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LESSON VIII.—SABBATH, NOVEMBER 25, 1899

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Nov 8, 1899

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 25, No. 45.

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LESSON VIII.—SABBATH, NOVEMBER 25, 1899

THE WIDOW'S MITE, AND THE DESIRE OF THE GREEKS.

In the Temple at Jerusalem, A.D. 31.
41 "And He sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury; and many 42 that were rich cast in much. And there came a poor widow, 43 and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. And He called unto Him His disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they 44 which are casting into the treasury; for they all did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living."
20 "Now there were certain Greeks among those that went 21 up to worship at the feast; these therefore came to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, 22 Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew; 23 Andrew cometh, and Philip, and they tell Jesus. And Jesus answereth them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of 24 man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abideth by 25 itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit. He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world 26 shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be; if 27 any man serve Me, him will the Father honor. Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from 28 this hour. But for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name. There came therefore a voice out of heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it 29 again. The multitude therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it had thundered; others said, An angel hath spoken 30 to Him. Jesus answered and said, This voice hath not come 31 for My sake, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto 33 Myself. But this He said, signifying by what manner of 34 death He should die. The multitude therefore answered Him, We have heard out of the law that the Christ abideth 35 forever; and how sayest Thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man? Jesus therefore said unto them, Yet a little while is the light among you. Walk while ye have the light, that darkness overtake you not; and he that 36 walketh in the darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of the light."

NOTE.

NOTE.—The texts inclosed in marks of parentheses, while not essential to the lesson study, will be found to throw much light upon the lesson, and are suggested for those who wish to study further.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. Having exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and denounced their sins, where did the Lord next go? What did He do there? Mark 12:41. Note 1. (2 Kings 12:9.)
  2. Who came with an offering? Of what did it consist? Verse 42. Note 2. (Brass money; see Matt. 10:9.)
  3. Whose attention did He call to the woman's act? and what did He say of it? Verse 43. (2 Cor. 8:12.)
  4. Why was her act so highly commended? Verse 44.
  5. Among the worshipers at this Passover, who are specially mentioned as being present? John 12:20. (Acts 17:4.)
  6. In their anxiety to know more of Jesus, to whom did these Greeks apply? What did they ask? Verse 21.
  7. What did Philip do? Verse 22.
  8. Without giving a direct answer, what did Jesus say? Verse 23. (John 13:31, 32.)
  9. How did Jesus then explain the necessity for His death? Verse 24. (1 Cor. 15:36-38.)
  10. What did He say about the lives of others? Verse 25. (Matt. 10:39.)
  11. Then what must those do who would follow Jesus? Verse 26. Note 3. (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:17.)
  12. As Jesus realized that the time of His death was near, by what words did He show that His flesh shrank from the ordeal? Verse 27. (Luke 12:50.)
  13. As evidence of His spirit of submission, what expression came forth from His lips? What response was heard from heaven? Verse 28.
  14. What did the people recognize in this voice of God? Verse 29.
  15. For what purpose did God thus speak to Jesus? Verse 30. (John 11:42.)
  16. What did He then say of Satan? Verse 31. (John 14:30; Matt. 12:29.)
  17. What did Jesus say His death would do? Verses 32, 33. Note 4.
  18. What question did this statement raise among the people? Verse 34. (Ps. 89:36.)
  19. In reply to this question what important truths did Jesus utter? Verses 35, 36. (John 8:12; 1 John 1:5-7.)
Side Lights.—"Desire of Ages," chapters 67, 68; "Spirit of Prophecy," vol. 3, chapters 4 and 5.

NOTES.

1. The treasury.—The woe had been pronounced in the outer court of the temple. The Lord, having done His duty in this line, calmly retired to the court of the women, the innermost point to which they were admitted, and there sat down opposite the treasury. This consisted of thirteen large chests, with openings shaped like the bell of a trumpet, to receive the free-will offerings of the people.
2. Threw in two mites.—These offerings were for the priests and poor people. It made no difference to this woman, in the warmth of her loving zeal, that she was poorer than some for whom a portion of the money was intended. Besides, she did not positively know just what disposition the priests would make of her offering. She simply answered a call of duty, and left results with Him who seeth and knoweth all things.
3. Let him follow Me.—Jesus was to die, so that He might, like the planted wheat, bring forth a product like Himself. If these Greeks would see Him, and be like Him, let them bear in mind His work, and follow Him in it, and then they would have assurance of eternal life; otherwise they would abide alone in their knowledge of Him. This lesson is for all to-day.
4. If I be lifted up.—Altho Satan was compassing the death of Christ in order to destroy the "Seed of Abraham," and so make God's Word of no effect (Rom. 9:6), yet the death of the "Seed" would prove not only its restoration, but the multiplication of it (Gal. 3:29). Like the kernel of wheat, if He die, instead of abiding alone, He would cause the "seed of Abraham" to abound everywhere, by drawing all to Himself.