Afterward, as they looked upon the objects that illustrated His lessons, they recalled the words of the divine Teacher. By connecting His teaching with the scenes of life, experience, or nature, He secured their attention and impressed their hearts. For this reason also He taught them in parables. Контексте: Christ had truths to present which the people were unprepared to accept or even to understand. In parables He rebuked the hypocrisy and wicked works of those who occupied high positions, and in figurative language clothed truth of so cutting a character that had it been spoken in direct denunciation, they would not have listened to His words, and would speedily have put an end to His ministry.“ The Saviour understood the character of these men, and He presented truth in such a way that they could find nothing by which to bring His case before the Sanhedrim. Their spies followed His steps day after day, to catch from His lips something that would cause His condemnation, and forever silence the One who seemed to draw the world after Him. Among the multitudes that gathered about Him, there were priests and rabbis, scribes and elders, Herodians and rulers, world-loving, bigoted, ambitious men, who desired above all things to find some accusation against Him. The humblest, the most sinful, heard in His teaching a voice that spoke to them in sympathy and tenderness.Īnd He had another reason for teaching in parables. None who listened to the Saviour could feel that they were neglected or forgotten. Help the children to think of this, and they will smooth the path of the aged by their courtesy and respect and will bring grace and beauty into their young lives as they heed the command to “rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man.” 5 Education, 244.„Their interest was aroused by figures drawn from the surroundings of their daily life. It tells of weary feet nearing their rest, of places soon to be vacant. He says, “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” It tells of battles fought, and victories gained of burdens borne, and temptations resisted. 4 Testimonies for the Church 4:339, 340.Īnd God has especially enjoined tender respect toward the aged. Yet, when thus elevated, he will be unconscious of his goodness and greatness. He came from the hand of his Creator with a symmetrical character, endowed with such capacities for improvement that, combining divine influence with human efforts, he might elevate himself almost to an angel's sphere. Man may be so elevated as to form the connecting link between heaven and earth. Those who fear and reverence God, He will delight to honor. Persons of this character do not think it detracts from their dignity to rise up before the ancient and to treat gray hairs with respect. The church is suffering today for help of an opposite character-modest, quiet, God-fearing men, who will bear disagreeable burdens when laid upon them, not for the name, but to render service to their Master, who died for them. We have in our ranks too many who are restless, talkative, self-commending, and who take the liberty to put themselves forward, having no reverence for age, experience, or office.
To live, think, and act for self only is to become useless as servants of God. There are services due to others which we cannot ignore and yet keep the commandments of God. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.
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