the desire of ages-第105部分
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
ction of the Holy Spirit； and had begun to carry out the teaching of the words written for ancient Israel as well as for ourselves。 The Lord had said long before； 〃If thy brother be waxen poor； and fallen in decay with thee； then thou shalt relieve him： yea； though he be a stranger； or a sojourner； that he may live with thee。 Take thou no usury of him； or increase： but fear thy God； that thy brother may live with thee。 Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury； nor lend him thy victuals for increase。〃 〃Ye shall not therefore oppress one another； but thou shalt fear thy God。〃 Lev。 25：35…37； 17。 These words had been spoken by Christ Himself when He was enshrouded in the pillar of cloud； and the very first response of Zacchaeus to the love of Christ was in manifesting compassion toward the poor and suffering。
Among the publicans there was a confederacy； so that they could oppress the people； and sustain one another in their fraudulent practices。 In their extortion they were but carrying out what had become an almost universal custom。 Even the priests and rabbis who despised them were guilty of enriching themselves by dishonest practices under cover of their sacred calling。 But no sooner did Zacchaeus yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit than he cast aside every practice contrary to integrity。
No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation。 The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken
556
sin； it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct。 Holiness is wholeness for God； it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven。
The Christian in his business life is to represent to the world the manner in which our Lord would conduct business enterprises。 In every transaction he is to make it manifest that God is his teacher。 〃Holiness unto the Lord〃 is to be written upon daybooks and ledgers； on deeds； receipts； and bills of exchange。 Those who profess to be followers of Christ； and who deal in an unrighteous manner； are bearing false witness against the character of a holy； just； and merciful God。 Every converted soul will； like Zacchaeus； signalize the entrance of Christ into his heart by an abandonment of the unrighteous practices that have marked his life。 Like the chief publican； he will give proof of his sincerity by making restitution。 The Lord says； 〃If the wicked restore the pledge； give again that he had robbed； walk in the statutes of life； without committing iniquity； 。 。 。 none of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him： 。 。 。 He shall surely live。〃 Ezek。 33：15； 16。
If we have injured others through any unjust business transaction； if we have overreached in trade； or defrauded any man； even though it be within the pale of the law； we should confess our wrong； and make restitution as far as lies in our power。 It is right for us to restore not only that which we have taken； but all that it would have accumulated if put to a right and wise use during the time it has been in our possession。
To Zacchaeus the Saviour said； 〃This day is salvation come to this house。〃 Not only was Zacchaeus himself blessed； but all his household with him。 Christ went to his home to give him lessons of truth； and to instruct his household in the things of the kingdom。 They had been shut out from the synagogues by the contempt of rabbis and worshipers； but now； the most favored household in all Jericho； they gathered in their own home about the divine Teacher； and heard for themselves the words of life。
It is when Christ is received as a personal Saviour that salvation comes to the soul。 Zacchaeus had received Jesus； not merely as a passing guest in his home； but as One to abide in the soul temple。 The scribes and Pharisees accused him as a sinner； they murmured against Christ for becoming his guest； but the Lord recognized him as a son of Abraham。 For 〃they which are of faith； the same are the children of Abraham。〃 Gal。 3：7。
（557）
Chapter 62
The Feast at Simon's House
Simon of Bethany was accounted a disciple of Jesus。 He was one of the few Pharisees who had openly joined Christ's followers。 He acknowledged Jesus as a teacher； and hoped that He might be the Messiah； but he had not accepted Him as a Saviour。 His character was not transformed； his principles were unchanged。
Simon had been healed of the leprosy； and it was this that had drawn him to Jesus。 He desired to show his gratitude； and at Christ's last visit to Bethany he made a feast for the Saviour and His disciples。 This feast brought together many of the Jews。 There was at this time much excitement at Jerusalem。 Christ and His mission were attracting greater attention than ever before。 Those who had come to the feast closely watched His movements； and some of them with unfriendly eyes。
The Saviour had reached Bethany only six days before the Passover； and according to His custom had sought rest at the home of Lazarus。 The crowds of travelers who passed on to the city spread the tidings that He was on His way to Jerusalem； and that He would rest over the Sabbath at Bethany。 Among the people there was great enthusiasm。 Many flocked to Bethany； some out of sympathy with Jesus； and others from curiosity to see one who had been raised from the dead。
Many expected to hear from Lazarus a wonderful account of scenes witnessed after death。 They were surprised that he told them nothing。
558
He had nothing of this kind to tell。 Inspiration declares； 〃The dead know not anything。 。 。 。 Their love； and their hatred； and their envy； is now perished。〃 Eccl。 9：5； 6。 But Lazarus did have a wonderful testimony to bear in regard to the work of Christ。 He had been raised from the dead for this purpose。 With assurance and power he declared that Jesus was the Son of God。
The reports carried back to Jerusalem by the visitors to Bethany increased the excitement。 The people were eager to see and hear Jesus。 There was a general inquiry as to whether Lazarus would accompany Him to Jerusalem； and if the prophet would be crowned king at the Passover。 The priests and rulers saw that their hold upon the people was still weakening； and their rage against Jesus grew more bitter。 They could hardly wait for the opportunity of removing Him forever from their way。 As time passed； they began to fear that after all He might not come to Jerusalem。 They remembered how often He had baffled their murderous designs； and they were fearful that He had now read their purposes against Him； and would remain away。 They could ill conceal their anxiety； and questioned among themselves； 〃What think ye； that He will not come to the feast？〃
A council of the priests and Pharisees was called。 Since the raising of Lazarus the sympathies of the people were so fully with Christ that it would be dangerous to seize upon Him openly。 So the authorities determined to take Him secretly； and carry on the trial as quietly as possible。 They hoped that when His condemnation became known； the fickle tide of public opinion would set in their favor。
Thus they proposed to destroy Jesus。 But so long as Lazarus lived； the priests and rabbis knew that they were not secure。 The very existence of a man who had been four days in the grave； and who had been restored by a word from Jesus； would sooner or later cause a reaction。 The people would be avenged on their leaders for taking the life of One who could perform such a miracle。 The Sanhedrin therefore decided that Lazarus also must die。 To such lengths do envy and prejudice lead their slaves。 The hatred and unbelief of the Jewish leaders had increased until they would even take the life of one whom infinite power had rescued from the grave。
While this plotting was going on at Jerusalem； Jesus and His friends were invited to Simon's feast。 At the table the Saviour sat with Simon； whom He had cured of a loathsome disease； on one side； and Lazarus； whom He had raised from the dead； on the other。 Martha served at the table； but Mary was earnestly listening to every word from the lips of
559
Jesus。 In His mercy； Jesus had pardoned her sins； He had called forth her beloved brother from the grave； and Mary's heart was filled with gratitude。 She had heard Jesus speak of His approaching death； and in her deep love and sorrow she had longed to show Him honor。 At great personal sacrifice she had purchased an alabaster box of 〃ointment of spikenard； very costly；〃 with which to anoint His body。 But now many were declaring that He was about to be crowned king。 Her grief was turned to joy； and she was eager to be first in honoring her Lord。 Breaking her box of ointment； she poured its contents upon the head and feet of Jesus； then； as she knelt weeping； moistening them with her tears； she wiped His feet with her long； flowing hair。
She had sought to avoid observation； and her movements might have passed unnoticed； but the ointment filled the room with its fragrance； and published her act to all present。 Judas looked upon this act with great displeasure。 Instead of waiting to hear what Christ would say of the matter； he began to whisper his complaints to those near him； throwing reproach upon Christ for suffering such waste。 Craftily he made suggestions that would be likely to cause disaffection。
Judas was treasurer for the disciples； and from their little store he had secretly drawn for his own use； thus narrowing down their resources to a meager pittance。 He was eager to put into the bag all that he could obtain。 The treasure in the bag was often drawn upon to relieve the poor； and when something that Judas did not think essential was bought； he would say； Why is this waste？ why was not the cost of this put into the bag that I carry for the poor？ Now the act of Mary was in such marked contrast to his selfishness that he was put to shame； and according to his custom； he sought to assign a worthy motive for his objection to her gift。 Turning to the disciples； he asked； 〃Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence； and
