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SOUTHERN ASIA DIVISION OF

. H. STICKLE. TREASU

Dear Fellow Sabbath School Member:Thank you for the thirteenth Sabbath offering overflow t o Southern Asiain third quarter, 1 9 7 2 . This provided expansion f o r facilities a t t h eBurma Union Seminary, a new dormitory f o r boys a t t h e Kottarakara HighSchool i n South I n d i a , and improvement o f administration buildings anddormitories a t the Roorkee S c h o o l i n North I n d i a .At the present our needs are sky-rocketing while the value of pur moneyi s dropping; therefore we appeal f o r your support again.Two-thirds of the overflow will go t o Spicer Memorial College. In 1 9 4 2 ,Spicer Memorial College was designed f o r 200 students. Today over 1,000students are on campus. Under God's providence the College has been ablet o adhere t o Adventist educational philosophy and i t s graduates havebeen accepted into universities i n various parts o f t h e world. Circumstances now indicate, however, t h a t we should obtain official governmentrecognition. Providentially, t h e way i s opening f o r u s t o obtain t h i sf a v o r . This calls f o r : ( 1 ) expansion o f library facilities, ( 2 ) a newscience complex, and ( 3 ) demonstration schools f o r both secondary andprimary divisions.The other one-third o f t h e offering will be applied toward t h e purchaseof land on which t o build churches f o r our rapidly growing constituency.Ten years a g o , i n t h e Kerala s e c t i o n , there was a membership o f just over4,000. Today i t exceeds 1 2 , 0 0 0 a growth of over 3 0 0 % . Southern Asiahas today three such sections with membership i n excess of ten thousand.Church buildings continue t o be our urgent need i n many places.M ay we urge you t o give liberally while you c a n , and your money still r e -tains value. And, thank y o u , again.

j i n c e r e l y yours,

R . S . L o w r y (PresidentSouthern Asia Division

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Lesson Titles for the Quarter1. Jesus Reflected Him2. He Cares About People3. He Readily Forgives4. He Hates Sin5. He Hears People's Pleas6. He Is Concerned for Individuals7. He Gives Grace8. He Requires Obedience9. He Sustained Jesus in Trouble

10. He Heals People11. He Is Self-denying12. He Gives Life13. He Desires People's Freedom

Copyright 1974 by Pacific Press Publishing AssociationCover photo by Concerned Communications

Adult Sabbath School Lessons (regular edition), No. 319, January-March,1975. Single copy, 35 cents; four issues (1 year), $1.40; no additional chargeto countries requiring extra postage. Published in the U.S.A., by Pacific PressPublishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), 1350 Villa Street, MountainView, California 94042. Second-class mail privileges authorized at MountainView, California. Form 3579 requested. When a change of address is desired,please be sure to send both old and new addresses.The regular Adult Sabbath School Lessons are available free each month inBraille and 16% rpm records to blind and physically handicapped personswho cannot read normal inkprint. This includes individuals who because ofarthritis, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, accidents, old age, and so forth, cannothold or focus on normal inkprint publications. Contact the Christian RecordBraille Foundation, Box 6097, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506.

TH E COVERThe nail-wounded hand is a readily recognized symbol of Jesus,emphasizing especially His self-sacrificing love. The heavenwardpointing finger represents the purpose of Christ's whole earthlylife to tell the world what God is really like.

1 A Q T 1 - 7 5

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WHAT IS "DAYBREAK"?A new series of Adult Sabbath School Lessons entitled "DaybVeak" beginswith this issue. The series grows out of th e three angels' messages of Revelation 14 . The lessons fo r each quarter will be on a subject which is included inth e three angels' messages, but they will not be a study of th e passage inRevelation which records th e three messages. Ellen G . White has statedregarding these messages:"The theme of greatest importance is th e third angel's message embracingthe messages of th e first and second angels. All should understand th e truthscontained in these messages an d demonstrate them in th e daily life, for this isessential to salvation. We shall have to study earnestly, prayerfully, in order tounderstand these grand truths; and our power to learn an d comprehend willbe taxed to the utmost."Evangelism, page 196.But why have a series of lessons? There are tw o main reasons. First, toassure balance in th e lessons over an extended period of t ime so that a giventopic is studied neither to o fe w nor to o many t imes. Second, to provide aconnection between one quarter's lessons and th e next. Thus th e lessons foreach quarter will be related to those of th e preceding quarter and to those ofth e following quarter. This seque nce of subjects will provide, as th e series advances, a constantly growing base on which each member may build his studyin any current quarter.While th e "Daybreak Series" has been planned with balance and sequence,

provision has also been made fo r flexibility. Thus, if circumstances make itdesirable, th e sequence of th e lessons could be changed or a new subjectintroduced, but prepared in such a way as to be compatible with the overal lplan.The plan for the series is based on six areas of study:

1. Revelation of G od 4. Worship of th e Creator2 . G od an d man 5 . Worldwide mission3. The Christian life 6. Last-day prophecy

Each of these areas will be infused with th e gospel . These six areas willnot be entirely discrete, as some overlapping between subjects is nearlyunavoidable. These areas may be regarded as six peaks or high points of the,me ssage. Thus the other five areas may be viewed from an y one of th e six.This present subject"God Is Like This"comes under th e heading o farea 1, Revelation of G o d . Next quarter th e lessons will come under th e headin g of God and man, and so on consecutively for six quarters. Every seventhquarter during th e series th e lessons will return to area 1 an d thus begin anotherround of study in the same areas as the previous six quarters, but on newthemes.The name, "Daybreak," points to th e second advent of Jesus. The goal ofthese lessons is to encourage an d aid Sabbath School members to prepare tomeet Jesus, an d hasten His appearing. "Daybreak" will help to remind us ofthis goal as we study each lesson.M ay we suggest that at the beginning of th e "Daybreak Series" is a goodt ime for a renewal of your daily study pledge.

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GOD IS LIKE THIS-

INT R ODUC T IONI t may seem to people that God is distant and unknowable. Theydon't see Him, and they don't think they have personally heard fromHim. The Adventist person's whole religious life stems from hisbelief that, while God can't be seen, He is near and has been heardfrom. He believes that since the Fall, G od has communicated withpeople through nature, prophets, and special providences. Theseavenues conveyed to people a knowledge of G o d , but always onestep removed from actually seeing G o d . One could see H is productsin nature, or His mighty acts in emergency situations, or hear Hiswords proclaimed by a prophet, or see symbols that representedHis acts of salvation for His earthly children. What more could m anhope for? He could hope to see G od Himself. Nature, tarnished bysin, gave only a partial testimony about G o d ; words, plagued byambiguity, gave an equivocal testimony; and symbols, subject tomisinterpretation and perversion of purpose soon lost their meaning.But why is it important to hear from God? For the same reasonthat it is important to find directions for use enclosed with a productyou purchase.The manufacturer of the product, especially if th e product iscomplex, provides directions for use. These directions are necessaryin order to prevent injury to the user or damage to the productand to assure that the buyer has the right product to fit his need.This world, its people, and other life forms are God's products. Howshall people, at once products and users, know how to use whatG od has made, especially themselvesespecially when someoneelse has distributed directions for use destructive to th e user andlibelous to the Maker? So we need- to hear from th e Maker. Weneed to know that He is to be trusted in th e directions He gives.Even more importantly we need to know the nature of H is character because the directions for human character grow out of thedivine character; and as one by knowing G od learns to trust G o d ,his confidence in H im prompts consent to God's character as thebase of his own life-style. So G od Himself came to earth as Jesusof Nazareth in order that people could become acquainted withthe unseen Father through the visible Jesus. Ellen G . White wrote:"In every circumstance, however trivial, he [Jesus] represented theFather."Review and Herald, April 14 , 1896.

The entire life of JesusHis teachings, miracles, incidents, andpersonal experiencesis a reflection to th e world that "God is likethis."

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"A s a personal being, God ha s revealed Himself inH is Son. . . ."Christ, the Light of the world, veiled the dazzlingsplendor of H is divinity and came to live a s a man amongmen, that they might, without being consumed, becomeacquainted with their Creator. . . ."Christ came to teach human beings what God desiresthem to know. . . .

"He [God] sent His Son into the world to manifest, sofar as could be endured by human sight, the nature andthe attributes of the invisible God."

The Ministry of Healing, pages 418, 419."No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the

Father, he has made him known." John 1:18, RSV.G od revealed Himself to men in Old Testament t imes. Reference is made

to this revelation in Hebrews 1:1. He revealed Himself first of all to Adam andthen to a succession o f . prophets who spoke an d later wrote God's messages. Hecame down on Mount Sinai in majesty in th e presence of th e congregation ofIsrael.

The tabernacle was establ ished to reveal in some detail how G od relatedHimself to man. But all of these revelations had one weakness. They did notshow in human experience what G od is like. Words and other symbols couldreveal many things about Go d , but only a l iving person could communicate the

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LESSON 1December 29-January 4

GOD IS LIKE THIS- JesusReflectedH imexper ience of shaping life in a sinful world according to the character of Go d .Ellen G . White wrote."No verbal description could reveal G od to the world. Through a life of

purity, a life of perfect trust an d submission to the will of God , a life of humiliation such as even th e highest seraph in heaven would have shrunk from, G odHimself must be revealed to humanity. In order to do this, our Saviour clothedHis divinity with humanity. He employed the human faculties, for only by adopting these could He be comprehended by humanity. Only humanity could reachhumanity. He lived out the character of G od through the human body whichG od had prepared for Him. He blessed the world by l iving out in human fleshthe life of Go d , thus showing that He had the power to unite humanity todivinity."Ellen G . White Comments, SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 7 , p. 92 4 .

"All that m an needs to know or can know of G od has been revealed in thelife and character of His Son....

"Taking humanity upon Him, Christ came to be one with humanity and atthe same t ime to reveal our heavenly Father to sinful human beings. He was inall things made like unto His brethren. He became f lesh, even as we are. Hewas hungry and thirsty an d weary. He was sustained by food an d refreshed bysleep. He shared the lot of men, and yet He was the blameless Son of Go d . Hewas a stranger an d a sojourner on the earthin the world, but not of theworld; tempted an d tried as men an d women today are tempted and tried, yetliving a l ife free from sin."Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 286.

L E S S O N O U T L I N E1 . Jesus Revealed the Father, John 14:92. H is Deeds Prompted by H is Father, John 5:193. H is Words Prompted by H is Father, John 12:494. Jesus Did H is Father's Will, John 6:385. Jesus Relied on the Scriptures, Matt. 4:4, 7, 106. The Meaning of Jesus'Life, John 14:10 7

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Jesus Reflected Him L E S S O N 1 Q SundayDecember 29P a r t i

J E S U S R E V E A L E DT H E F A T H E R

T H I N K I T T H R O U G H

F U R T H E R S T U D Y

"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time withyou, and yet hast thou not known m e, Philip? he that hathseen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then.Shew us the Father?" John 14:9.

"Is it possible, Christ said, that after walking with Me, hearin g M y words, seeing the miracle of feeding th e five thousand,of healing th e sick of th e dread disease leprosy, of bringingth e dead to life, of raising Lazarus, who was a prey to death,whose body had indeed seen corruption, you do not know Me?Is it possible that you do not discern th e Father in th e worksthat He does by M e? . . ."Christ emphatically impressed upon them th e fact thatthey could see the Father by faith alone. G od cannot be seenin external form by any human being. Christ alone can represent the Father to humanity. This representation th e discipleshad been privileged to behold for over three years."Ellen G .White Comments, SD A Bible Commentary, Vol. 5 , pp. 1141,1142.In the introduction to his gospel what relationship doesthe apostle John show exists between God and Jesus? John

1:1-3, 1 4."What speech is to thought, so is Christ to th e invisibleFather. ...He made known in His words, His character, Hispower and majesty, the nature and attributes of God . Divinityflashed through humanity in softening, subduing light. He wasth e embodiment of th e law of G o d , which is th e transcript ofHis character."Ellen G . White Comments , S D A Bible Commentary, Vol. 5 , p. 1131.In what way does the Word becoming flesh correspond to

the Old Testament prophecy quoted by the evangelist Matthew? Matt. 1:23; cf. Isa. 7:14.How has the unseen God become known to men? John1:18.Of what importance, if any, is Christ's incarnation to therestoration of m an to his pristine perfection?"The Saviour was deeply anxious for His disciples to understand for what purpose His divinity was united to humanity. He

came to th e world to display the glory of God , that man mightbe uplifted by its restoring power. G od was manifested inHim that He might be manifested in them. Jesus revealed noqualities, and exercised no powers, that men m ay not havethrough faith in Him. His perfect humanity is that which al lHis followers may possess, if they will be in subjection toG od as He was."The Desire of Ages, page 664 .The Desire of Ages, pages 19-22 .

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Jesus Reflected Him L E S S O N 1 D MondayDecember 30P a r t 2

H I S D E E D SP R O M P T E D D Y

H I S F A T H E R



"Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily,I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but whathe seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, thesealso doeth the Son likewise." John 5:19.

See also John 5:30."My authority, He [Jesus] said, for doing the work of whichyou accuse M e, is that I am th e Son of God, one with Him innature, in will, an d in purpose. . . . The Son of G od was surrendered to the Father's will, an d dependent upon His power.So utterly was Christ emptied of self that He made no plansfor Himself. He accepted God 's plans for Him, an d day by dayth e Father unfolded His plans. So should we depend uponGo d , that our l ives m ay be the simple outworking of His will."The Desire of Ages, page 208.What was to be the attitude of Jesus toward His Father'swill as foreseen prophetically by the psalmist? Ps. 40:8. H owdoes the prophet Isaiah express the same idea in a servantsong? Isa. 50:4, 5.The Living Bible paraphrases part of Isaiah 50:4, 5 thisway: "Morning by morning he wakens me an d opens my understanding to his will. The Lord G od has spoken to me and Ihave l istened; I do not rebel nor turn away."What is m y attitude toward God's expressed will in HisWord and the promptings of His Holy Spirit to me personally?"God's way is always the right an d the prudent way. Healways brings honor to His name. Man's only security againstrash, ambitious movements is to keep the heart in harmonywith Christ Jesus. Man's wisdom is untrustworthy. M an isfickle, filled with self-esteem, pride, an d self ishness. Let theworkers doing God 's service trust wholly in the Lord."Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 106."The strength of those who love and serve Him will be re newed day by day. His understanding will be placed at theirservice, that they may not err in the carrying out of His purposes."Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 11 ."W e are to exercise wisdom an d judgment in every actiono f life, that we m ay not, by reckless movements, place ourselves in trial. We are not to plunge into difficulties, neglectingthe means G od has provided, an d misusing the faculties He

has given us. Christ's workers are to obey His instructionsimplicitly. The work is God's, an d if we would bless othersHis plans must be fol lowed. Self cannot be made a center;self can receive no honor. I f we plan according to our ownideas, the Lord will leave us to our own mistakes. But when,after followng His directions, we are brought into strait places,He will deliver us."The Desire of Ages, page 369.The Ministry of Healing, pages 478 , 479 .

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Jesus Reflected Him L E S S O N 1 Q T u esdayDecember 31P a r t s

H I S W O R D SP R O M P T E D D Y

H I S F A T H E R

What was the source of Jesus' words?"For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father whichsent me, he gave m e a commandment, what I should say,

and what I should speak." John 12:49.See also John 3:34; 8:26, 2 8.Today's English Version translates John 12:49 : "The Fatherwho sent me has commanded me what I must say an d speak."From John 3:34 it is clear that it was through the Holy Spiritthat Jesus was given th e appropriate words to speak on eachparticular occasion. G od is l ikewise eager to guide yo u an dme in our activities, and even in our speech."W e are to be laborers together with th e heavenly angelsin presenting Jesus to th e world. With almost impatient eagerness the angels wait fo r our co-operation; fo r man must be th echannel to communicate with man. And when we give ourselvesto Christ in wholehearted devot ion, angels rejoice that theymay speak through our voices to reveal God 's love."TheDesire of Ages, page 29 7 .Note how Jesus, through this guidance, was able to speakapt words in difficult situations. Matt. 21:23-27; 22:15-22;

John 8:1-1 l;cf. Isa. 50:4.THINK IT THROUGH How do you know that God was not partial to Jesus in

guiding Him more minutely than He is willing to guide youand m e?

"When you rise in th e morning, do you feel your helplessnessan d your need of strength from God? and do you humbly,heartily make known your wants to your heavenly Father? I fso, angels mark your prayers, an d if these prayers have notgone forth out of feigned lips, when you are in danger of unconsciously doing wrong an d exerting an influence which willlead others to do wrong, your guardian angel will be by yourside, prompting you to a better course, choosing your wordsfor you, an d influencing your actions."Testimonies, Vol. 3,pp. 363, 364.

F U R T H E R S T U D Y10

The Sanctified Life, pages 14-17 .

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Jesus Reflected Him LESSON T WednesdayJanuary 1P a r t 4

J E S U S D I D H I SF A T H E R ' S W I L L



"For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will,but the will of him that sent me." John 6:38.

See also John 4:34; 8 :29 .Today's English Version renders John 4:34: " 'My food,'

Jesus said to them, 'is to obey the will of him who sent m eand finish the work he gave m e to do.' ""Jesus' complete submission to H is Father is an assuranceto the believer that all that Jesus does for him has its sourcein the loving heart of G o d . Christ's words here clearly demonstrate the falsity of the opinion that God is angry with m anand that salvation for sinners has its basis in Christ's havingappeased the Father's wrath. Rather, Jesus' life of ministryand sacrificial death for m an were expressions of H is Father'slove."S D A Bible Commentary, on John 6:38.

From whom did the Jewish contemporaries of Jesus seekhonor and approval, and to whom was Jesus on the otherhand supremely loyal? John 5:41-44.

Phillips translates John 5:41 in this way: "Men's approvalor disapproval means nothing to m e, but I can tell you that youhave none of the love of G od in your hearts.""The ultimate success of Jesus' work did not depend uponwhether the Jewish leaders of H is day recognized H im as theMessiah. The purposes of His message and His ministry transcended any approbation that human beings could give. Hisultimate aim was the conquest of th e kingdom of evil for theglory of God."S D A Bible Commentary, on John 5 :41 .

What words had the psalmist prophetically put in themouth of Jesus, expressing the source of H is joy and pleasure?Ps . 40:8.

"The one law of H is [Jesus'] life was the Father's will. In thevisit to the temple in His boyhood, He had said to Mary, 'Wistye not that I must be about M y Father's business?' Luke 2:49."The Desire of Ages, page 486 .How may I be honored by God? John 12:26."If you would, as a church, secure the rich blessing ofGod, you must individually make Him first and last and bestin every thought, plan, and work. Obedience to God is the

first duty of the Christian. A humble mind and a gratefulheart will elevate us above petty trials and real difficulties.The less earnest, energetic, and vigilant we are in the serviceof the Master, the more will the mind dwell upon self, magnifying molehills into mountains of difficulty. W e shall feel thatwe are abused, when no disrespect even was designed."Testimonies, Vol. 4 , pp. 610, 611 .

Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 107.11

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Jesus Reflected Him LESSON 1 ThursdayJanuary 2P a r t s

J E S U S R E L I E D O NT H E S C R I P T U R E S



"But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall notlive 'by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth outof the mouth of God." Matt. 4:4.

See also verses 7,10.As a man, Jesus did not follow His own notions or convenience as to what to do when faced with a choice; He acceptedth e Scriptures as His guide. The Scriptures of His day wereth e Old Testament. That He knew its teachings is evident fromthe answers He gave Satan in response to his temptations. Al lHis replies were from th e book of Deuteronomy; namely, 8:3;6 :16 ; 6:13.What admission did the Jews make about Jesus? John7:15."The question asked during th e Saviour's ministry, 'Howknoweth this man letters, having never learned?' does not indicate that Jesus was unable to read, but merely that He hadnot received a rabbinical education. John 7 :15 . Since Hegained knowledge as we may do, His int imate acquaintancewith the Scriptures shows how diligently His early years weregiven to the study of God's word."7/ie Desire of Ages, page

7 0. In encountering the tempter, Jesus appraised his statementssolely by the Written Word rather than by his appearance. "Inthe wilderness of temptation Satan came to Christ as an angelfrom the courts of God . It was by his words, not by his appearance, that the Saviour recognized the enemy."Ellen G .White, Review and Herald, July 2 2 , 1909.How do the three basic temptations listed by the apostle

John compare with the temptations Jesus faced? 1 John 2:16.By what means do you and I evaluate the ideas and planspresened to us ?"Satan comes to man with his temptations as an angel oflight, as he came to Christ. . . ."Those who would have clear minds to discern Satan's devices must have their physical appetites under th e control ofreason and conscience. The moral and vigorous action of thehigher powers of th e mind are essential to th e perfection ofChristian character. And the strength or th e weakness of themind has very much to do with our usefulness in this world,an d with our f inal salvation."Messages fo Young People,pages 236 , 237."God's holy, educating Spirit is in His word. A light, a newand precious l ight, shines forth from every page. . . ."There will grow in the fruitful mind a familiarity with divinethings that will be as a barricade against temptation."Christ'sObject Lessons, page 132.Selected Messages, Bk. 1, pp. 274 - 280 .

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Jesus Reflected Him L E S S O N 1 D FridayJanuary 3Part6

T H E M E A N I N G O FJ E S U S ' L I F E


"Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Fatherin m e? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself:but the Father that dwe le th in m e, he doeth the works."John 14:10.

Jesus repeatedly pointed to the Father as th e source of Hisl ife-style. The acts He did, an d the words He spoke, He attributed to His heavenly Father. In this way the Father becameunderstandable to those who saw and heard Jesus."The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. . . .To know G od is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only oneBeing in all the universe could do. Only He who knew th eheight an d depth of th e love of G od could make it known. Uponth e world's dark night th e Sun of Righteousness must rise,'with healing in His wings. ' Mal. 4:2."The Desire of Ages,page 2 2 .When Jesus perfomed a miracle of healing, that act hadmeaning. It showed not only that He possessed this mightypower, but that the deed He did was the deed of th e Father.When Jesus spoke His lessons of truth, He was really sayingthat His lessons were th e lessons of th e Father. His wholelife was the statement that "God is like this.""Christ's favorite theme was the paternal character andabundant love of God . This knowledge of God was Christ's owngift to men, and this gift He has committed to His people tobe communicated by them to th e world."Testimonies, Vol.6, p. 5 5 ."It is only by knowing Christ that we can know God."EllenG . White Comments, SD A Bible Commentary, Vol. 5 , pp. 1145,1146.

"The world's Redeemer was equal with God. His authoritywas as th e authority of God . He declared that He had no existence separate from the Father. The authority by which Hespoke, and wrought miracles, was expressly His own, yet Heassures us that He and the Father are one. . . ."As Legislator, Jesus exercised th e authority of G o d ; Hiscommands and decisions were supported by the Sovereigntyof th e eternal throne. The glory of the Father was revealed inth e Son; Christ made manifest th e character of the Father. Hewas so perfectly connected with God , so completely embracedin His encircling light, that He who had seen th e Son, had seenth e Father. His voice was as th e voice of God."Ellen G .White Comments , SD A Bible Commentary, Vol. 5 , p. 1142.What is m y responsibility in regard to God and His lovingcharacter?

F U R T H E R S T U D Y The Desire of Ages, pages 23-26 .13

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LESSON 2January 5-11GOD IS LIKE THIS-H e CaresAbou t People

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."Luke 19:10.

In this lesson man, lost in sin, is presented under th e symbols of a lost coin,a lost sheep, an d a wayward son. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, wen t in searchof th e lost. For this mission the Father gave the Son. The Son's search speaksto us of the love of both Son an d Father. As a shepherd rejoices in the recoveryof his lost sheep, so G od joys in th e rescue of His creatures.For a misdemeanor a farmer told his son that he had to spend the night inth e haymow and not in his comfortable bed in th e house. The little son wasfr ightened at th e prospect of spending th e night alone in the hay barn. ,But th esentence was i rrevocable.

As th e son was about to retire for th e night, he bravely went out to his sleeping place in the hay while the rest of th e family prepared to retire in th e house.Then the father also went out; he found his son in th e hay an d spent th e nightwith him. Although the sentence was unchanged, the son knew his father lovedhim. So it was with God. Although th e sentence for sin could not be revoked,man learned that G od loved him supremely because G od Himsel f as Emmanuelcame in search of him by coming to live with him.

"As soon as Adam sinned, th e Son of G od presented Himsel f as surety forthe human race."Ellen G . White Comments , SD A Bible Commentary, Vol. 1,p. 1084.LESSON OUTLINE1 . The Lost Coin, Luke 15:82. The Lost Sheep, Luke 15:3, 43. The Good Shepherd, John 10:14, 15, 174. The Lost Son, Luke 15:11-135. Other Sheep, John 10:166. Father Gave Son to Die for Man, John 3:16

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He Cares About People LESSON 2 SundayJanuary 5P3rt 1 "Either what woman having te n pieces of silver, if she

T H E L O S T COIN ' ose one P' ece r doth not light a candle, and sweep the house,and seek diligently till she find it?" Luke 15:8.



The lost coin was not aware of its lost condit ion. As th ecoin was stamped with the image or superscription of th eking, so man, though lost, is stamped with the image of hisKing. See Genes is 1:27 . The coin, though lost, did not ceaseto be metal. So it is with man. "The lost coin represents thosewho are lost in trespasses an d sins, but who have no senseof their condit ion. They are estranged from God , but they knowit not. Their souls are in peril, but they are unconscious andunconcerned. In this parable Christ teaches that even thosewho are indifferent to th e claims of God are the objects of Hispitying love. They are to be sought for that they may bebrought back to God."Christ's Object Lessons, pages 193,194 .

What did the woman do when she found the lost coin?Luke 15:9.H ow does God react when a sinner repents and turns toH im from his sinful way? Luke 15:7.Ellen G . White suggests that th e lost coin represents amember of the Christian family who has not found Jesus ashis personal Saviour. "It was close at hand, yet it could berecovered only by diligent search."Christ's Object Lessons,page 194.Is there a member in m y family who is lost to Christ? If so,what am I doing to bring him to Jesus?"This parable has a lesson to families. In th e householdthere is often great carelessness concerning th e souls of itsmembers . Among their number may be one who is estrangedfrom God; but how little anxiety is felt lest in th e family relationship there be lost one of G od's entrusted gifts."Christ'sObject Lessons, page 194."When you see those who are going down to death, youwill not rest in quiet indifference and ease. The greater theirsin an d th e deeper their misery, th e more earnest and tenderwill be your efforts for their recovery."Christ's Object Lessons, page 197.Christ's Object Lessons, "This M an Receiveth Sinners,"pages 192-197 .

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H e Cares About People L E S S O N 2 MondayJanuary 6Part 2 "And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What m an

T H E L O S T S H E E P * you ' having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them,doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and goafter that which is lost, until he find it?" Luke 15:3, 4.

"By th e lost sheep Christ represents not only th e individualsinner but the one world that has apostatized an d has beenruined by sin. This world is but an atom in the vast dominionsover which G od presides, yet this little fallen worldthe onelost sheepis more precious in His sight than are th e ninetyan d nine that went not astray from th e fold. Christ, the lovedCommander in the heavenly courts, stooped from His highestate, laid aside th e glory that He had with the Father, inorder to save the one lost world. For this He left the sinlessworlds on high, the ninety and nine that loved Him, and cameto this earth, to be 'wounded for our transgressions' and'bruised for our iniquities.' (Isa. 53:5 . ) God gave Himsel f in HisSon that He might have the joy of receiving back the sheepthat was lost."Christ's Object Lessons, pages 190, 191.

When the shepherd finds his sheep, what is his reaction?Luke 15:5-7."As the shepherd loves his sheep, and cannot rest if evenone be missing, so, in an infinitely higher degree r does G odlove every outcast soul. M en may deny th e claim of His love,they may wander from Him, they may choose another master;yet they are God's, an d He longs to recover His own. He says,'A s a shepherd seeketh out his flock in th e day that he isamong his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out M ysheep, and will deliver them out of all places where theyhave been scattered in th e cloudy an d dark day.' Eze. 34:12. "Christ's Object Lessons, page 187.

THINK IT T H R O U G H Christ willingly left all to seek His lost sheep. Do I appreciate His salvation so much that I am willing to follow Hisexample and go anywhere to seek those who are lost toChrist?"Thank G o d , He has presented to our imagination no pictureof a sorrowful shepherd returning wthout th e sheep. The

parable does not speak of failure but of success and joy inthe recovery. Here is th e divine guarantee that not even oneof th e straying sheep of God's fold is overlooked, not one isleft unsuccored. Every one that will submit to be ransomed,Christ will rescue from the pit of corruption and from th ebriers of sin."Christ's Object Lessons, page 188. \ \F O R T H E R S T U D Y Christ's Object Lessons, "This M an Receiveth Sinners,"pages 186-192 .

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H e Cares About People L E S S O N 2 TuesdayJanuary 7Part 3 "I am the good shepherd, and know m y sheep, and am

T H E G O O D known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know Icurpurpn *ne Father: and I lay down m y life for the sheep."

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay downm y life, that I might take it again." John 10:14, 1 5, 1 7.In th e Scriptures Christ is termed th e "great shepherd" (Heb.13:20) and the "chief Shepherd." 1 Peter 5 :4 . He calls Himselfth e "good shepherd." John 10:11. "The Bible reveals Christto us as th e G o o d Shepherd, seeking with unwearied feet forth e lost sheep."Counsels to Teachers, page 261 .Through the symbolism of the shepherd, Jesus is presentedas tender an d careful, as watchful an d solicitous (Luke 15:4 , 5) ,as sacrificial an d unselfish (John 10:14, 15), as preparedto help (Ps. 80:1), and as seeking th e straying. Ps. 119:176.W ho is the door to the sheepfold? John 10:9; cf. 14:6.There is no other way to reconciliation or "at-one-ment"with the Father than through Jesus. Knowledge will not do it;philosophy cannot accompl ish it. Innate human goodness willnot suffice. "In all ages, philosophers and teachers have beenpresenting to th e world theories by which to satisfy th e soul'sneed. Every heathen nation has had i ts great teachers andreligious systems offering some other means of redemptionthan Christ."The Desire of Ages, page 478. But all this hasbeen in vain. There is but one way to th e Father, an d that wayis Jesus. "I am the way," says Jesus. John 14:6 .

THINK IT T H R O U G H With such a Shepherd who was willing to give His ownlife to find m e, to what extent am I willing to follow Himand His direction for m e? Do I frequently insist on findingand going m y own way?"It is the gospel of the grace of God alone that can upliftth e soul. The contemplation of th e love of G od manifested inHis Son will stir th e heart an d arouse the powers of the soul

as nothing else can. Christ came that He might re-create theimage of G od in man; and whoever turns men away from Christis turning them away from the source of true development; heis defrauding them of th e hope and purpose and glory of life.He is a thief and a robber."The Desire of Ages, page 478 .


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H e Cares About People L E S S O N 2 WednesdayJanuary 8Part 4 "And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the

T H E L O S T S O N yun 9er of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto themhis living. And not many days after the younger son gatheredall together, and took his journey into a far country, andthere wasted his substance with riotous living." Luke 15:11-13.Why did not th e father go in search of th e son, as th eowner of th e lost coin an d th e lost sheep had done? Unlike th elost coin, which did not know it was lost, and the lost sheep,which knew it was lost but did not know the way back, th eprodigal both knew he was lost and also knew th e way backto his father's house. He knew what he wanted and went in

pursuit of it. Hence, th e father did not go in search of him,pleading with him to return. A person who willfully practiceswhat he knows is wrong may become more hardened throughpleas to him to change. But the Holy Spirit can soften such aheart an d prevail on such a person to return to the Father.What did the father do for his son upon his return? Luke15:22-24."When he came to himself: An idiom in Semitic languagesas well as in Greek and Latin. In this instance it could be

paraphrased: 'When he realized how foolish he had been. ' "The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. 8, p. 273 ."The love of G od still yearns over th e one who has chosento separate from Him, and He sets in operation influences tobring him back to th e Father's house. . . . Miserable as hewas, the prodigal found hope in th e conviction of his father'slove. I t was that love which was drawing him toward home.So it is th e assurance of God's love that constrains th e sinnerto return to G o d . 'The goodness of G od leadeth thee to repentance.' Rom. 2:4. A golden chain, th e mercy an d compassionof divine love, is passed around every imperi led soul."Christ's Object Lessons, page 202 .THINK IT T H R O U G H W ho only can bring conviction and change to a personwho willfully pursues a course of wrongdoing and sin?

"Whatever the appearance may be , every life centered inself is squandered. Whoever attempts to live apart from G odis wasting his substance. He is squandering th e precious years,squandering the powers of mind and heart an d soul, and working to make himself bankrupt for eternity. The man who separates from G od that he may serve himself, is the slave ofmammon. The mind that G od created for the companionshipof angels has become degraded to the service of that whichis earthly and bestial. This is the end to which self-servingtends."Christ's Object Lessons, pages 200, 201.F U R T H E R S T U D Y Christ's Object Lessons, "Lost and Is Found," pages 201-203.

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He Cares About People LESSON 2 D ThursdayJanuary 9Part 5 "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them

OTHER SHEEP a ' so ' must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and thereshall be one fold, and one shepherd." John 10:16.When Jesus spoke these words, th e "other sheep" referredto the Gent i les. After His death an d resurrection the gospelwent to the Genti les, an d G od's church today is made up largelyof non-Jews. But, despite this, th e verse is true today. Not allpersons who today serve G od with pure motives an d to thebest of their knowledge have found God's truth and His remnant church. Wrote Ellen G . White: "Notwithstanding the spiri tual darkness an d alienation from G od that exist in th echurches which constitute Babylon, th e great body of Christ'strue followers are still to be found in their communion."TheGreat Controversy, page 390.G od measures the commitment of His people qualitativelyrather than quantitatively. He evaluates the diligence with whichwe have improved our opportunities to find His truth, and Heobserves our attitude toward the known portion of His will. DoHis professed followers gladly respond to revealed truth, ordo they rebel against it?"If rational beings really desire the truth, G od will givethem sufficient light to enable them to decide what is ' truth.If they have a heart to obey, they will see sufficient evidenceto walk in th e light. But if they in .heart desire to evade th etruth, he will not work a miracle to gratify their unbelief. Hewill never remove every chance or occasion to doubt."EllenG . White, Review and Herald, Jan. 5 , 1886.

Is it possible for the evil one to separate God's committedfollowers from Him? John 10:28, 29; cf. Rom. 8:35-39."The soul that has given himsel f to Christ is more preciousin His sight than th e whole world. The Saviour would havepassed through the agony of Calvary that one might be savedin His kingdom. He will never abandon one for whom He hasdied. Unless His followers choose to leave Him, He will holdthem fast."The Desire of Ages, page 483.

THINK IT THROUGH What will happen to all these other sheep before Jesusreturns in glory to receive His own?

"Not one is made to suffer the wrath of G od until the truthhas been brought home to his mind and conscience, and hasbeen rejected. . . . Everyone is to have sufficient light to makehis decision intelligently."The Great Controversy, page 605.F U R T H E R S T U D Y The Great Controversy, pages 383, 390.

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e Cares About People LESSON 2 D FridayJanuary 1 0Part G "FGod so loved the world, that he gave his only begot-

F A T H E R G A V E S O N ten ^ on ' *'lat whosoever believeth in him should not perish,T O H I E F O R M AN '> u * nave everl ast ' n9 life." John 3:16.

Some are prone to think that God loves us because Jesusgave His life for us. But G od does not love us because Jesusgave His life for us ; rather th e Father's love for lost man constrained Him to give His Son to die for us in order to redeemus. "As soon as there was sin, there was a Saviour."EllenG . White Comments, SD A Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, p. 1084.To rescue man from the predicament into which he hadfal len through disobedience, G od was willing to empty th estorehouse of heaven an d deplete the resources of th e universe. Anything that was needed God was willing to do toreinstate man, whom He had created- in love, in his intendedposition as ruler of the earth an d a son of God.If but one soul would have accepted salvation, G od wasstill willing to make this overture of love to fallen man.What is the response in heaven when a sinner returns?

Luke 15:7, 1 0.


Zephaniah 3:17 gives an intimate picture of God ' s satisfaction an d rejoicing when a sinner is saved. God is portrayedas singing in satisfied love. Picture a young husband in complete an d happy contentment, singing or humming for sheerjoy as he looks at his wife rocking their baby.How highly do I value a soul, or how much am I willingto do to rescue a soul from sin and eternal death?

"The value of a soul, who can estimate? Would you knowi ts worth, go to Gethsemane, and there watch with Christthrough those hours of anguish, when He sweat as it weregreat drops of blood. Look upon th e Saviour uplifted on th ecross. Hear that despairing cry, 'My God , My God, why hastThou forsaken Me? ' Mark 15:34. Look upon the wounded head,th e pierced side, the marred feet. Remember that Christ riskedall. For our redemption, heaven itself was imperi led. At th efoot of th e cross, remember ing that for one sinner Christ wouldhave laid down His life, you may estimate th e value of a soul."Christ's Object Lessons, page 196.

F U R T H E R S T U D Y The Story of Redemption, pages 4 2 - 4 4 .2 1

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LESSON 3January 12-18"Though your sins be as scarlet, they

shall be as white as snow; though theybe red like crimson, they shall be aswool." Isa. 1:18.

God's gracious promise of forgiveness through th e prophet Isaiah presentsGod 's plan for sinful man. Adam andEve departed from God 's will. Their descendants followed them in transgression. "With intense interest th e unfallenworlds had watched to see Jehovaharise, and sweep away the inhabitantsof the earth. And if G od should do this,Satan was ready to carry out his planfor securing to himself the allegianceof heavenly beings. He had declared-that th e principles of God's governmentmake forgiveness impossible. Had th eworld been destroyed, he would haveclaimed that his accusations wereproved true. . . . But instead of destroying th e world, G od sent His Son to saveit."The Desire of Ages, page 37 .Jesus' sacrifice provides forgivenessfor individual repentant sinners. Histeachings emphasize forgiveness, andHis own personal attitude toward thosewho wronged Him was a forgiving one.Thus He taught and demonstrated thatth e Father forgives people when theyrepent.LESSON OUTLINE1. The Paralytic, Luke 5:18-202. The Roman Soldiers at the Cross,Luke 23:33, 343. The Thief on the Cross, Luke23:39-434. Mary Magdalene, Luke 7:36-505. The Prodigal, Luke 15:21, 226. Forgive Seventy Times Seven,Matt. 18:21,22

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He Readily Forgives L E S S O N 3 Q SundayJanuary 1 2Parti

T H E P A R A L Y T I C"And, behold, men brought in a bed a m an which was

taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in,and to lay him before him. And when they could not findby what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and le t him down throughthe tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. Andwhen he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sinsare forgiven thee." Luke 5:18-20.

Jesus desired to forgive sins; "it was to manifest His powerto forgive sins that th e miracle was performed. . . ."This paralytic had lost all hope of recovery. His diseasewas th e result of a life of sin, and his sufferings were embittered by remorse...."The palsied man was entirely helpless, and, seeing noprospect of aid from an y quarter, he had sunk into despair.Then he heard of th e wonderful works of Jesus. He was toldthat others as sinful an d helpless as he had been healed; evenlepers had been cleansed. And th e friends who reported thesethings encouraged him to believe that he to o might be curedif he could be carried to Jesus. But his hope fell when heremembered how the disease had been brought upon him. Hefeared that th e pure Physician would not tolerate him in Hispresence."The Desire of Ages, page 2 6 7 .

What did the paralytic and his friends possess that enabledJesus to heal him? Mark 2:5; cf. Matt. 13:58; Mark 6:5, 6.THINK IT T H R O U G H What do I most ardently desirephysical benefits or spir

itual healing?


"In words that fell like music on th e sufferer's ear, th eSaviour said, 'Son, be of good cheer; th y sins be forgiventhee.'"The burden of despair rolls from the sick man's soul; thepeace of forgiveness rests upon his spirit, and shines out uponhis countenance. His physical pain is gone, and his wholebeing is transformed. The helpless paralytic is healed! theguilty sinner is pardonedl"In simple faith he accepted th e words of Jesus as th eboon of new life. He urged no further request, but lay in blissfu l si lence, too happy for words. The light of heaven irradiatedhis countenance, an d the people looked with awe upon th escene."The Desire of Ages, page 268.

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H e Readily Forgives L E S S O N 3 ^] MondayJanuary 1 3P a r t 2

T H E R O M A NS O L D I E R S A T

T H E C R O S S


"And when they were come to the place, which is calledCalvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, oneon the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus,Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke23:33,34.

Even in His excruciating suffering with nails piercing Histender f lesh Jesus' thoughts were not centered on self. Hismind went out in solicitude for others. Contrary to all humaninclinations, He asked His Father for mercy upon His executioners."His mind passed from His own suffering to the sin of Hispersecutors, an d th e terrible retribution that would be theirs.No curses were called down upon the soldiers who were handling Him so roughly. No vengeance was invoked upon th epriests and rulers, who were gloating over th e accomplishment of their purpose. Christ pitied them in their ignoranceand guilt. He breathed only a plea for their forgiveness,'forthey know not what they do.' "The Desire of Ages, page 74 4 .

According to what standard does God hold men responsible or apportion accountability for light? Luke 12:47, 48.

"Had they known that they were putting to torture One w hohad come to save the sinful race from eternal ruin, they wouldhave been seized with remorse and horror. But their ignorancedid not remove their guilt; fo r it was their privilege to knowand accept Jesus as their Saviour. Some of them would yetsee their sin, and repent, and be converted. Some by theirimpenitence would make it an impossibility for th e prayer ofChrist to be answered fo r them."The Desire of Ages, pages7 4 4 , 7 4 5 ."God will not condemn an y at the judgment because theyhonestly bel ieved a lie, or conscientiously cherished error; butit will be because they neglected th e opportunities of makingthemselves acquainted with truth."Testimonies to Ministers,page 437.

Have you ever cherished a fleeting desire not to learnany more truth lest you be held responsible for added knowledge? What should be my attitude toward learning truth?

"That prayer of Christ for His enemies embraced th e world.It took in every s inner that had l ived or should live, from thebeginning of th e world to the end of t ime. Upon all rests theguilt of crucifying th e Son of G o d . To all, forgiveness is freelyoffered. 'Whosoever will' may have peace with God , and in herit eternal life."The Desire of Ages, page 7 4 5 .F U R T H E R S T U D Y The Desire of Ages, pages 7 4 4 , 7 4 5 .

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He Readily Forgives LESSON 3 ^] TuesdayJanuary 1 4P a r t s

T H E T H I E F O NT H E C R O S S



Read Luke 23:39-43.Note the punctuation of Luke 23:43 in The Desire of Ages,page 750 : "Verily I say unto thee tqday, Thou shall be withM e in paradise." Without a doubt this is th e correct punctuation of the verse.The original Bible manuscripts contained no punctuation.Punctuation was supplied later. Naturally, it was supplied inaccordance with a copyist's philosophy of life. Inasmuch asthe common belief was that the soul went to heaven immediately upon death, it was punctuated so as to give that meaning.

But from internal gospel evidence in John 20:17 we know thatJesus did not go to paradise on Friday. He had not ye t as cended to His Father when He appeared to Mary Sunday morning.In the assuring answer of Jesus to th e thief's request,"Verily I say unto thee today, Thou shall be with Me in paradise," Ihere is implicil an d full forgiveness. In a momenl IheIhief's sinful pasl was blolted oul. He was accounted righteous or justified by God . As a babe just born inlo the kingdomof God , he was perfect in God 's sight. His allilude towardGod and His will had been changed from rebellion fo willingobedience."For long hours of agony, revil ing an d mockery have fallenupon fh e ears of Jesus. As He hangs upon th e cross, therefloats up to Him still the sound of jeers and curses. . . . Whilethe leading Jews deny Him, and even th e disciples doubt Hisdivinity, th e poor thief, upon the brink of eternity, calls JesusLord. Many were ready to call Him Lord when He wroughtmiracles, an d after He had risen from the grave; but noneacknowledged Him as He hung dying upon th e cross saveth e penitent thief who was saved at th e eleventh hour."TheDesire of Ages, pages 750, 751.

Of what divine sentiment toward man is Jesus' answerto the thief on the cross a reminder? John 6:37.How may I experience the full and free deliverance fromsin that the thief on the cross experienced?"With amazement th e angels beheld the infinite love of

Jesus, who, suffering th e most intense agony of mind andbody, thought only of others, an d encouraged th e penitent soulto believe. In His 'humiliation He as a prophet had addressedth e daughters of Jerusalem; as priest and advocate He hadpleaded with the Father to forgive His .murderers; as a lovingSaviour He had forgiven th e sins of the peni tent thief."TheDesire of Ages, page 7 5 2 .The Desire of Ages, pages 7 5 0, 7 5 1 .

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He Readily Forgives LESSON 3 WednesdayJanuary 1 5P a r t 4

M A R Y M A G D A L E N E



"And he [Jesus] turned to the woman, and said unto Simon,Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thougavest m e no water for my feet: but she hath washed myfeet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head."Luke 7:44.

Read also Luke 7:36-50.The woman at Simon's feast was Mary of Bethany, th e sisterof Lazarus and Martha. See The Desire of Ages, pages 558 ,5 5 9 . Mary had been a fallen woman, an d some still viewed herin that way. Simon was ashamed an d embarrassed to haveher appear at his feast. "Simon questioned whether th e Saviour were a prophet. Because Christ al lowed this woman toapproach Him, because He did not indignantly spurn her as onewhose sins were too great to be forgiven, because He did notshow that He realized she had fallen, Simon was tempted tothink that He was not a prophet. Jesus knows nothing of thiswoman who is so free in her demonstrations, he thought, orHe would not allow her to touch Him."The Desire of Ages,page 5 6 6 .What did Jesus say about the woman's sins? Luke 7:47, 48.All Mary's scarlet sins G od had freely forgiven becauseshe had responded to th e Spirit's pleadings to her heart."Mary knew not the full significance of her deed of love.She could not answer her accusers. She could not explainwhy she had chosen that occasion for anointing Jesus. TheHoly Spirit had planned for her, and she had obeyed Hispromptings. Inspiration stoops to give no reason. An unseenpresence, it speaks to mind and soul, and moves the heart toaction. It is its own justification."The Desire of Ages, page560.How frequently do I follow the Spirifs promptings anddo the good deeds He urges me to perform?"When to human eyes her case appeared hopeless, Christsaw in Mary capabilities for good. He saw the better traits ofher character. The plan of redempt ion has invested humanitywith great possibilities, and in Mary these possibilities wereto be realized. Through His grace she became a partaker o fth e divine nature. The one w ho had fallen, and whose mindhad been a habitation of demons, was brought very near to

th e Saviour in fellowship and ministry. It was Mary w ho sat atHis feet and learned of Him. I t was Mary who poured uponHis head th e precious anointing oi l , and bathed His feet withher tears. Mary stood beside the cross, and followed Him toth e sepulcher. Mary was first at th e tomb after His resurrect ion. It was Mary who first proclaimed a risen Saviour."TheDesire of Ages, page 568.T he Desire of Ages, pages 5 6 6 - 5 6 8 .

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He Readily Forgives LESSON 3 ThursdayJanuary 1 6Part 5 "And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against

THE PRODIGAL heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to becalled thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bringforth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on hishand, and shoes on his feet." Luke 15:21, 22.

The prodigal was repentant. He admitted his sins an d hisunworthiness to be called a son of his father. On th e basisof this th e father, representing G o d , forgave him fully andfreely. "Whom Christ pardons, He first makes penitent."Thoughts From th e Mount of Blessing, page 7 . With this th efather kissed him tenderly an d then gave back to him all th etokens of re instatement as a son. His rags were removed andhe was clothed in "the best robe." The ring was a symbolthat the son was still a son. "Shoes were th e token o f sonship,for only slaves went barefoot."The Interpreter's Bible, Vol.8, pp. 276 , 277 .Only by th e father's gift was he clothed in the way characteristic of his family. These gifts replaced th e evidences ofth e son's impover ishment.To what was the prodigal's return compared by the father?Luke 15:24; cf. John 5:24.In th e sight of G od a man is really dead only when he islost, that is, dead to th e love of G o d . The prodigal had beendead to th e father until he came to himself. He comes to lifewhen he responds anew to his father's love. So we as sinnersbecame alive when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour. Theverse parallels th e thought of verses 7 and 10 that there is joyin heaven when a sinner once again becomes al ive to th ewill of God.

THINK IT THROUGH What is my attitude toward those who have deliberatelystrayed away from God but later returned? What shouldit be?

"Your heavenly Father will take from you the garmentsdefi led by sin. In th e beautiful parabolic prophecy of Zecha-riah, the high priest Joshua, standing clothed in filthy garmentsbefore the angel of the Lord, represents th e sinner. And theword is spoken by the Lord, 'Take away the filthy garmentsfrom him. And unto him He said, Behold, I have caused thineiniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with changeof raiment. ...So they set a fair miter upon his head, andclothed him with garments.' Zech. 3:4, 5. Even so G od willclothe you with 'the garments of salvation,' and cover youwith 'the robe of righteousness. ' Isa. 61:10. Though ye havelien among the pots, yet. shall ye be as th e wings of a dovecovered with silver, an d her feathers with yellow gold. ' Ps.68:13."Christ's Object Lessons, page 206.

F U R T H E R S T U D Y Christ's Object Lessons, "Lost and Is Found," pages 204-206.28

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He Readily Forgives L E S S O N 3 Q FridayJanuary 1 7PartB

F O R G I V E S E V E N T Y"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall

m V brother sin against m e, and I forgive him? till seventimes? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee. U ntil sevensevenfy times seven- Maft 18:2i f 22.

"The rabbis said that three pardons were enough. Peterproposed magnanimity, and so suggested seven." The Inter-preter's Bible, Vol. 7 , p. 4 7 5 . Jesus here corrected Peter."Seventy t imes seven" is four hundred and ninety. By thisJesus meant that there must be no limit to forgiveness. Aslong as an offender comes back, G od gladly and willinglyforgives and welcomes him back. G od had demonstrated thisin His relation to Israel in th e Old Testament. As a case inpoint, the book of Judges points out repeated departures ofIsrael from G o d , but every t ime they repented G od gladlyforgave. See Judges 3:7-9, 12-15 ; 4:1-4; 6:1-8.Jesus thus reiterated His Father's eagerness to forgive therepentant sinner irrespective of his past. God is not primarilyconcerned with th e past. All th e failures an d th e shortcomingsof th e past are blotted out through Jesus' shed blood. But Heis intensely concerned with my present responsemy "now-reaction," or m y attitude toward Him and His plan.

What will be the result of returning to the Lord? Isa. 55:7;Hosea 1-3; 2 Sam. 12:13.


G o m e r is a symbol of God's people, while Hosea representsG o d . G od found every one of us initially, as Hosea foundGo me r , in spiritual adultery or sin. Then as G o m e r we alsohave departed from God , although we espoused Him as ourspiritual husband. Still G od waits for our change of heart, readyto take us back, just as Hosea took G o m e r back as his wifeand th e mother of his children.Am I always willing to forgive those who have wrongedm e and also forget their wrongdoing? Why?"The dictionary says that forgiveness means 'to give up

resentment or claim to requital.' But ; 's this true pardon? Toforgive but not forget usually means not to forgive. Only toforgo resentment is a poor half forgiveness. Luke 17:5 tells usthat when th e disciples heard this requirement o f Jesus . . .they exclaimed, ' Increase our faith'!"The Interpreter's Bible,Vol. 7 , p. 4 7 5 . M ay G od also increase our faith!F U R T H E R S T U D Y Prophets and Kings, pages 334, 668.

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LESSON 4January 19-25GOD IS LIKE THIS-H e Hates Sin

"And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it werebetter for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he weredrowned in the depth of the sea." Matt. 18:5, 6.

Sin is disloyalty to God . When we sin, we give our allegiance to someoneelse, or to self, rather than to God . It began in heaven. Lucifer, th e light bearerand anointed cherub at th e throne of God, wthdrew his loyalty from God . Healso led other angels to follow him and induced them to transfer their loyaltyfrom G od to him and to regard him as supreme rather than G o d .

The principle of self ishness underlying all sin is contrary to th e characterof God, and He has opposed it with all of His resources. Sin divided th e universe. Rather than being a unit, or a universe, through sin it became basicallya dualism with two forces in opposit ion to each other. On one side were G odand those loyal to Him, and on th e other side were Satan and his fol lowers.

After th e creation of Adam an d Eve Satan transplanted sin to this earth.Adam and Eve became sinners by obeying Satan rather than G o d . Jesus cameto this earth an d dem onstrated G od's attitude toward sin. "The gift of Christreveals the Father's heart. I t testifies that th e thoughts of G od toward us are'thoughts of peace, and not of evil.' Jer. 29 :11. I t declares that while God'shatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for th e sinner is stronger thandeath. Having undertaken our redemption, He will spare nothing, however dear,which is necessary to th e complet ion of His work. No truth essential to oursalvation is wthheld, no miracle of mercy is neglected, no divine agency is leftunemployed."The Desire of Ages, page 5 7 .

LESSON OUTLINE1 . Jesus Condemned Sin, Rom. 8:3

2. Jesus Denounced Sin, Matt. 23:27, 283. Sin Separates From God, Matt. 27:46

4. Jesus Preferred Death to Sin, Matt. 4:2-45. Jesus Came to D o Away With Sin, John 1:29

6. Go, and Sin No More, John 8:1130

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He Hates Sin LESSON 4 Q] SundayJanuary 1Part 1JESUS

m N D F M N F D SIN

THINK IT THROUGH


"For what the law could not do, in that it was weaktnrou9n * ne fesh, God sending his own Son in the l ikeness s ' n ^ u ' flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh."Rom. 8:3.

One of the great accompl ishments of the life an d death ofJesus was th e refutation of th e idea that sin is a valid andinevitable way of life for human beings. The intensity of thiscondemnation can be measured by the cross. Jesus consideredthe condemnation of sin of greater import than His personalexistence."Not until the death of Christ was th e character of Satanclearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. The arch-apostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holybeings had not understood his principles. They had not clearlyseen the nature of his rebellion."The Desire of Ages, page758 ."The cross of Calvary, while it declares the law immutable,proclaims to the universe that the wages of sin is death. Inthe Saviour's expiring cry, 'It is finished,' the death knel l ofSatan was rung. The great controversy which had been solong in progress was then decided, and th e final eradicationof evil was made certain. The Son of God passed through theportals of the tomb, that ' through death He might destroy himthat had the power of death, that is , the devil.' Hebrews 2 :14 . . . ."The whole universe will have become witnesses to th enature and results of sin. And its utter extermination, whichin the beginning would have brought fear to angels and dishonor to God, will now vindicate His love and establish Hishonor before the universe of beings who delight to do Hiswill, and in whose heart is His law. Never will evil again bemanifest."The Great Controversy, pages 503, 504 .

How does my estimate of sin compare with Christ's estimate of it?

"The death of the spotless Son of G od testif ies that 'thewages of sin is death,' that every violation of God 's law mustreceive its just retribution. Christ the sinless became sin forman. He bore the guilt of transgression, and the hiding of HisFather's face, until His heart was broken and His life crushedout. All this sacrifice was made that sinners might be redeemed.In no other way could man be freed from the penalty of sin.And every soul that refuses to become a partaker of the atonement provided at such a cost must bear in his own person th eguilt and punishment o f transgression."The Great Controversy, page 540.The Great C ontroversy, pages 501-504.

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e Hates Sin L E S S O N 4 G MondayJanuary 20P a r t 2J E S U S

D E N O U N C E D S I N



"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for yeare like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, andof all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." Matt. 23:27, 28.

Jesus unsparingly denounced sin that was carried on undera cloak of piety. He always opposed sin, but He did not alwaysdenounce i t in th e way that He did in Matthew 2 3."He [Jesus] hated but one thing in the world, and that wassin. He could not witness a wrong act wthout pain which itwas impossible to disguise. Between the formalists, whosesanctity of appearance concealed th e love of sin, an d a character in which zeal for God's glory was always paramount, th econtrast was unmistakable. Because the life of Jesus condemned evi l , He was opposed, both at home and abroad. Hisunself ishness an d integrity were commented on with a sneer.His forbearance and kindness were termed cowardice."TheDesire of Ages, page 88.In writing of the woes that Jesus pronounced on th e Pharisees, Ellen G . White wrote:"With hand uplifted to heaven, and a divine light enshroudin g His person, Christ spoke as a judge to those before Him.His voice, that had so often been heard in gentleness an dentreaty, was now heard in rebuke and condemnation. Thel isteners shuddered. Never was th e impression made by Hiswords an d His look to be effaced."Christ's indignation was directed against the hypocrisy,th e gross sins, by which m en were destroying their own souls,deceiving th e people and dishonor ing God . Iri th e speciousdeceptive reasoning of the priests and rulers He discernedth e working of satanic agencies. Keen and searching had beenHis denunciation of sin; but He spoke no words of retaliation.He had a holy wrath against the prince of darkness; but Hemanifested no irritated temper."The Desire of Ages, page619 .

What is the difference between righteous indignation andordinary indignation?"Divine pity marked th e countenance of th e Son of G od as

He cast one lingering look upon th e temple an d then upon Hishearers. In a voice choked by deep anguish of heart and bittertears He exclaimed, . . . [Matt. 23:37 quoted]. This is th eseparation struggle. In th e lamentation of Christ th e very hearto f G od is pouring itself forth. It is th e mysterious farewell ofth e long-suffering love of the Deity."The Desire of Ages,page 620.The Desire of Ages, pages 617 -619 .

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He Hates Sin LESSON 4 TuesdayJanuary 21Part 3 "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,

SIN SEPARATES sa ving, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say. My God,F R O M G O D my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Matt. 27:46.

Jesus assumed man's sins. He carried the awesome burdenof sin. He knew that sin could not exist in the presence of HisFather, and it appeared to Him that the assumed burden ofmankind's sins would forever separate Him from His Father."The Saviour could not see through th e portals of the tomb.Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the gravea conqueror, or tell Him of the Father's acceptance of thesacrif ice. He feared that sin was so offensive to G od that Theirseparation was to be eternal. Christ felt the anguish which thesinner will feel when mercy shal l no longer plead for the guiltyrace. It was the sense of sin, bringing th e Father's wrath uponHim as man's substitute, that made th e cup He drank so bitter, and broke the heart of the Son of God."The Desire oAges, page 753 .Note the similarity between God's pronouncement of judg

ment on Judah by Isaiah and Jesus' experience at the cross.Isa. 59:2. Note the difference.


Sin is destroyed by the presence of G o d . This fact is pointedout in the Scriptures. See Heb. 12:29. Anything and everythingcontaminated with sin becomes combustible in the presenceof God . The prophet Isaiah repeatedly points out that sin willbe destroyed by fire. See Isa. 33:11, 12 ; 30:33; 1:28-31; 9:18."If you cling to self, refusing to yield your will to God, youare choosing death. To sin, wherever found, G od is a consumin g fire. If you choose sin, an d refuse to separate from it, th epresence of Go d , which consumes sin, must consume you."Thoughts From th e Mount of Blessing, page 62 .

Do I possess a realistic appraisal of the dire effects ofsin? Do I realize that sin will inevitably separate me fromGod for eternity unless I am freed from it?

"The G od of heaven is 'of purer eyes than to behold evil,'and cannot 'look on iniquity.' Habakkuk 1:13. I t is not becauseHe is unwlling to forgive that He turns from the transgressor;it is because the sinner refuses to make us e of the abundantprovisions of grace, that G od is unable to deliver from sin."Prophets and Kings, page 323.F U R T H E R S T U D Y

34The Desire ot Ages, page 7 5 3 .

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e Hates Sin L E S S O N 4 WednesdayJanuary 22P a r t 4

J E S U S P R E F E R R E DD E A T H T O S I N

"And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, hewas afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came tohim, he said. If thou be the Son of God, command that thesestones be made bread. B ut he answered and said. It is written. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every wordthat proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matt. 4:2-4.

Jesus had fasted fo r nearly s ix weeks. He "was faint fromhunger, He was craving for food, when Satan came suddenlyupon Him. Pointing to th e stones which strewed th e desert, andwhich had th e appearance of loaves, th e tempter said, 'If Thoube th e Son of God , command that these stones be made-bread.' "The Desire of Ages, page 118.Jesus had nearly reached the limit of human endurance. Tocontinue fasting would have been fatal. Yet under these circumstances He rejected Satan's suggestion. "In man's behalf,Christ conquered by enduring th e severest test. For "our sakeHe exercised a self-control stronger than hunger or death."The Desire of Ages, page 117.Satan confronted Jesus with tw o further temptations, butJesus resisted them also an d finally bade Satan flee.,"After th e fo e had departed, Jesus fell exhausted to th eearth, with th e pallor of death upon His face. The angels ofheaven had watched th e conflict, beholding their loved Commander as He passed through inexpressible suffering to makea way of escape for us. He had endured th e test, greater thanwe shall ever be called to endure. The angels now ministeredto the Son of G od as He lay like one dying. He was strengthened with food, comforted with th e message of His Father'slove and the assurance that all heaven tr iumphed in His victory. Warming to life again, His great heart goes out in sympathy fo r man, an d He goes forth to complete the work Hehas begun; to rest not until the foe is vanquished, and ourfallen race redeemed "The Desire of Ages, page 131.

In His preference o f death instead of sin Jesus revealedhow th e heavenly Father views sin. Nothing in th e world canhappen to a human being that is as serious as the commissionof sin.THINK IT THROUGH "Of all the lessons to be learned from our Lord's first greattemptation none is more important than that bearing upon

the control of the appetites and passions.""The Desire ofAges," page 122.

F U R T H E R S T U D Y The Desire of Ages, pages 129-131.35

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He Hates Sin LES SON 4 ThursdayJanuary 23"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and

JESUS CAME TO D O sa '*"f Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sinA W A Y W I T H S I N

of the world." John 1:29.

Jesus came to this earth to separate man from sin. He knewthat lest man be separated from it, he will perish in it. Asinner, not cleansed from sin and covered with the r ighteousness of Christ, will perish in the presence of Go d . "The planof redempt ion contemplates our complete recovery from th epower of Satan. Christ always separates the contrite soul fromsin. He came to destroy the works of the devil, and He hasmade provision that the Holy Spirit shall be imparted to everyrepentant soul, to keep him from sinning."The Desire oAges, page 311.

Which is the last enemy that Jesus will destroy? 1 Cor.15:26.

Death is caused by separation from Go d , since there is nosource of l ife apart from Go d . Jesus will be able to abolishdeath only by teaching, persuading, and empowering intelligent beings to separate from sin. Sin will be eliminated fromthe universe by permitt ing those who do not choose to let Jesusrule them, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, to reapthe full result of separation from Goddeath . For "the sting ofdeath is sin." 1 Cor. 15: 56.

What did the Lord, under the symbol of wisdom in theOld Testament, say that those actually do who hate Him?Prov. 8:36.


"By a life of rebell ion, Satan and all who unite with himplace themselves so out of harmony with G od that His verypresence is to them a consuming fire. The glory of Him whois love will destroy them."The Desire of Ages, page 7 64 .What is my personal attitude toward God's will as expressed in the Bible and H is inspired writings?

"However great the pressure brought to bear upon th e soul,transgression is our own act."Patriarchs and Prophets, page421 .

F U R T H E R S T U D Y36

The Desire of Ages, pages 763 , 764 .

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He Hates Sin LES SON 4 D FridayJanuary 24Part 6 What is evident from the last part of the admonition of

G O AND SIN Jesus to the woman taken in adultery?NO MORE "And Jesus said unto her. Neither do I condemn thee: go,

and sin no more." John 8:11.. It is God 's plan that those who have accepted Jesus andbeen born again cease from sinning. It is His hope and planthat we choose to be wholly His."The tempter's agency is not to be accounted an excusefor one wrong act. Satan is jubilant when -he hears th e professed followers of Christ making excuses fo r their deformity

of character. It is these excuses that lead to sin. There is noexcuse for sinning. A holy temper, a-Christlike life, is accessible to every repenting, bel ieving child of God."The Desireof Ages, page 311.For what purpose did Jesus come to this earth? Matt. 1:21."Do you believe that Christ, as your substitute, pays th edebt of your transgression? Not, however, that you m ay continue in sin, but that you may be saved from your sins; thatyou, through the merits of his r ighteousness, may be re-instatedto th e favor of Go d . Do you know that a holy an d just G od willaccept your efforts to keep his law, through the merits of hisown beloved Son who died for your rebell ion an d sin?"EllenG . White, Review and Herald, July 24, 1888.In teaching H is disciples and the multitudes, what quality

did Jesus repeatedly mention as necessary for Christian living? John 11:15; Mark 9:23; Matt. 8:13; Mark 11:22; Luke7:50.

"Faith must express on our part supreme preference, perfect reliance, entire consecration. Our will must be whollyyielded to th e divine will, our feel ings, desires, interests, andhonor identified with th e prosperity of Christ's kingdom andth e honor of His cause, we constantly receiving grace fromHim, and Christ accepting gratitude from us."Testimonies,Vol. 5, p. 229 .T H I N K I T T H R O U G H Do I really expect to be an overcomer of my sins? How?

"If it were not possible fo r human beings under th e Abra-hamic covenant to keep the commandments of God , every soulof us is lost. The Abrahamic covenant is th e covenant of grace.'By grace ye are saved.' . . . Disobedient children? No, obedient to all His commandments. "El len G . White Comments,SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, p. 1092.

F U R T H E R S T U D Y . Thoughts From th e Mount of Blessing, "The Beatitudes,"pages 24 -27 .37

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ERIC KREYE

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LESSON 5January 26-February 1GOD IS LIKE THIS-He HearsPeople's Pleas

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shalle opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seekethindeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matt. 7:7, 8.

When Jesus was on earth, He responded to th e pleas of those who soughtHis help. There is no instance recorded in which He turned someone away.This attitude to people was a reflection of the way the Father treats those whomake sincere requests of Him.

Every sincere request reaches th e ear an d heart of G o d . Though our G odis th e Ruler of an infinite universe, He is still "big enough" to be able to listento th e smallest plea of the most insignificant of His earth-born children.

"Jesus sees His true church on th e earth, whose greatest ambition is tocooperate with Him in th e grand work of saving souls. He hears their prayers,presented in contrition an d power, and Omnipotence cannot resist their pleafor the salvation of any tried, tempted member of Christ's body."Testimoniesto Ministers, page 19 .

"Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears beforeG o d . You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers thehairs of your head is not indifferent to th e wants of His children. . . . Take toHim everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is to o great for Him to bear,fo r He holds up worlds, He rules over al l th e affairs of the universe. Nothingthat in any way concerns our peace is to o small for Him to notice. . . . Therelations between G od and each soul are as distinct an d full as though therewere not another soul upon th e earth to share His watchcare, not another soulfo r whom He gave His beloved Son."Steps to Christ, page 100.LESSON OUTLINE1. The Centurion, Matt. 8:5-7 4. The Importunate Widow, Luke 18:2-52. The Leper's Plea, Luke 5:12 5. Peter's Plea for Help, Matt. 14:29, 303. The Syrophoenician Woman, 6. Father Himself Loves U s,Matt. 15:22 John 16:26,27 ,.

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He Hears Peoples Pleas L E S S O N 5 Q SundayJanuary 26PSft 1 "And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there

THE CENTURION came unto h'm a centurion, beseeching him, and saying,Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievouslytormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and healhim." Matt. 8:5-7.

To th e centurion's expressed conf idence that Jesus couldheal, the response of Jesus was instant. Thus, His reply, "I willcome and heal him."The centurion's faith was so strong that he did not eventhink it was necessary for th e Master to come to his house andsee his servant. He thought of Jesus as a man in authority whocould heal by His word of command."He [Jesus] marveled at the faith of th e centurion who cameto Him. The centurion did not question th e Saviour's power.He did not even ask Him to come in person to perform themiracle. 'Speak the word only, ' he said, 'and my servant shallbe healed.'..."He bel ieved that Jesus could heal him. He had not seenth e Saviour, but th e reports he heard had inspired him withfaith."The Desire of Ages, page 315.

How was the centurion's implicit faith in Jesus' powerand willingness rewarded? Matt. 8:13.Who was correctthe centurion who said he was un

worthy, or the Jewish elders who said the centurion wasworthy of Jesus' help because of the good he had done?Matt. 8:8; Luke 7:4.

The Jews fallaciously thought that a man through his goodness could merit th e favor of God . They failed to realize that"all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" ( Isa. 64:6) and thatman merits nothing except death for his sins. It is not his goodness that commends man to God , but his desperate need.

THINK IT THROUGH Is our faith in Jesus sufficiently strong so that we can takeHim at H is word before seeing the deed?

"The Jewish elders who recommended th e centurion toChrist had shown how far they were from possessing th e spiritof the gospel. They did not recognize that our great need isour only claim on God's mercy. In their self-r ighteousness theycommended th e centurion because of th e favor he had shownto 'our nation.' But the centurion said of himself, 'I am notworthy. ' His heart had been touched by th e grace of Christ.He saw his own unworthiness; yet he feared not to ask help.He trusted not to his own goodness; his argument was his greatneed."The Desire of Ages, pages 316, 317.

F U R T H E R S T U D Y The Desire of Ages, pages 315-317.40

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e Hears People's Pleas LES SON 5 G MondayJanuary 27Part 2 "And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, be-

THE LEPER'S PLEA hd a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face,and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst makeme clean." Luke 5:12.

The leper entertained no doubts about Jesus' ability orpower to cure him of his dreadful disease, but he wonderedwhether th e Master would be willing to stoop down to hiswretchedness and heal him. As a leper he was a human outcast an d was shunned for fear of lethal contamination. The Jewscounted a leper as good as dead along with the blind, th epoor, and the childless. Hence, he was afraid to approach th eMaster with his plea fo r healing. Nevertheless, he musteredhis courage and spoke to Jesus. But he did not possess sufficient boldness to ask for healing. He left that up to th e Masteras he said, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."There are certain requests we m ay present to G od with fullassurance of fulfillment. One is a request fo r forgiveness ofsin. See 1 John 1:9.

As Jesus put forth H is hand and touched the leper, whatchange took place in him? Luke 5:13.

"Immediately a change passed over the leper. His fleshbecame healthy, th e nerves sensit ive, th e muscles firm. Therough, scaly surface peculiar to leprosy disappeared, and asoft glow, like that upon th e skin of a healthy child, took itsplace."The Desire of Ages, page 263.THINK IT THROUGH In what ways am I like the leper? Am I uncertain of Jesus'

willingness to heal me of the leprosy of sin? If so, place indelibly on memory's wall Hebrews 7:25.

"In the region of Christ's ministry, there were many of thesesufferers [lepers], and the news of His work reached them,kindling a gleam of hope. But since th e days of Elisha theprophet, such a thing had never been known as the cleansingof one upon whom this disease had fastened. They dared notexpect Jesus to do fo r them what He had never done for anyman. There was one, however, in whose heart faith began tospring up."The Desire of Ages, pages 262, 263.

F U R T H E R S T U D Y The Desire of Ages, pages 263, 264 .41

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He Hears People's Pleas L E S S O N 5 ^ T u esdayJanuary 28Part 3 "And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same

THE SYROPHOENI- eoasts' anc ' cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, Or>ixu uinuiiu Lord, tnou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexedU A N W U M A N with a devil." Matt. 15:22.

"This woman had heard of th e prophet, who, it was reported,healed all manner of diseases. As she heard of His power, hopesprang up in her heart. Inspired by a mother's love, she determined to present her daughter's case to Him. It was her resolute purpose to bring her affliction to Jesus. He must heal herchild. She had sought help from the heathen gods, but hadobtained no relief. And at t imes she was tempted to think,What can this Jewish teacher do for me? But the word hadcome, He heals all manner of diseases, whether those whocome to Him for help are rich or poor. She determined not tolose her only hope."The Desire of Ages, page 400.Even though a Canaanite, or foreign heathen, she acceptedan d bel ieved th e reports that had reached her about the benevolent Jewish healer. Thus she resolutely approached Jesusfor help.What was the attitude of the disciples toward her request? Matt. 15:23. What was Jesus' attitude? Verse 28.The disciples were typical of their t imes. They felt no in clination to listen to this woman and help her even thoughshe was in sore need of help. She, as a heathen with no hopeof salvation, was to them of less value than an animal. Theywanted their Master to dismiss her, since she made an ado oftheir presence in a strange place.

THINK IT THROUGH In what ways do I, as the disciples, segregate peopleaccording to their class or background rather than look uponthem as unique individuals with personal needs which Jesusstands ever ready to meet?

"Christ knew this woman's'Situation. He knew that she waslonging to see Him, and He placed Himself in her path. By ministering to her sorrow, He could give a l iving representation ofthe lesson He designed to teach. For this He had brought Hisdisciples into this region. He desired them to see th e ignoranceexisting in cities an d vil lages close to the land of Israel. Thepeople who had been given every opportunity to understandth e truth were without a knowledge of th e needs of thosearound them. No effort was made to help souls in darkness.The partition wall which Jewish pride had erected, shut eventh e disciples from sympathy with th e heathen world. But thesebarriers were to be broken down."The Desire of Ages, page400.

F U R T H E R S T U D Y The Desire of Ages, pages 399-402 .42

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He Hears Peoples Pleas LES SON 5 WednesdayJanuary 29P a r t 4

I M P O R T U N A T EW I D O W

"There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neitherregarded man: and there was a widow in that city; and shecame unto him, saying. Avenge me of mine adversary. Andhe would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself. Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet becausethis widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me." Luke 18:2-5.

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