FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
November 30
THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 57)
The Kind of Sufferings of Christ at Calvary Foretold in Prophecy
“In the sufferings of Christ upon the cross, prophecy was fulfilled. Centuries before the crucifixion, the Savior [through His chosen pen men] had foretold the treatment He was to receive. He said, ‘Dogs have compassed Me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed Me: they pierced My hands and My feet. I may tell all My bones: they look and stare upon Me. They part My GARMENTS among them, and cast lots upon My VESTURE.’ Ps. 22: 16-18, KJV.
“The prophecy concerning His garments was carried out WITHOUT COUNSEL OR INTERFERENCE from the friends or the enemies of the Crucified One. To the [Roman] soldiers who had placed Him upon the cross, His CLOTHING was given. Christ HEARD the men’s contention as they parted the garments among them. [However] His TUNIC [vesture] WAS WOVEN THROUGHOUT WITHOUT SEAM, and they said, ‘Let us NOT REND IT, but CAST LOTS for it, whose it shall be.’
“In another prophecy the Savior declared, ‘Reproach hath BROKEN MY HEART; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take PITY, but there was NONE; and for COMFORTERS, but I found NONE. They gave Me also GALL for My meat [food]; and to My THIRST they gave Me VINEGAR [fermented wine] to drink.’ Ps. 69: 20, 21. [see John 19: 23, 24, 29, 30; Matt. 27:48].
To those who suffered death by the cross, it was permitted to give a STUPEFYING POTION, to deaden the sense of pain! This was offered to Jesus, but when He had tasted it, He REFUSED IT. [Why?] He would receive nothing that would BECLOUD HIS MIND. His FAITH must keep fast hold upon God [the Father]. THIS WAS HIS ONLY STRENGTH. To BECLOUD His senses would give Satan an ADVANTAGE.”- E.G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 746.
What a perfect example of uncompromising temperance! Christ nailed to the cross and dying, refusing anything that would mercifully help relieve the unbearable pain but would becloud His pure mind and morally-undefiled yet badly bruised body. Again, the perfect example on what it means to preserved one’s body as the “temple of the Holy Spirit!”
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.