LESSON FOR PACIFIC COAST.—DEC. 17.
AFTER Jesus had dismissed the woman which the Pharisees had brought to him for condemnation, with the injunction, "Go, and sin no more," he resumed his talk in the temple. He spoke of himself as the light of the world, and gave as proof that what he said was true, that his Father was with him. His assurance that his Father was with him, was based on the fact that he always did those things which pleased the Father. When the Jews asked him who he was, he replied, "Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning," and told them that when they had lifted up the Son of man, then they should know who he was. In consequence of these words of Jesus, many of the Jews believed on him. "To these believing ones Jesus said, 'If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' But to the Pharisees who rejected him, and who hardened their hearts against him, he declared: 'I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins; whither I go, ye cannot come.'" "But the Pharisees took up his words, addressed to those who believed, and commented upon them, saying, 'We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man; how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?' Jesus looked upon these men,—the slaves of unbelief and bitter malice,—and answered them, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin.' They were in the worst of bondage, ruled by the spirit of evil. Jesus declared to them that if they were the true children of Abraham, and lived in obedience to God, they would not seek to kill one who was speaking the truth that was given him of God. This was not doing the works of Abraham, whom they claimed as their father." 'Jesus, with startling emphasis, denied that the Jews were following the example of Abraham. Said he, 'Ye do the deeds of your father.' The Pharisees, partly comprehending his meaning, said, 'We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.' But Jesus answered them: 'If your Father, you would love me; for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.' The Pharisees had turned from their minds, and refused to recognize his Son. If their minds had been open to the love of God, they would have acknowledged the Saviour who was sent to the world by him. Jesus boldly revealed their desperate condition:—
"'Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.' These words were spoken with sorrowful pathos, as Jesus realized the terrible condition into which these men had fallen. But his enemies heard him with uncontrollable anger; although his majestic bearing, and the mighty weight of the truths he uttered, held them powerless. Jesus continued to draw the sharp contrast between their position and that of Abraham, whose children they claimed to be:—
"'Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it and was glad.' The Jews listened incredulously to this assertion, and said sneeringly, 'Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?' Jesus, with a lofty dignity that sent a thrill of conviction through their guilty souls, answered, 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.' For a moment, silence fell upon all the people, as the grand and awful import of these words dawned upon their minds. But the Pharisees, speedily recovering from the influence of his words, and fearing their effect upon the people, commenced to create an uproar, railing at him as a blasphemer. Then took they up stones to cast at him; but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by."—The Great Controversy.