the desire of ages-第32章
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In both the Old and the New Testament； the marriage relation is employed to represent the tender and sacred union that exists between Christ and His people。 To the mind of Jesus the gladness of the wedding festivities pointed forward to the rejoicing of that day when He shall bring home His bride to the Father's house； and the redeemed with the Redeemer shall sit down to the marriage supper of the Lamb。 He says； 〃As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride； so shall thy God rejoice over thee。〃 〃Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken； 。 。 。 but thou shalt be called My Delight； 。 。 。 for the Lord delighteth in thee。〃 〃He will rejoice over thee with joy； He will rest in His love； He will joy over thee with singing。〃 Isa。 62：5； 4； margin； Zeph。 3：17。 When the vision of heavenly things was granted to John the apostle； he wrote： 〃I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude； and as the voice of many waters； and as the voice of mighty thunderings； saying； Alleluia： for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth。 Let us be glad and rejoice； and give honor to Him： for the marriage of the Lamb is come； and His wife hath made herself ready。〃 〃Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb。〃 Rev。 19：6； 7； 9。
Jesus saw in every soul one to whom must be given the call to His kingdom。 He reached the hearts of the people by going among them as one who desired their good。 He sought them in the public streets； in private houses； on the boats； in the synagogue； by the shores of the lake； and at the marriage feast。 He met them at their daily vocations； and manifested an interest in their secular affairs。 He carried His instruction into the household； bringing families in their own homes under the influence of His divine presence。 His strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts。 He often repaired to the mountains for solitary prayer； but this was a preparation for His labor among men in active life。 From these seasons He came forth to relieve the sick； to instruct the ignorant； and to break the chains from the captives of Satan。
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It was by personal contact and association that Jesus trained His disciples。 Sometimes He taught them； sitting among them on the mountainside； sometimes beside the sea； or walking with them by the way； He revealed the mysteries of the kingdom of God。 He did not sermonize as men do today。 Wherever hearts were open to receive the divine message； He unfolded the truths of the way of salvation。 He did not command His disciples to do this or that； but said； 〃Follow Me。〃 On His journeys through country and cities He took them with Him； that they might see how He taught the people。 He linked their interest with His； and they united with Him in the work。
The example of Christ in linking Himself with the interests of humanity should be followed by all who preach His word； and by all who have received the gospel of His grace。 We are not to renounce social communion。 We should not seclude ourselves from others。 In order to reach all classes； we must meet them where they are。 They will seldom seek us of their own accord。 Not alone from the pulpit are the hearts of men touched by divine truth。 There is another field of labor； humbler； it may be； but fully as promising。 It is found in the home of the lowly； and in the mansion of the great； at the hospitable board； and in gatherings for innocent social enjoyment。
As disciples of Christ we shall not mingle with the world from a mere love of pleasure； to unite with them in folly。 Such associations can result only in harm。 We should never give sanction to sin by our words or our deeds； our silence or our presence。 Wherever we go； we are to carry Jesus with us； and to reveal to others the preciousness of our Saviour。 But those who try to preserve their religion by hiding it within stone walls lose precious opportunities of doing good。 Through the social relations； Christianity comes in contact with the world。 Everyone who has received the divine illumination is to brighten the pathway of those who know not the Light of life。
We should all become witnesses for Jesus。 Social power； sanctified by the grace of Christ； must be improved in winning souls to the Saviour。 Let the world see that we are not selfishly absorbed in our own interests； but that we desire others to share our blessings and privileges。 Let them see that our religion does not make us unsympathetic or exacting。 Let all who profess to have found Christ； minister as He did for the benefit of men。
We should never give to the world the false impression that Christians are a gloomy； unhappy people。 If our eyes are fixed on Jesus； we shall
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see a compassionate Redeemer； and shall catch light from His countenance。 Wherever His Spirit reigns； there peace abides。 And there will be joy also； for there is a calm； holy trust in God。
Christ is pleased with His followers when they show that； though human； they are partakers of the divine nature。 They are not statues； but living men and women。 Their hearts； refreshed by the dews of divine grace； open and expand to the Sun of Righteousness。 The light that shines upon them they reflect upon others in works that are luminous with the love of Christ。
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Chapter 16
In His Temple
〃After this He went down to Capernaum； He； and His mother； and His brethren； and His disciples： and they continued there not many days。 And the Jews' Passover was at hand； and Jesus went up to Jerusalem。〃
In this journey； Jesus joined one of the large companies that were making their way to the capital。 He had not yet publicly announced His mission； and He mingled unnoticed with the throng。 Upon these occasions； the coming of the Messiah； to which such prominence had been given by the ministry of John； was often the theme of conversation。 The hope of national greatness was dwelt upon with kindling enthusiasm。 Jesus knew that this hope was to be disappointed； for it was founded on a misinterpretation of the Scriptures。 With deep earnestness He explained the prophecies； and tried to arouse the people to a closer study of God's word。
The Jewish leaders had instructed the people that at Jerusalem they were to be taught to worship God。 Here during the Passover week large numbers assembled； coming from all parts of Palestine； and even from distant lands。 The temple courts were filled with a promiscuous throng。 Many were unable to bring with them the sacrifices that were to be
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offered up as typifying the one great Sacrifice。 For the convenience of these； animals were bought and sold in the outer court of the temple。 Here all classes of people assembled to purchase their offerings。 Here all foreign money was exchanged for the coin of the sanctuary。
Every Jew was required to pay yearly a half shekel as 〃a ransom for his soul；〃 and the money thus collected was used for the support of the temple。 Ex。 30：12…16。 Besides this； large sums were brought as freewill offerings； to be deposited in the temple treasury。 And it was required that all foreign coin should be changed for a coin called the temple shekel； which was accepted for the service of the sanctuary。 The money changing gave opportunity for fraud and extortion； and it had grown into a disgraceful traffic； which was a source of revenue to the priests。
The dealers demanded exorbitant prices for the animals sold； and they shared their profits with the priests and rulers； who thus enriched themselves at the expense of the people。 The worshipers had been taught to believe that if they did not offer sacrifice； the blessing of God would not rest on their children or their lands。 Thus a high price for the animals could be secured； for after coming so far； the people would not return to their homes without performing the act of devotion for which they had come。
A great number of sacrifices were offered at the time of the Passover； and the sales at the temple were very large。 The consequent confusion indicated a noisy cattle market rather than the sacred temple of God。 There could be heard sharp
