Gods Sabbath

C HAPTER 25

Opposing Principles of Operation

A prayerful reading of John 11 together with The Desire of Ages , chapter 58, can help to deepen the understanding of this chapter.

The Disciples Troubled W hile the family in Bethany had a deep experience of Sab bath rest, the disciples still had much to learn. The great est obstacle in their acquiring such an experience of true rest was their continuing misconception of the nature of Christ’s mission. Contrary to His disciples, the Saviour operated at the highest levels of faith and submission to divine planning. When the news reached Him that Lazarus was sick, He knew immediate ly that His Father had instituted a plan of great importance, so the event was no mystery to Him, nor was it any cause for sad ness and gloom. Consequently, He displayed neither concern nor sorrow when the messenger from Bethany arrived. But the disciples seemed to be ignorant of the principle that God’s children are called to be His witnesses under a wide va riety of circumstances. There was no place in their thinking for the fact that Lazarus was serving God in sickness and in death. They could see no good purpose being achieved, so they

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