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titudes estimate it by the numbers who accept it； and the question is still asked； 〃Have any of the learned men or religious leaders believed？〃 Men are no more favorable to real godliness now than in the days of Christ。 They are just as intently seeking earthly good； to the neglect of eternal riches； and it is not an
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argument against the truth； that large numbers are not ready to accept it； or that it is not received by the world's great men； or even by the religious leaders。
Again the priests and rulers proceeded to lay plans for arresting Jesus。 It was urged that if He were longer left at liberty； He would draw the people away from the established leaders； and the only safe course was to silence Him without delay。 In the full tide of their discussion； they were suddenly checked。 Nicodemus questioned； 〃Doth our law judge any man； before it hear him； and know what he doeth？〃 Silence fell on the assembly。 The words of Nicodemus came home to their consciences。 They could not condemn a man unheard。 But it was not for this reason alone that the haughty rulers remained silent； gazing at him who had dared to speak in favor of justice。 They were startled and chagrined that one of their own number had been so far impressed by the character of Jesus as to speak a word in His defense。 Recovering from their astonishment； they addressed Nicodemus with cutting sarcasm； 〃Art thou also of Galilee？ Search and look： for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet。〃
Yet the protest resulted in staying the proceedings of the council。 The rulers were unable to carry out their purpose and condemn Jesus without a hearing。 Defeated for the time； 〃every man went unto his own house。 Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives。〃
From the excitement and confusion of the city； from the eager crowds and the treacherous rabbis； Jesus turned away to the quiet of the olive groves； where He could be alone with God。 But in the early morning He returned to the temple； and as the people gathered about Him； He sat down and taught them。
He was soon interrupted。 A group of Pharisees and scribes approached Him； dragging with them a terror…stricken woman； whom with hard； eager voices they accused of having violated the seventh commandment。 Having pushed her into the presence of Jesus； they said to Him； with a hypocritical show of respect； 〃Moses in the law commanded us； that such should be stoned： but what sayest Thou？〃
Their pretended reverence veiled a deep…laid plot for His ruin。 They had seized upon this opportunity to secure His condemnation； thinking that whatever decision He might make； they would find occasion to accuse Him。 Should He acquit the woman； He might be charged with despising the law of Moses。 Should He declare her worthy of death；
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He could be accused to the Romans as one who was assuming authority that belonged only to them。
Jesus looked for a moment upon the scene；the trembling victim in her shame； the hard…faced dignitaries； devoid of even human pity。 His spirit of stainless purity shrank from the spectacle。 Well He knew for what purpose this case had been brought to Him。 He read the heart； and knew the character and life history of everyone in His presence。 These would…be guardians of justice had themselves led their victim into sin； that they might lay a snare for Jesus。 Giving no sign that He had heard their question； He stooped； and fixing His eyes upon the ground； began to write in the dust。
Impatient at His delay and apparent indifference； the accusers drew nearer； urging the matter upon His attention。 But as their eyes； following those of Jesus； fell upon the pavement at His feet； their countenances changed。 There； traced before them； were the guilty secrets of their own lives。 The people； looking on； saw the sudden change of expression； and pressed forward to discover what it was that they were regarding with such astonishment and shame。
With all their professions of reverence for the law； these rabbis； in bringing the charge against the woman； were disregarding its provisions。 It was the husband's duty to take action against her； and the guilty parties were to be punished equally。 The action of the accusers was wholly unauthorized。 Jesus； however； met them on their own ground。 The law specified that in punishment by stoning； the witnesses in the case should be the first to cast a stone。 Now rising； and fixing His eyes upon the plotting elders； Jesus said； 〃He that is without sin among you； let him first cast a stone at her。〃 And stooping down； He continued writing on the ground。
He had not set aside the law given through Moses； nor infringed upon the authority of Rome。 The accusers had been defeated。 Now； their robe of pretended holiness torn from them； they stood； guilty and condemned； in the presence of Infinite Purity。 They trembled lest the hidden iniquity of their lives should be laid open to the multitude； and one by one； with bowed heads and downcast eyes； they stole away； leaving their victim with the pitying Saviour。
Jesus arose； and looking at the woman said； 〃Woman； where are those thine accusers？ hath no man condemned thee？ She said； No man； Lord。 And Jesus said unto her； Neither do I condemn thee： go； and sin no more。〃
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The woman had stood before Jesus； cowering with fear。 His words； 〃He that is without sin among you； let him first cast a stone；〃 had come to her as a death sentence。 She dared not lift her eyes to the Saviour's face； but silently awaited her doom。 In astonishment she saw her accusers depart speechless and confounded； then those words of hope fell upon her ear； 〃Neither do I condemn thee： go； and sin no more。〃 Her heart was melted； and she cast herself at the feet of Jesus； sobbing out her grateful love； and with bitter tears confessing her sins。
This was to her the beginning of a new life； a life of purity and peace； devoted to the service of God。 In the uplifting of this fallen soul； Jesus performed a greater miracle than in healing the most grievous physical disease； He cured the spiritual malady which is unto death everlasting。 This penitent woman became one of His most steadfast followers。 With self…sacrificing love and devotion she repaid His forgiving mercy。
In His act of pardoning this woman and encouraging her to live a better life； the character of Jesus shines forth in the beauty of perfect righteousness。 While He does not palliate sin； nor lessen the sense of guilt； He seeks not to condemn； but to save。 The world had for this erring woman only contempt and scorn； but Jesus speaks words of comfort and hope。 The Sinless One pities the weakness of the sinner； and reaches to her a helping hand。 While the hypocritical Pharisees denounce； Jesus bids her； 〃Go； and sin no more。〃
It is not Christ's follower that； with averted eyes； turns from the erring； leaving them unhindered to pursue their downward course。 Those who are forward in accusing others； and zealous in bringing them to justice； are often in their own lives more guilty than they。 Men hate the sinner； while they love the sin。 Christ hates the sin； but loves the sinner。 This will be the spirit of all who follow Him。 Christian love is slow to censure； quick to discern penitence； ready to forgive； to encourage； to set the wanderer in the path of holiness； and to stay his feet therein。
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Chapter 51
〃The Light of Life〃
Then spake Jesus again unto them； saying； I am the light of the world： he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness； but shall have the light of life。〃
When He spoke these words； Jesus was in the court of the temple specially connected with the services of the Feast of Tabernacles。 In the center of this court rose two lofty standards； supporting lampstands of great size。 After the evening sacrifice； all the lamps were kindled； shedding their light over Jerusalem。 This ceremony was in commemoration of the pillar of light that guided Israel in the desert； and was also regarded as pointing to the coming of the Messiah。 At evening when the lamps were lighted； the court was a scene of great rejoicing。 Gray…haired men； the priests of the temple and the rulers of the people； united in the festive dances to the sound of instrumental music and the chants of the Levites。
In the illumination of Jerusalem； the people expressed their hope of the Messiah's coming to shed His light upon Israel。 But to Jesus the scene had a wider meaning。 As the radiant lamps of the temple lighted up all about them； so Christ； the source of spiritual light； illumines the darkness of the world。 Yet the symbol was imperfect。 That great light which His own hand had set in the heavens was a truer representation of the glory of His mission。
It was morning； the sun had just risen above the Mount of Olives； and its rays fell with dazzling brightness on the marble palaces； and
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lighted up the gold of the temple walls； when Jesus； pointing to it； said； 〃I am the light of the world。〃
By one who listened to these words； they were long afterward re…echoed in that sublime passage； 〃In Him was life