The Sabbath School

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 4, 1897

The Sabbath School

International Series.

LESSON VIII.—SABBATH, FEBRUARY 20, 1897.

RESULTS OF CHRIST’S MANIFESTATION.

Lesson Scripture, John 12: 37-50, R. V.

37 “But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they 38 believed not on him; that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? 39 For this cause they could not believe, for that Isaiah said again, 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and he hardened their heart; Lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, And should turn, And I should heal them. 41 These things said Isaiah, because he saw his glory; and he 42 spake of him. Nevertheless even of the rulers many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God. 43 And Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that 44 beholdeth me beholdeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide 45 in the darkness. And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world; 46 but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I 47 spake, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I spake not from myself; but the Father which sent me, he hath given me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should 48 speak. And I know that his commandment is life eternal: the things therefore which I speak, even as the Father hath said unto me, so I speak.”

QUESTIONS.

How did the Jews respond to the works of Christ?
With what was this result in harmony?
What prophetic inquiries had foretold this situation?
What was the result of their previous unbelief?
How had this also been foretold?
What experience of the prophet caused these utterances?

Who, however, did believe on Jesus as the Christ?
What prevented their open allegiance to him?
What was the real cause of their unwillingness to own him?
How did Jesus declare his oneness with the Father?
In what other words did he express the same general truth?
As what did Jesus come? For what purpose?
How did Jesus treat those who refused his teaching?
What reason did he give for this plan of action?
What is true of the rejecter of his teaching?
What will appear against him at the last day?
Why did such results come from the rejection of the words of Jesus?
What is the nature of the Father’s commandment?
What principle did Jesus follow in all his teaching?

NOTES.

1. “THERE is a terrible danger—a danger not sufficiently understood—in delaying to yield to the pleading voice of God’s Holy Spirit, in choosing to live in sin; for such this delay really is. Many are quieting a troubled conscience with the thought that they can change a course of evil when they choose; that they can trifle with the invitations of mercy, and yet be again and again impressed. They think that . . . in a moment of terrible extremity they can change their course. But this is not so easily done. The experience, the education of a lifetime, has so thoroughly molded the character that few then desire to receive the image of Jesus.”

2. “It is not the plan of God to compel men to yield their wicked unbelief. Before them are light and darkness, truth and error. It is for them to decide which to accept. The human mind is endowed with power to discriminate between right and wrong. God designs that men shall not decide from impulse, but from weight of evidence, carefully comparing scripture with scripture. Had the Jews laid aside their prejudice, and compared written prophecy with the facts characterizing the life of Jesus, they would have perceived a beautiful harmony between the prophecies and their fulfilment in the life and ministry of the lowly Galilean.”

3. “THESE things said Isaiah, because he saw His glory.” R. V. The wonderful view granted to Isaiah was but a foreshadowing of the outshining of His glory (Heb. 1:3) as it would be revealed in Christ, and the prophet saw that such an exhibition of the glory of the Lord would simply blind the eyes of those who had persistently refused to receive the light as it was gradually revealed, and as they were able to bear it. One who persists in living in a dark cave is blinded when a bright light suddenly breaks upon his vision.

4. MEN of influence were convinced that Christ’s claims and teaching were true, but refrained from acknowledging them and him for fear of losing their standing in society and the church; “for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.” R. V. The glory of fellowship with God was quite eclipsed by the glory of living in the eye of the people as wise and estimable persons.

Suggestions for Further Study.

1. Who is the Arm of the Lord? Why so called? Compare Jer. 23:6 and Rom. 1:16, 17.

2. What relation is suggested between conversion and healing? Compare with Ps. 103:3.

3. What principle of true religious liberty is taught in verse 47?

4. In the judgment the believer is acquitted by the law, and the Gospel witnesses to the righteousness of the acquittal; the sinner is condemned by the same law, and the same Gospel witnesses to the justice of the condemnation.

5. What law of life for the Christian is suggested in verse 49?

6. How is life only in Christ taught in this lesson?