THE DESIRE OF AGES (Chapter 52) THE LAST JOURNEY FROM GALILEE --- Jesus had left Jerusalem for a season because of the malice of the priests and rabbis. But He now set out to return, and preceded by such an announcement of His coming as He had never made before. He was going forward to the scene of His great sacrifice, and to this the attention of the people must be directed. Satan was at hand to press his temptations upon the Son of man. Why should He now go to Jerusalem, to certain death? Had Jesus yielded for a moment, had He changed His course in the least particular to save Himself, Satan’s agencies would have triumphed, and the world would have been lost. But Jesus had “steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.” His steps are turned toward Jerusalem, where His foes have long plotted to take His life; now He will lay it down. He set His face steadfastly to go to persecution, denial, rejection, condemnation, and death. It is no part of Christ’s mission to compel men to receive Him. Christ is ever showing mercy, ever seeking to win by the revealing of His love. He desires only voluntary service, the willing surrender of the heart under the constraint of love. There can be no more conclusive evidence that we possess the spirit of Satan than the disposition to hurt and destroy those who do not appreciate our work, or who act contrary to our ideas. The Saviour is by the side of His tempted and tried ones. With Him there can be no such thing as failure, loss, impossibility, or defeat; we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. When temptations and trials come, do not wait to adjust all the difficulties, but look to Jesus, your helper. The science of salvation cannot be explained; but it can be known by experience. Only he who sees his own sinfulness can discern the preciousness of the Saviour.
Posted on: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 14:40:15 +0000