the desire of ages-第106章
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At the first dawn of day； the priests sounded a long； shrill blast upon their silver trumpets； and the answering trumpets； and the glad shouts of the people from their booths； echoing over hill and valley； welcomed
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the festal day。 Then the priest dipped from the flowing waters of the Kedron a flagon of water； and； lifting it on high； while the trumpets were sounding； he ascended the broad steps of the temple； keeping time with the music with slow and measured tread； chanting meanwhile； 〃Our feet shall stand within thy gates； O Jerusalem。〃 Ps。 122：2。
He bore the flagon to the altar； which occupied a central position in the court of the priests。 Here were two silver basins； with a priest standing at each one。 The flagon of water was poured into one； and a flagon of wine into the other； and the contents of both flowed into a pipe which communicated with the Kedron； and was conducted to the Dead Sea。 This display of the consecrated water represented the fountain that at the command of God had gushed from the rock to quench the thirst of the children of Israel。 Then the jubilant strains rang forth； 〃The Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song；〃 〃therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation。〃 Isa。 12：2； 3。
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As the sons of Joseph made preparation to attend the Feast of Tabernacles； they saw that Christ made no movement signifying His intention of attending。 They watched Him with anxiety。 Since the healing at Bethesda He had not attended the national gatherings。 To avoid useless conflict with the leaders at Jerusalem； He had restricted His labors to Galilee。 His apparent neglect of the great religious assemblies； and the enmity manifested toward Him by the priests and rabbis； were a cause of perplexity to the people about Him； and even to His own disciples and His kindred。 In His teachings He had dwelt upon the blessings of obedience to the law of God； and yet He Himself seemed to be indifferent to the service which had been divinely established。 His mingling with publicans and others of ill repute； His disregard of the rabbinical observances； and the freedom with which He set aside the traditional requirements concerning the Sabbath； all seeming to place Him in antagonism to the religious authorities； excited much questioning。 His brothers thought it a mistake for Him to alienate the great and learned men of the nation。 They felt that these men must be in the right； and that Jesus was at fault in placing Himself in antagonism to them。 But they had witnessed His blameless life； and though they did not rank themselves with His disciples； they had been deeply impressed by His works。 His popularity in Galilee was gratifying to their ambition； they still hoped that He would give an evidence of His power which would lead the Pharisees to see that He was what He claimed to be。 What if He were the Messiah； the Prince of Israel！ They cherished this thought with proud satisfaction。
So anxious were they about this that they urged Christ to go to Jerusalem。 〃Depart hence；〃 they said； 〃and go into Judea； that Thy disciples also may see the works that Thou doest。 For there is no man that doeth anything in secret； and he himself seeketh to be known openly。 If Thou do these things； show Thyself to the world。〃 The 〃if〃 expressed doubt and unbelief。 They attributed cowardice and weakness to Him。 If He knew that He was the Messiah； why this strange reserve and inaction？ If He really possessed such power； why not go boldly to Jerusalem； and assert His claims？ Why not perform in Jerusalem the wonderful works reported of Him in Galilee？ Do not hide in secluded provinces； they said； and perform your mighty works for the benefit of ignorant peasants and fishermen。 Present yourself at the capital； win the support of the priests and rulers； and unite the nation in establishing the new kingdom。
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These brothers of Jesus reasoned from the selfish motive so often found in the hearts of those ambitious for display。 This spirit was the ruling spirit of the world。 They were offended because； instead of seeking a temporal throne； Christ had declared Himself to be the bread of life。 They were greatly disappointed when so many of His disciples forsook Him。 They themselves turned from Him to escape the cross of acknowledging what His works revealedthat He was the Sent of God。
〃Then Jesus said unto them； My time is not yet come： but your time is alway ready。 The world cannot hate you； but Me it hateth； because I testify of it； that the works thereof are evil。 Go ye up unto this feast： I go not up yet unto this feast； for My time is not yet full come。 When He had said these words unto them； He abode still in Galilee。〃 His brothers had spoken to Him in a tone of authority； prescribing the course He should pursue。 He cast their rebuke back to them； classing them not with His self…denying disciples； but with the world。 〃The world cannot hate you；〃 He said； 〃but Me it hateth； because I testify of it； that the works thereof are evil。〃 The world does not hate those who are like it in spirit； it loves them as its own。
The world for Christ was not a place of ease and self…aggrandizement。 He was not watching for an opportunity to seize its power and its glory。 It held out no such prize for Him。 It was the place into which His Father had sent Him。 He had been given for the life of the world； to work out the great plan of redemption。 He was accomplishing His work for the fallen race。 But He was not to be presumptuous； not to rush into danger； not to hasten a crisis。 Each event in His work had its appointed hour。 He must wait patiently。 He knew that He was to receive the world's hatred； He knew that His work would result in His death； but to prematurely expose Himself would not be the will of His Father。
From Jerusalem the report of Christ's miracles had spread wherever the Jews were dispersed； and although for many months He had been absent from the feasts； the interest in Him had not abated。 Many from all parts of the world had come up to the Feast of Tabernacles in the hope of seeing Him。 At the beginning of the feast many inquiries were made for Him。 The Pharisees and rulers looked for Him to come； hoping for an opportunity to condemn Him。 They anxiously inquired； 〃Where is He？〃 but no one knew。 The thought of Him was uppermost in all minds。 Through fear of the priests and rulers； none dared acknowledge
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Him as the Messiah； but everywhere there was quiet yet earnest discussion concerning Him。 Many defended Him as one sent from God； while others denounced Him as a deceiver of the people。
Meanwhile Jesus had quietly arrived at Jerusalem。 He had chosen an unfrequented route by which to go； in order to avoid the travelers who were making their way to the city from all quarters。 Had He joined any of the caravans that went up to the feast； public attention would have been attracted to Him on His entrance into the city； and a popular demonstration in His favor would have aroused the authorities against Him。 It was to avoid this that He chose to make the journey alone。
In the midst of the feast； when the excitement concerning Him was at its height； He entered the court of the temple in the presence of the multitude。 Because of His absence from the feast； it had been urged that He dared not place Himself in the power of the priests and rulers。 All were surprised at His presence。 Every voice was hushed。 All wondered at the dignity and courage of His bearing in the midst of powerful enemies who were thirsting for His life。
Standing thus； the center of attraction to that vast throng； Jesus addressed them as no man had ever done。 His words showed a knowledge
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of the laws and institutions of Israel； of the sacrificial service and the teachings of the prophets； far exceeding that of the priests and rabbis。 He broke through the barriers of formalism and tradition。 The scenes of the future life seemed outspread before Him。 As one who beheld the Unseen； He spoke of the earthly and the heavenly； the hu
