See the scene here. The magnificent Temple of God built by Herod was the Crown Jewel of the Jewish state. Even the disciples were caught marveling at its outward grandeur. Yet its Holy of Holies stood empty, the Shekinah Glory of God that once resided in Solomon's Temple, never having overshadowed this one. But now, without fanfare, His Son (God's Glory) stood within. God, who Himself once resided within the Holy of Holies in ancient years, veiled by smoke, now present in Human Form (Immanuel -- God with us), teaching in the Treasury for all Israel to see.

After being in God's presence within the Tabernacle of the wilderness, Moses had to veil the glow of his face when he would exit to speak to the people. Yet here was, not Moses who merely reflected the Light after being in His Presence, but the Light itself; and they could not see! What a tragedy. Their hearts were like the Holy of Holies -- now both empty of God and void of His Law.

Their natural minds were unable to see this Heavenly Vistor, at last unveiled and all the witnesses speaking in harmony for His recognition. Their eyes could not see because of the carnal thoughts of their corrupt hearts.

These are vain, seeking their own glory and are self-serving in their service to others, going headlong into sin. Examine these two groups in Paul's contrast of them in his letter to the Romans. (Rom.2:14-24)

Some believe there is a time lapse between vs.30 & vs.31, with those of vs.30 being genuine believers, and those of vs.31 and following, being as those of 2:23-25. Because of the usage of the Greek, I feel these to be the same, although they are like King Agrippa before Paul -- only "almost persuaded."

In this passage, Jesus reveals the true test for discipleship. Simply put in His own words, as He so often does: "If you continue in my Word." In Ch.15, He will expand on this teaching under the topic of "Abiding."

Contrary to man's own beliefs about himself, both then and now, Christ teaches that man is not his own master, but a slave to his own carnal nature. This is the war Paul describes in his writing in Romans. If man thinks that in his own mind is sufficient strength to stand against the forces that are aligned against him at and following birth, he is a prime target for the demons who will be his downfall. Visit institutions and cemeteries for witness to this fact, men and women likely much stronger than yourself, locked away within and already fallen victims to powers they did not consider greater than themselves. Whether one finds this desirable or intellectually benefiting to admit or not, the fact remains there are forces greater than any one can master alone. And as good as the best medical and mental help may be (in some cases, actually detrimental, for they tend only to mask the victims' fears, or suppress their symptomatic guilt), they still exceed the strength of the strongest medicines. Only the One who created them before their fallen condition, who alone still remains capable of controlling them at Will, can permanently rid the human soul of their haunting presence and associated evils, thus positioning Himself as one's new Master for future protection. (Study Mk.1:24-34; Lk.4:41; Js.2:19; Lk.8:26-33; Lk.4:36; Lk.9:1; & Mk.16:17. Also, Lk.11:20-26 & Jn.5:13-15.)

In ancient custom, a slave could be adopted as a son only after being set free by his master. He could be dismissed from the master's household, but once set free and adopted, he could never be disowned or lose his inheritance.

Thus, being adopted into the Family of God (His Kingdom), one is eternally secure in Him, and free indeed! And though sin may still trouble that one from time to time, it can never again own him; for that one has been forever purchased through the price of Christ's blood paid for all men's sins.

It is Christ, and Christ alone, who has sufficiently and securely bound man's carnal master (Satan), and through the Cross and His subsequent Resurrection, set at liberty the captives who seek through Him their eternal freedom. Jesus has become the Captain of that soul!

One might ask: If He has this power still over those created fallen angels (demons), then why doesn't He just order them away from the man He loves so dearly? Good question. This is where man's own will and choice comes into play. (Here, study Job.) God could command every creature to love Him, but what love would that be? This is something we can all relate to and understand. It is only through the choice one makes of us do we know their true love for us. And this choice must be more than mere words; it must be demonstrated through action. Love, then, is seen only in one's action toward another -- words alone do not convey its meaning. Therefore, just as we desire someone in particular to love us (act affectionately toward us), then, we certainly would not engage in a plan of force to compel that love.

All of us have known ones who, through their unsolicited actions, have attempted to gain another's attention, affection, respect, or even love. This was done through the use of their learning what that one needed, and then, either doing or buying it for them, thinking their love could be purchased with money or favors. When this was done and the desired results did not occur, a major disappointment set in for the one who acted in unrequested behalf of the other -- with some personalities displaying outright anger from their spurned or ignored attempts.

No. Love, genuine love, does not come this way. It comes from the one who recognizes within us, from our ongoing behavior, a trait (or traits) they admire and are drawn to for personal association and affection. Then, when that one becomes a personal beneficiary of those already admired traits in us, an appreciation for us develops into a love that can never be forced.

This is Love! A love that has developed through the actions of choice by both individuals. Do you see now? God has chosen us, but He will not force Himself upon us. But when we see Him, and choose Him, then He will come to us, doing those things He quite naturally does for all! Now I think you see. As much as God chooses us, we must in turn choose Him for this relationship to be eternally secured. Every contemporary religious Jew knows this about God. (Study carefully now the Song of Solomon, key vs.: 2:7; 3:5; & 8:4.)

So, imagine the opposite if you will. Since His eye has already light upon us, and He waits for ours to equally see Him, when this does not happen, imagine the hurt He must feel in our rejection -- especially when all His signs to us go unnoticed, until it is time for us to pass beyond, choosing to ignore and remain in our continued self-condemnation.

This was Christ and the Pharisees. Men more studied in His Word than all others, an apple of His Tree, yet too blind to see -- by choice, remaining in their own blind rejection of His affection toward them as well. Here was the epitome of the post-Babylonian Jew, a rigid interpreter and enforcer of God's Laws upon others, but who failed to observe their own laws themselves, one who possessed the pinnacle of God's knowledge but lacked His Light for its illumination and resultant power. Why wouldn't He make the effort to win their hearts for this life-changing process He had come to bring from the Father to all? And who is to say that He did not accomplish exactly what He intended in His efforts. I for one believe He did. Beyond what we can or are allowed to see and know of His Plan, the evidence indicates at least two were won from their ranks -- Joseph and Nicodemus ( Mt.27:57; Jn.7:50; 19:38-39, and likely others of whom we have no record). (Study Ps.131; Job 33:13-33; 42:1-6.)

But permit here a suggestion of something that may not be too far-fetched, keeping in mind His discourse on the Light in this confrontation. Study the life of Paul, the Mosaic Law and the traditions (teachings) of the fathers which he rigidly embraced, and the Scripture. One cannot say with certainty the location of Paul (Saul) in the fall of A.D.29, except to say that: (1) this Feast of Tabernacles was one of the 3 all male Jews were required to attend, (2) though from Tarsus of Asia Minor, Paul had a sister who lived in Jerusalem (whose son was responsible for warning him against this very Council some years later), thus providing for him a local residence for his current education, and (3) that Paul received this education in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel, grandson of Hillel, one most highly regarded to all Jews to contemporary times. (Their Talmud identifies him as such and further states that he became the President of this Council.) We do know that (1) Paul's own father was a Pharisee, and (2) this Gamaliel was a member of this Council in the early days of the Church, therefore, likely a short time earlier at Christ's crucifixion, and which Council Paul himself became a member before his own conversion in A.D.32, just 2 short years after Jesus' death. With these few requirements, conditions, and connections mentioned (of many others you will find in your own study), then is it not possible that Paul (Saul) was in Jerusalem at this very Feast and closely associated with Gamaliel, a Pharisee of this Council whom Christ is addressing? If so, then -- Well, you draw your own conclusions.

But, consider one other interesting point in connection to our current study, keeping in mind what we have already learned about Christ always approaching and speaking to every man at the point of his own unique obstacle to entering the kingdom. In what fashion did Christ choose to appear to Paul to obtain his attention, and in one act convince (convict) Paul of: (1) his own incorrectly chosen course, and (2) His Identity and Authenticity? Is it not to Paul, most attribute the change of the course of civilization to westward, rather than eastward, through his call and mission to Macedonia (and subsequent work and movement of Christianity)? Therefore, if he alone was in this meeting with the Pharisees (and if only as an observer with yet no official capacity as he soon will have), then were not Christ's words to them all worth those that entered the ear of this future Apostle? Just a thought. Again, do with it as you will.