Gods Sabbath

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E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

important to us than to the multitude that followed Him. We no less than they need to learn the foundation principles of the kingdom of God.” The Desire of Ages , 299.3. The people were puzzled. They had come to hear a vindictive discourse against the Romans with the promise that very soon the “holy war” would be initiated, the enemy vanquished, and the Jews exalted to world dominion. Instead, they heard beauti ful ideals of love, peace, and purity, which they found difficult to reconcile with their preconceived expectations. It would have been interesting to hear the talk at the evening meals that night. Fathers would have been the recipients of searching questions from other family members asking how this man could be the Messiah when He said nothing about the Mes siah’s “real” mission. Some would have answered by pointing out that such a Deliverer would have to exercise extreme caution be cause of the spies and Roman soldiers present who were sent to report back to the authorities every word He spoke. Thus Jesus obviously could not tell them the things He would like to have said, so the real intent of His mission was carefully hidden be hind the harmless and beautiful expressions they had heard that day. It would be most unfortunate for the cause if the Ro mans should become prematurely aware of the real purpose of the Saviour’s advent, these men would have solemnly declared. Such rationalizations would have satisfied the people for the time being, so they still followed Christ with the continuing ex pectation that He would soon assert His authority, exercise His amazing powers, and put their plans into action. In every mira cle performed, they saw the assurance that the long-desired mo ment was fast approaching. Meanwhile, Christ pursued His un varying course of faithfulness to God’s plans, unmoved by the mounting pressure of the people who clung to their dream with unyielding determination.

The Feeding of the 5000

This untenable situation could not continue forever. A time had to come when the truth would at last dawn upon the minds of the Jews, and the shocking disappointment that Christ would