Lesson 13

Epilogue:
Knowing Jesus and His Word
Sabbath afternoon, December 21

Jesus turned upon the rulers. . . . He rebuked them for the hardness of their
hearts, and their ignorance of the Scriptures. He declared that they had
rejected the word of God, inasmuch as they had rejected Him whom God had
sent. “Ye search the Scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal
life; and these are they which bear witness of Me.” John 5:39, R. V.
In every page, whether history, or precept, or prophecy, the Old Testament
Scriptures are irradiated with the glory of the Son of God. So far as it was of
divine institution, the entire system of Judaism was a compacted prophecy of
the gospel. To Christ “give all the prophets witness.” Acts 10:43. From the
promise given to Adam, down through the patriarchal line and the legal
economy, heaven’s glorious light made plain the footsteps of the Redeemer.
Seers beheld the Star of Bethlehem, the Shiloh to come, as future things
swept before them in mysterious procession. In every sacrifice Christ’s death
was shown. In every cloud of incense His righteousness ascended. By every
jubilee trumpet His name was sounded. In the awful mystery of the holy of
holies His glory dwelt.
The Jews had the Scriptures in their possession, and supposed that in their
mere outward knowledge of the word they had eternal life. But Jesus said, “Ye
have not His word abiding in you.” Having rejected Christ in His word, they
rejected Him in person. “Ye will not come to Me,” He said, “that ye might have
life.” —The Desire of Ages, pp. 211, 212.

“I am come in My Father’s name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall

come in his own name, him ye will receive.” Jesus came by the authority of
God, bearing His image, fulfilling His word, and seeking His glory; yet He was
not accepted by the leaders in Israel; but when others should come, assuming
the character of Christ, but actuated by their own will and seeking their own
glory, they would be received. And why? Because he who is seeking his own
glory appeals to the desire for self-exaltation in others. To such appeals the
Jews could respond. They would receive the false teacher because he flattered
their pride by sanctioning their cherished opinions and traditions. But the
teaching of Christ did not coincide with their ideas. It was spiritual, and
demanded the sacrifice of self; therefore they would not receive it. They were
not acquainted with God, and to them His voice through Christ was the voice
of a stranger.
Is not the same thing repeated in our day? Are there not many, even
religious leaders, who are hardening their hearts against the Holy Spirit,
making it impossible for them to recognize the voice of God? Are they not
rejecting the word of God, that they may keep their own traditions? —The
Desire of Ages, pp. 212, 213.
 Sunday, December 22

Meeting in Galilee
Peter, who still had much of his old love for boats and fishing, proposed
that they should go out upon the sea and cast their nets. In this plan all were
ready to join. . . . So they went out in their boat, but they caught nothing. All
night they toiled, without success. . . .
A stranger standing upon the beach . . . accosted them with the question,
“Children, have ye any meat?” When they answered, “No,” “He said unto
them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast
therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.”
John recognized the stranger, and exclaimed to Peter, “It is the Lord.” Peter
was so elated and so glad that in his eagerness he cast himself into the water
and was soon standing by the side of his Master. —The Desire of Ages, p. 810.

When, the third time, Christ said to Peter, “Lovest thou me?” the probe
reached the soul center. Self-judged, Peter fell upon the Rock, saying, “Lord,
thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.” . . .
Some assert that if a soul stumbles and falls, he can never regain his
position; but the case before us contradicts this. . . . In committing to his
stewardship the souls for whom He had given His life, Christ gave to Peter
the strongest evidence of His confidence in his restoration. . . .
Peter was now humble enough to understand the words of Christ, and
without further questioning, the once restless, boastful, self-confident
disciple became subdued and contrite. He followed his Lord indeed—the
Lord he had denied. The thought that Christ had not denied and rejected him
was to Peter a light and comfort and blessing. —Conflict and Courage, p. 322.

We must behold Christ. It is ignorance of Him that makes men so uplifted

in their own righteousness. When we contemplate His purity and excellence,
we shall see our own weakness and poverty and defects as they really are. We
shall see ourselves lost and hopeless, clad in garments of self-righteousness,
like every other sinner. . . .
The nearer we come to Jesus and the more clearly we discern the purity of
His character, the more clearly we shall discern the exceeding sinfulness of
sin and the less we shall feel like exalting ourselves. Those whom heaven
recognizes as holy ones are the last to parade their own goodness. The
apostle Peter became a faithful minister of Christ, and he was greatly honored
with divine light and power; he had an active part in the upbuilding of Christ’s
church; but Peter never forgot the fearful experience of his humiliation; his
sin was forgiven; yet well he knew that for the weakness of character which
had caused his fall only the grace of Christ could avail. He found in himself
nothing in which to glory. —Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 159, 160.
 Monday, December 23

Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus

Jesus walked alone with Peter, for there was something which He wished
to communicate to him only. . . . That he might be strengthened for the final
test of his faith, the Saviour opened to him his future. He told him that after
living a life of usefulness, when age was telling upon his strength, he would
indeed follow his Lord. . . .
Jesus thus made known to Peter the very manner of his death; He even
foretold the stretching forth of his hands upon the cross. Again He bade His
disciple, “Follow Me.” Peter was not disheartened by the revelation. He felt
willing to suffer any death for his Lord.
Heretofore Peter had known Christ after the flesh, as many know Him now;
but he was no more to be thus limited. He knew Him no more as he had
known Him in his association with Him in humanity. He had loved Him as a
man, as a heaven-sent teacher; he now loved Him as God. He had been
learning the lesson that to him Christ was all in all. Now he was prepared to
share in his Lord’s mission of sacrifice. When at last brought to the cross, he
was, at his own request, crucified with his head downward. He thought it too
great an honor to suffer in the same way as his Master did. —The Desire of
Ages, p. 815.

As Peter walked beside Jesus, he saw that John was following. A desire
came over him to know his future, and he “saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall
this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that
to thee? follow thou Me.” Peter should have considered that his Lord would
reveal to him all that it was best for him to know. It is the duty of everyone to
follow Christ, without undue anxiety as to the work assigned to others. In
saying of John, “If I will that he tarry till I come,” Jesus gave no assurance that
this disciple should live until the Lord’s second coming. He merely asserted
His own supreme power, and that even if He should will this to be so, it would
in no way affect Peter’s work. The future of both John and Peter was in the
hands of their Lord. —The Desire of Ages, p. 816.

We shall find that we must let loose of all hands except the hand of Jesus
Christ. Friends will prove treacherous and will betray us. . . . But we may trust
our hand in the hand of Christ amid darkness and peril.
The only way in which men will be able to stand firm in the conflict is to be
rooted and grounded in Christ. They must receive the truth as it is in Jesus.
And it is only as the truth is presented thus that it can meet the wants of the
soul. The preaching of Christ crucified, Christ our righteousness, is what
satisfies the soul’s hunger. —Last Day Events, pp. 150, 151.
 Tuesday, December 24

Light and Darkness

The Jewish leaders had studied the teachings of the prophets concerning
the kingdom of the Messiah; but they had done this, not with a sincere desire
to know the truth, but with the purpose of finding evidence to sustain their
ambitious hopes. When Christ came in a manner contrary to their
expectations, they would not receive Him; and in order to justify themselves,
they tried to prove Him a deceiver. When once they had set their feet in this
path, it was easy for Satan to strengthen their opposition to Christ. The very
words that should have been received as evidence of His divinity were
interpreted against Him. Thus they turned the truth of God into a lie, and the
more directly the Saviour spoke to them in His works of mercy, the more
determined they were in resisting the light. —The Desire of Ages, p. 212.

Holding up Christ as our only source of strength, presenting his matchless

love in having the guilt of the sins of men charged to his account and his own
righteousness imputed to man, in no case does away with the law or detracts
from its dignity. Rather, it places it where the correct light shines upon and
glorifies it. This is done only through the light reflected from the cross of
Calvary. The law is complete and full in the great plan of salvation, only as it
is presented in the light shining from the crucified and risen Saviour. This can
be only spiritually discerned. It kindles in the heart of the beholder ardent
faith, hope, and joy that Christ is his righteousness. This joy is only for those
who love and keep the words of Jesus, which are the words of God. —Selected
Messages, book 3, p. 176.

Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while
ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in
darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. John 12:35.
This is the warning we would give to you who claim to believe the truth.
“Yet a little while is the light with you.” We would ask you to consider the
shortness of human life, how swiftly time is passing. Golden opportunities
and privileges are within our reach. The plenteous, abundant mercy of God is
waiting your demand upon its richest treasures. The Saviour is waiting to
dispense His blessings freely, and the only question is, Will you accept them?
The rich provisions have been made, and light is shining in a variety of ways;
but this light will lose its preciousness to those who do not appreciate it, who
do not accept and respond to it, or, having received it, do not pass the light
along to others. —That I May Know Him, p. 87.
 Wednesday, December 25

Theology From “Above”

or From “Below”
He who blessed the nobleman at Capernaum is just as desirous of blessing
us. But like the afflicted father, we are often led to seek Jesus by the desire
for some earthly good; and upon the granting of our request we rest our
confidence in His love. The Saviour longs to give us a greater blessing than
we ask; and He delays the answer to our request that He may show us the
evil of our own hearts, and our deep need of His grace. He desires us to
renounce the selfishness that leads us to seek Him. Confessing our
helplessness and bitter need, we are to trust ourselves wholly to His love.
The nobleman wanted to see the fulfillment of his prayer before he should
believe; but he had to accept the word of Jesus that his request was heard
and the blessing granted. This lesson we also have to learn. Not because we
see or feel that God hears us are we to believe. We are to trust in His promises.
When we come to Him in faith, every petition enters the heart of God. When
we have asked for His blessing, we should believe that we receive it, and thank
Him that we have received it. Then we are to go about our duties, assured
that the blessing will be realized when we need it most. When we have
learned to do this, we shall know that our prayers are answered. God will do
for us “exceeding abundantly,” “according to the riches of His glory,” and “the
working of His mighty power.” Ephesians 3:20, 16; 1:19. —The Desire of Ages,
p. 200.

If we would have the spirit and power of the third angel’s message, we
must present the law and the gospel together, for they go hand in hand. As
a power from beneath is stirring up the children of disobedience to make
void the law of God, and to trample upon the truth that Christ is our
righteousness, a power from above is moving upon the hearts of those who
are loyal, to exalt the law, and to lift up Jesus as a complete Saviour. Unless
divine power is brought into the experience of the people of God, false
theories and ideas will take minds captive, Christ and His righteousness will
be dropped out of the experience of many, and their faith will be without
power or life. . . .
The burden of our message is not only the commandments of God, but
the faith of Jesus. A bright light shines upon our pathway today, and it leads
to increased faith in Jesus. We must receive every ray of light, and walk in it,
that it may not be our condemnation in the judgment. Our duties and
obligations become more important as we obtain more distinct views of
truth. Light makes manifest and reproves the errors that were concealed in
darkness; and as light comes, the life and character of men must change
correspondingly, to be in harmony with it. Sins that were once sins of
ignorance, because of the blindness of the mind, can no more be indulged in
without incurring guilt. As increased light is given, men must be reformed,
elevated, and refined by it, or they will be more perverse and stubborn than
before the light came. —Gospel Workers, pp. 161, 162.
 Thursday, December 26

Abiding in Jesus
“I am the vine, ye are the branches.” Can we conceive of a more intimate
relation to Christ than this? The fibers of the branch are almost identical with
those of the vine. The communication of life, strength, and fruitfulness from
the trunk to the branches is unobstructed and constant. The root sends its
nourishment through the branch. Such is the true believer’s relation to Christ.
He abides in Christ, and draws his nourishment from Him.
This spiritual relation can be established only by the exercise of personal
faith. This faith must express on our part supreme preference, perfect reliance,
entire consecration. Our will must be wholly yielded to the divine will; our
feelings, desires, interests, and honor, identified with the prosperity of Christ’s
kingdom and the honor of His cause, we constantly receiving grace from Him,
and Christ accepting gratitude from us. —My Life Today, p. 11.

Many have an idea that they must do some part of the work alone. They
have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin, but now they seek by their
own efforts to live aright. But every such effort must fail. Jesus says, “Without
Me ye can do nothing.” Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness,—all
depend upon our union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily,
hourly,—by abiding in Him,—that we are to grow in grace. He is not only the
Author, but the Finisher of our faith. It is Christ first and last and always. He is
to be with us, not only at the beginning and the end of our course, but at
every step of the way. David says, “I have set the Lord always before me:
because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psalm 16:8.
Do you ask, “How am I to abide in Christ?” In the same way as you received
Him at first. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye
in Him.” “The just shall live by faith.” Colossians 2:6; Hebrews 10:38. You gave
yourself to God, to be His wholly, to serve and obey Him, and you took Christ
as your Saviour. You could not yourself atone for your sins or change your
heart; but having given yourself to God, you believe that He for Christ’s sake
did all this for you. By faith you became Christ’s, and by faith you are to grow
up in Him—by giving and taking. You are to give all,—your heart, your will,
your service,—give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you
must take all,—Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be
your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting helper,—to give you
power to obey. —Steps to Christ, pp. 68, 69.

The strength of every soul is in God and not in man. Quietness and
confidence is to be the strength of all who give their hearts to God. Christ has
not a casual interest in us but an interest stronger than a mother for her child.
Our Saviour has purchased us by human suffering and sorrow, by insult,
reproach, abuse, mockery, rejection, and death. He is watching over you,
trembling child of God. He will make you secure under His protection. . . . Our
weakness in human nature will not bar our access to the heavenly Father, for
He [Christ] died to make intercession for us. —Sons and Daughters of God, p.
77.
 Friday, December 27

For Further Reading

The Upward Look, “Keep Looking Up,” p. 268;
Our High Calling, “A Safe Guide,” p. 16.