the desire of ages-第148章
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ns that had long dwarfed the lives of thousands。 Before their testimony human theories and philosophies became as idle fables。 Mighty were the results flowing from the words of the Saviour to that wondering； awestruck crowd in the temple at Jerusalem。
But Israel as a nation had divorced herself from God。 The natural branches of the olive tree were broken off。 Looking for the last time upon the interior of the temple； Jesus said with mournful pathos； 〃Behold； your house is left unto you desolate。 For I say unto you； Ye shall not see Me henceforth； till ye shall say； Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord。〃 Hitherto He had called the temple His Father's house； but now； as the Son of God should pass out from those walls； God's presence would be withdrawn forever from the temple built to His glory。 Henceforth its ceremonies would be meaningless； its services a mockery。
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Chapter 68
In the Outer Court
And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast： the same came therefore to Philip； which was of Bethsaida of Galilee； and desired him； saying； Sir； we would see Jesus。 Philip cometh and telleth Andrew： and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus。〃
At this time Christ's work bore the appearance of cruel defeat。 He had been victor in the controversy with the priests and Pharisees； but it was evident that He would never be received by them as the Messiah。 The final separation had come。 To His disciples the case seemed hopeless。 But Christ was approaching the consummation of His work。 The great event which concerned not only the Jewish nation； but the whole world； was about to take place。 When Christ heard the eager request； 〃We would see Jesus；〃 echoing the hungering cry of the world； His countenance lighted up； and He said； 〃The hour is come； that the Son of man should be glorified。〃 In the request of the Greeks He saw an earnest of the results of His great sacrifice。
These men came from the West to find the Saviour at the close of His life； as the wise men had come from the East at the beginning。 At the time of Christ's birth the Jewish people were so engrossed with their own ambitious plans that they knew not of His advent。 The magi
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from a heathen land came to the manger with their gifts； to worship the Saviour。 So these Greeks； representing the nations； tribes； and peoples of the world； came to see Jesus。 So the people of all lands and all ages would be drawn by the Saviour's cross。 So shall many 〃come from the east and west； and shall sit down with Abraham； and Isaac； and Jacob； in the kingdom of heaven。〃 Matt。 8：11。
The Greeks had heard of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem。 Some supposed； and had circulated the report； that He had driven the priests and rulers from the temple； and that He was to take possession of David's throne； and reign as king of Israel。 The Greeks longed to know the truth in regard to His mission。 〃We would see Jesus；〃 they said。 Their desire was granted。 When the request was brought to Jesus； He was in that part of the temple from which all except Jews were excluded； but He went out to the Greeks in the outer court； and had a personal interview with them。
The hour of Christ's glorification had come。 He was standing in the shadow of the cross； and the inquiry of the Greeks showed Him that the sacrifice He was about to make would bring many sons and daughters to God。 He knew that the Greeks would soon see Him in a position they did not then dream of。 They would see Him placed beside Barabbas； a robber and murderer； who would be chosen for release before the Son of God。 They would hear the people； inspired by the priests and rulers； making their choice。 And to the question； 〃What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ？〃 the answer would be given； 〃Let Him be crucified。〃 Matt。 27：22。 By making this propitiation for the sins of men； Christ knew that His kingdom would be perfected； and would extend throughout the world。 He would work as the Restorer； and His Spirit would prevail。 For a moment He looked into futurity； and heard the voices proclaiming in all parts of the earth； 〃Behold the Lamb of God； which taketh away the sin of the world。〃 John 1：29。 In these strangers He saw the pledge of a great harvest； when the partition wall between Jew and Gentile should be broken down； and all nations； tongues； and peoples should hear the message of salvation。 The anticipation of this； the consummation of His hopes； is expressed in the words； 〃The hour is come； that the Son of man should be glorified。〃 But the way in which this glorification must take place was never absent from Christ's mind。 The gathering in of the Gentiles was to follow His approaching death。 Only by His death could the world be saved。 Like a grain of wheat； the
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Son of man must be cast into the ground and die； and be buried out of sight； but He was to live again。
Christ presented His future； illustrating it by the things of nature； that the disciples might understand。 The true result of His mission was to be reached by His death。 〃Verily； verily； I say unto you；〃 He said； 〃Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die； it abideth alone： but if it die； it bringeth forth much fruit。〃 When the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies； it springs up； and bears fruit。 So the death of Christ would result in fruit for the kingdom of God。 In accordance with the law of the vegetable kingdom； life was to be the result of His death。
Those who till the soil have the illustration ever before them。 Year by year man preserves his supply of grain by apparently throwing away the choicest part。 For a time it must be hidden under the furrow； to be watched over by the Lord。 Then appears the blade； then the ear； and then the corn in the ear。 But this development cannot take place unless the grain is buried out of sight； hidden； and to all appearance； lost。
The seed buried in the ground produces fruit； and in turn this is planted。 Thus the harvest is multiplied。 So the death of Christ on the cross of Calvary will bear fruit unto eternal life。 The contemplation of this sacrifice will be the glory of those who； as the fruit of it； will live through the eternal ages。
The grain of wheat that preserves its own life can produce no fruit。 It abides alone。 Christ could； if He chose； save Himself from death。 But should He do this； He must abide alone。 He could bring no sons and daughters to God。 Only by yielding up His life could He impart life to humanity。 Only by falling into the ground to die could He become the seed of that vast harvest；the great multitude that out of every nation； and kindred； and tongue； and people； are redeemed to God。
With this truth Christ connects the lesson of self…sacrifice that all should learn： 〃He that loveth his life shall lose it； and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal。〃 All who would bring forth fruit as workers together with Christ must first fall into the ground and die。 The life must be cast into the furrow of the world's need。 Self…love； self…interest； must perish。 And the law of self…sacrifice is the law of self…preservation。 The husbandman preserves his grain by casting it away。 So in human life。 To give is to live。 The life that will be preserved is the life that is freely given in service to God and man。 Those who for
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Christ's sake sacrifice their life in this world will keep it unto life eternal。
The life spent on self is like the grain that is eaten。 It disappears； but there is no increase。 A man may gather all he can for self； he may live and think and plan for self； but his life passes away； and he has nothing。 The law of self…serving is the law of self…destruction。
〃If any man serve Me；〃 said Jesus； 〃let him follow Me； and where I am； there shall also My servant be： if any man serve Me； him will My Father honor。〃 All who have borne with Jesus the cross of sacrifice will be sharers with Him of His glory。 It was the joy of Christ in His humiliation and pain that Hi
