FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
November 26
THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 55)
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
As Christ was being nailed to the cross,”The Savior made NO MURMUR OF COMPLAINT. His face remained CALM AND SERENE, but great drops of sweat stood upon His brow. There was NO PITYING HAND to wipe the death dew from His face, NOR WORDS of sympathy and unchanging fidelity to stay His HUMAN HEART.
“While the [Roman] soldiers were doing their fearful work, Jesus PRAYED FOR HIS ENEMIES, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ His mind passed from His suffering to the SIN OF HIS PERSECUTORS, AND THE TERRIBLE RETRIBUTIONS THAT WOULD BE THEIRS.
No curses were called down upon the SOLDIERS who were handling Him so roughly. No vengeance was invoked upon the PRIESTS AND RULERS who were GLOATING over the accomplishment of their purpose. Christ PITIED them in their ignorance and GUILT. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness – ‘for they know not what they do.’
“Had they known what they were putting to TORTURE One who had come to save the sinful race from eternal ruin, they would have been seized with remorse and guilt BUT THEIR IGNORANCE DID NOT REMOVE THEIR GUILT; FOR IT WAS THEIR PRIVILEGE TO KNOW AND ACCEPT JESUS AS THEIR SAVIOR.
Some of them would yet see their sin, and repent, and be converted. Some with their IMPENITENCE would make it an IMPOSSIBILITY FOR THE PRAYER OF CHRIST TO BE ANSWERED FOR THEM.
“That prayer of Christ for His ENEMIES embraced the WORLD. It took in EVERY SINNER that had lives or should live, from the beginning of the world to the end of time. UPON ALL RESTS THE GUILT OF CRUCIFYING THE SON OF GOD.
To all forgiveness is freely offered. ‘Whosoever will’ may have peace with God, and inherit eternal life.”- E.G. White, Desire of Ages, pp. 744, 745.
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.