of our fellow people, in doing works of love and mercy. Christ, the King of glory, was a servant to fallen humanity.

Jesus was in the court where the treasure chests were, and He watched those who came to deposit their gifts. Many of the rich brought large sums, which they presented with great ostentation. Jesus looked upon them sadly, but made no comment on their liberal offerings. Then His countenance lighted as He saw a poor widow approach hesitatingly, as though fearful of being observed. Her gift was very small in comparison with the gifts of those around her, yet it was her all!

The Savior called His disciples to Him, and had them mark the widow’s poverty. Then His words of commendation fell upon her ear: “Of a truth I say to you, that this poor widow has cast in more than them all.”

Tears of joy filled her eyes as she felt that her act was understood and appreciated. Many would have advised her to keep her pittance for her own use. Given into the hands of the well fed priests, it would be lost sight of among the many costly gifts brought to the treasury. But Jesus understood her motive!

Her heart went with her gift. Its value was estimated, not by the worth of the coin, but by the love to God and the interest in His work that prompted the deed. It is motive that gives character to our acts, stamping them with ignominy or with high moral worth.

A heart of faith and love is dearer to God than the most costly gift.

The widow deprived herself of food in order to give those two mites to the cause she loved. And she did it in faith, believing that her heavenly Father would not overlook her great need. It was this unselfish spirit and childlike faith that won the Savior’s commendation.

The influence of that little gift has been like a stream, small in its beginning, but widening and deepening as it flowed down through the ages. This moment in history, her example of self-sacrifice, has acted and reacted upon thousands, even millions, of hearts in every land and in every age.

As the whited and beautifully decorated tomb concealed the putrefying remains within, so the outward holiness of the priests and rulers concealed iniquity.

The Pharisees built the tombs of the prophets, and adorned their sepulchers, and said to one another, ‘if we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have united with them in shedding the blood of God’s servants.’ At the same time they were planning to take the life of His Son. This should be a lesson to us. It should open our eyes to the power of Satan to deceive the mind that turns from the light of truth.

Israel as a nation had divorced herself from God. Looking for the last time upon the interior of the temple, Jesus said with mournful pathos, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say to you, you shall not see Me henceforth, till you shall say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

He had called the temple His Father’s house, but now, as the Son of God should pass out from those walls, God’s presence would be withdrawn forever from the temple built to His glory. Henceforth its ceremonies would be meaningless, its services a mockery.

In the Outer Court (See John 12:20-43)

At this time Christ’s work bore the appearance of cruel defeat. He had been victor in the controversy with the priests and Pharisees, but it was evident that He would never be received by them as the Messiah.

When Christ heard the eager request, “We would see Jesus,” echoing the hungering cry of the world, His countenance lighted up. He said, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.” In the request of the Greeks He saw an earnestness for the results of His great sacrifice.

The Greeks longed to know the truth in regard to His mission. “We would se Jesus,” they said. Their desire was granted.

The hour of Christ’s glorification had come. He was standing in the shadow of the cross, and the inquiry of the Greeks showed Him that the sacrifice He was about to make would bring many sons and daughters to God.

Only by His death could the world be saved. Like a grain of wheat, the Son of man must be cast into the ground. But He was to live again! Christ presented His future , illustrating it by the things of nature.

The farmer preserves his grain by seemingly casting it away. So in human life, to give is to live. Those who for Christ’s sake sacrifice their life in this world will keep it unto eternal life. The law of self-sacrifice is the law of self-preservation.

The life spent on self is like the grain that is eaten. It disappears, but there is no increase. A man may gather all he can for self, he may live and think and plan for self. But his life passes away, and he has nothing. The law of self-serving is the law of self-destruction.

Christ’s humanity shrank from the hour of abandonment, when to all appearance He would be deserted even by God, when all would see Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. He shrank from being treated as the worst of criminals, from a shameful and dishonored death. A foreboding of His conflict with the powers of darkness, a sense of the awful burden of human transgression, and the Father’s wrath because of sin caused the spirit of Jesus to faint, and the pallor of death to overspread His countenance.

The voice of God had been heard at the baptism of Jesus at the beginning of His ministry, and again at His transfiguration on the mount. Now at the close of His ministry it was heard for the third time, by a larger number of persons, and under peculiar circumstances.

The work of human redemption is not all that is accomplished by the cross. The love of God is manifested to the universe. The prince of this world is cast out. The accusations which Satan has brought against God are refuted. The reproach which he has cast upon heaven is forever removed. Angels as well as humanity are drawn to the Redeemer!

“I, if I be lifted up,” Jesus said. “Will draw all men unto Me.”