Jesus the Christ. James Edward Talmage

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СКАЧАТЬ social class, for from the community in general they were practically ostracized. All who associated with them were made to share in the popular odium, and "publicans and sinners" became a common designation for the degraded caste. To Matthew's feast many of his friends and some of his fellow officials were invited, so that the gathering was largely made up of these despized "publicans and sinners." And to such an assemblage went Jesus with His disciples.

      The scribes and Pharisees could not let pass such an opportunity for faultfinding and caustic criticism. They hesitated to address themselves directly to Jesus, but of the disciples they asked in disdain: "Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?" The Master heard, and replied with edifying incisiveness mingled with splendid irony. Citing one of the common aphorisms of the day, He said: "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick." To this He added: "I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." The hypercritical Pharisees were left to make their own application of the rejoinder, which some may have understood to mean that their self-righteousness was arraigned and their claims to superiority derided. Aside from the veiled sarcasm in the Master's words, they ought to have perceived the wisdom enshrined in His answer and to have profited thereby. Is not the physician's place among the afflicted ones? Would he be justified in keeping aloof from the sick and the suffering? His profession is that of combating disease, preventing when possible, curing when necessary, to the full extent of his ability. If the festive assembly at Matthew's house really did comprize a number of sinners, was not the occasion one of rare opportunity for the ministrations of the Physician of Souls? The righteous need no call to repentance; but are the sinners to be left in sin, because those who profess to be spiritual teachers will not condescend to extend a helping hand?

      THE OLD AND THE NEW

      Shortly after the entertainment provided by Matthew, the Pharisees were ready with another criticism, and in this they were associated with some of the Baptist's adherents. John was in prison; but many of those who had been drawn to his baptism, and had professed discipleship to him, still clung to his teachings, and failed to see that the Greater One of whom he had testified was then ministering amongst them. The Baptist had been a scrupulous observer of the law; his strict asceticism vied with the rigor of Pharisaic profession. His non-progressive disciples, now left without a leader, naturally fell in with the Pharisees. Some of John's disciples came to Jesus, and questioned Him concerning His seeming indifference in the matter of fasting. They propounded a plain question: "Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?"422 To the friends of the now imprisoned Baptist our Lord's reply must have brought memories of their beloved leader's words, when he had compared himself to the Bridegroom's friend, and had plainly told them who was the real Bridegroom.423

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      1

      As to the year of Christ's birth, see chapter 8.

      2

      See chapter 6.

      3

      The Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price constitute the standard works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These will be cited alike as Scriptures in the following pages, for such they are.

      4

      Rev. 12:7; see also verses 8 and 9.

      5

      Rev. 12:4; see also Doc. and Cov. 29:36-38; and 76:25-27.

1

As to the year of Christ's birth, see chapter 8.

2

See chapter 6.

3

The Holy Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price constitute the standard works of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These will be cited alike as Scriptures in the following pages, for such they are.

4

Rev. 12:7; see also verses 8 and 9.

5

Rev. 12:4; see also Doc. and Cov. 29:36-38; and 76:25-27.

6

Jude 6.

7

P. of G.P., Abraham 3:26.

8

Rev. 12:9.

9

Isa. 14:12-15; compare Doc. and Cov. 29:36-38; and 76:23-27.

10

P. of G.P., Moses 4:1-4; see also Abraham 3:27, 28.

11

For a further treatment of the preexistence of spirits see the author's "Articles of Faith" x:21-30.

12

Note 1, end of chapter.

13

Job 38:7.

14

Note 2, end of chapter.

15

Psalm 25:14; Amos 3:7.

16

John 1:1-3, 14; see also 1 John 1:1; 5: 7; Rev. 19:13; compare Doc. and Cov. 93:1-17, 21.

17

P. of C.P., Moses 1:32, 33; see also 2:5.

18

1 John 1:1-3; 2:13, 14; 4:9; Rev. 3:14.

19

2 Tim. 1:9, 10; Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:4; 3:9, 11; Titus 1:2. See especially Rom. 3:25; and note the marginal rendering—"foreordained"—making the passage read: "Whom God hath foreordained to be a propitiation."

20

1 Peter 1:19, 20.

21

John 6:38, 51, 57, 61, 62.

22

John 8:58; see also 17:5, 24; and compare Exo. 3:14. Page 37.

23

John 16:27, 28; see also 13:3.

24

John 17:3-5; see also verses 24, 25.

25

Note 3, end of chapter.

26

B. of M., Ether 3:11-16. See also 1 Nephi 17:30; 19:7; 2 Nephi 9:5; 11:7; 25:12; 26:12; Mosiah 3:5; 4:2; 7:27; 13:34; 15:1; Alma 11:40; Hela. 14:12; 3 Nephi 9:15.

27

Doc. and Cov. 93:1-17, 21.

28

Doc. and Cov. 76:13, 14.

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