FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
November 17
THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 48)
“When the darkness lifted from the oppressed spirit of Christ, He revived to a SENSE OF PHYSICAL SUFFERING, and said, ‘I THIRST.’
One of the ROMAN SOLDIERS [not any of His disciples, brothers, or any of the Jewish religious leaders!], TOUCHED WITH PITY as he looked upon the parched lips, made a sponge on a stalk of hyssop, and dipping it in a vessel of VINEGAR, offered it to Jesus.
BUT THE PRIESTS MOCKED AT HIS AGONY. When darkness covered the earth, they had been filled with FEAR, as the terror abated, the TERROR returned that Jesus would yet ESCAPE them. His words, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ they had MISINTERPRETED.
With bitter contempt and scorn they said, ‘This Man calleth for Elias.’ THE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO RELIEVE HIS SUFFERINGS THEY REFUSED. ‘Let be,’ they said, ‘Let us see whether Elias will come to save Him.’” – E. G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 755.
Isn’t it imagination-defying that one of the cruel Roman soldiers (representing Rome, the hated national enemies of the Jewish nation then), carrying out the crucifixion of Jesus (as condemned by the Jewish leadership) would have a heart of sympathy for Christ in His horrifying dying agony at the “ninth hour” at the cross!
The Scriptures that says, “He came to His own and HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT” (John 1: 11, KJV) comprehends exceedingly far more than a mere refusal to acknowledge Him as the promised Messiah. They considered and treated Him as the worst of criminals of their day!
Moreover, mysterious divine forbearance was still extended to the Jewish RELIGIOUS LEADERS to the very last dying moments of Christ, an opportunity to show some form of any pity or empathy remaining in their hearts for Christ, whom Pilate himself publicly and emphatically declared to be innocent of all their false accusations and formal charges.
Instead, they mocked at his agony. By legitimate comparison and contrast, who do you think would have a better standing in their judgment—-that Roman soldier or any of the venerated priests?
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.