the desire of ages-第76章
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These things made His path a thorny one to travel。 So pained was Christ by the misapprehension in His own home that it was a relief to Him to go where it did not exist。 There was one home that He loved to visit；the home of Lazarus； and Mary； and Martha； for in the atmosphere of faith and love His spirit had rest。 Yet there were none on earth who could comprehend His divine mission； or know the burden which He bore in behalf of humanity。 Often He could find relief only in being alone； and communing with His heavenly Father。
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Those who are called to suffer for Christ's sake； who have to endure misapprehension and distrust； even in their own home； may find comfort in the thought that Jesus has endured the same。 He is moved with compassion for them。 He bids them find companionship in Him； and relief where He found it； in communion with the Father。
Those who accept Christ as their personal Saviour are not left as orphans； to bear the trials of life alone。 He receives them as members of the heavenly family； He bids them call His Father their Father。 They are His 〃little ones；〃 dear to the heart of God； bound to Him by the most tender and abiding ties。 He has toward them an exceeding tenderness； as far surpassing what our father or mother has felt toward us in our helplessness as the divine is above the human。
Of Christ's relation to His people； there is a beautiful illustration in the laws given to Israel。 When through poverty a Hebrew had been forced to part with his patrimony； and to sell himself as a bondservant； the duty of redeeming him and his inheritance fell to the one who was nearest of kin。 See Lev。 25：25； 47…49； Ruth 2：20。 So the work of redeeming us and our inheritance； lost through sin； fell upon Him who is 〃near of kin〃 unto us。 It was to redeem us that He became our kinsman。 Closer than father； mother； brother； friend； or lover is the Lord our Saviour。 〃Fear not；〃 He says； 〃for I have redeemed thee； I have called thee by thy name； thou art Mine。〃 〃Since thou wast precious in My sight； thou hast been honorable； and I have loved thee： therefore will I give men for thee； and people for thy life。〃 Isa。 43：1； 4。
Christ loves the heavenly beings that surround His throne； but what shall account for the great love wherewith He has loved us？ We cannot understand it； but we can know it true in our own experience。 And if we do hold the relation of kinship to Him； with what tenderness should we regard those who are brethren and sisters of our Lord！ Should we not be quick to recognize the claims of our divine relationship？ Adopted into the family of God； should we not honor our Father and our kindred？
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Chapter 34
The Invitation
〃Come unto Me； all ye that labor and are heavy…laden； and I will give you rest。〃
These words of comfort were spoken to the multitude that followed Jesus。 The Saviour had said that only through Himself could men receive a knowledge of God。 He had spoken of His disciples as the ones to whom a knowledge of heavenly things had been given。 But He left none to feel themselves shut out from His care and love。 All who labor and are heavy…laden may come unto Him。
Scribes and rabbis； with their punctilious attention to religious forms； had a sense of want that rites of penance could never satisfy。 Publicans and sinners might pretend to be content with the sensual and earthly； but in their hearts were distrust and fear。 Jesus looked upon the distressed and heart burdened； those whose hopes were blighted； and who with earthly joys were seeking to quiet the longing of the soul； and He invited all to find rest in Him。
Tenderly He bade the toiling people； 〃Take My yoke upon you； and learn of Me； for I am meek and lowly in heart： and ye shall find rest unto your souls。〃
In these words Christ is speaking to every human being。 Whether they know it or not； all are weary and heavy…laden。 All are weighed down with burdens that only Christ can remove。 The heaviest burden that we bear is the burden of sin。 If we were left to bear this burden； it
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would crush us。 But the Sinless One has taken our place。 〃The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all。〃 Isa。 53：6。 He has borne the burden of our guilt。 He will take the load from our weary shoulders。 He will give us rest。 The burden of care and sorrow also He will bear。 He invites us to cast all our care upon Him； for He carries us upon His heart。
The Elder Brother of our race is by the eternal throne。 He looks upon every soul who is turning his face toward Him as the Saviour。 He knows by experience what are the weaknesses of humanity； what are our wants； and where lies the strength of our temptations； for He was in all points tempted like as we are； yet without sin。 He is watching over you； trembling child of God。 Are you tempted？ He will deliver。 Are you weak？ He will strengthen。 Are you ignorant？ He will enlighten。 Are you wounded？ He will heal。 The Lord 〃telleth the number of the stars；〃 and yet 〃He healeth the broken in heart； and bindeth up their wounds。〃 Ps。 147：4； 3。 〃Come unto Me；〃 is His invitation。 Whatever your anxieties and trials； spread out your case before the Lord。 Your spirit will be braced for endurance。 The way will be opened for you to disentangle yourself from embarrassment and difficulty。 The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be； the stronger will you become in His strength。 The heavier your burdens； the more blessed the rest in casting them upon the Burden Bearer。 The rest that Christ offers depends upon conditions； but these conditions are plainly specified。 They are those with which all can comply。 He tells us just how His rest is to be found。
〃Take My yoke upon you；〃 Jesus says。 The yoke is an instrument of service。 Cattle are yoked for labor； and the yoke is essential that they may labor effectually。 By this illustration Christ teaches us that we are called to service as long as life shall last。 We are to take upon us His yoke； that we may be co…workers with Him。
The yoke that binds to service is the law of God。 The great law of love revealed in Eden； proclaimed upon Sinai； and in the new covenant written in the heart； is that which binds the human worker to the will of God。 If we were left to follow our own inclinations； to go just where our will would lead us； we should fall into Satan's ranks and become possessors of his attributes。 Therefore God confines us to His will； which is high； and noble； and elevating。 He desires that we shall patiently and wisely take up the duties of service。 The yoke of service Christ Himself has borne in humanity。 He said； 〃I delight to do Thy will； O My God： yea； Thy law is within My heart。〃 Ps。 40：8。 〃I came down
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from heaven； not to do Mine own will； but the will of Him that sent Me。〃 John 6：38。 Love for God； zeal for His glory； and love for fallen humanity； brought Jesus to earth to suffer and to die。 This was the controlling power of His life。 This principle He bids us adopt。
There are many whose hearts are aching under a load of care because they seek to reach the world's standard。 They have chosen its service； accepted its perplexities； adopted its customs。 Thus their character is marred； and their life made a weariness。 In order to gratify ambition and worldly desires； they wound the conscience； and bring upon themselves an additional burden of remorse。 The continual worry is wearing out the life forces。 Our Lord desires them to lay aside this yoke of bondage。 He invites them to accept His yoke； He says； 〃My yoke is easy； and My burden is light。〃 He bids them seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness； and His promise is that all things needful to them for this life shall be added。 Worry is blind； and cannot discern the future； but Jesus sees the end from the beginning。 In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief。 Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us； of which we know nothing。 Those who accept the one principle of making the service and honor of God supreme will find perplexities v
