Works of John Bunyan: LIGHT FOR THEM THAT SIT IN DARKNESS. 397

 

Concerning Jesus, how he put himself to the test among his adversaries.

The Lord Jesus also put himself to the test among his adversaries in diverse ways.

First, he urged the time of the Messiah's appearing to become:' The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel' (Mark 1:15).

For this, he had a threefold proof—1. The heathens had invaded and taken the land, according to Daniel (9:25,26). 2. According to Jacob, The scepter departed from Judah (Gen 49:10). Which also suited that prophecy: 'Before the child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrent shall be forsaken of both her kings' (Isa 7:16). 3. The Roman emperor had not only subdued the nation and put down the kingly race of the Jews but had set up and established his own power over them. In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod was tetrarch of Galilee; Philip, tetrarch of Iturea; and Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene; all heathens, and of Tiberius' making.

Besides, the kingly race of Judah was at this time become so low because of the Roman oppression that the chief of them were put to get their living by their own hands; even Joseph, the supposed father of Jesus, then became a carpenter. Poor man! When Jesus was born, he was fain to be thrust into a stable, for there was no room for such guests in the inn. The offering also which was brought unto God at the time when Jesus was presented unto the Lord, was two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons—a sacrifice allowed only for them that were poor, and could provide no bigger—' And if she is not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons, the one for the burnt-offering, and the other for a sin-offering (Lev 12:8). Besides, Jesus himself saith, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests. Still, the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.'

Now, I say, all these things were so apparent to the Jews that they could not object; they felt the Romans came, they knew the scepter was gone, they smarted under the Roman tyranny, and they knew the kingly race of Judea was overthrown. How could they object that the time had not come for Christ to be born?

Further, the people were generally convinced that the time had come; therefore, according to the text, they expected it. 'And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he was the Christ or not' (Luke 3:15). The unbiased people, observing the face of things, could do no other but look for the Messiah. And hence it is that the Lord Jesus gives the Pharisees, those mortal enemies of his, such sore rebukes, saying, 'O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, but can ye not discern the signs of the times?' The kingdom is lost, the heathens come, and the scepter is departed from Judah. 'Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and earth, but how is it that ye do not discern this time?' (Matt 16:3; Luke 12:56).

Second, he yet again puts himself to the test by the miracles he wrought before them—' Believe me, that I am in the Father, and the Father in me, or else believe me for the very works' sake' (John 14:11). For the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me' (John 5:36).

They could not withstand this proof, but they granted that he did many miracles while they did nothing. 'Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him, and the Romans shall come, and take away both our place and nation' (John 11:47, 48).

Yea, so did Jesus confound them that by their own records and laws, by which they were to prove persons clean or unclean, they, in reading their lectures, justified him and overthrew themselves.

For instance, it was written in their law, 'If he that hath an issue spit upon him that is clean,' that spittle should make him unclean (Lev 15:8). Now Jesus, whom they counted most unclean because he said he was the Son of God, as they thought, speaking blasphemy, he spits upon people, and makes them whole. He spat and made clay with the spittle, which made a blind man see (John 9:6). Also, he spat on the eyes of another and made him see (Mark 8:23-25). Again, he spat, and with his spittle touched the tongue of one that was dumb, and made him speak immediately (Mark 7:33-35). Thus, he proved himself clear of their accusations and maintained that he was guiltless and the Son of God by their law, for the miracles he wrought were to prove him so to be.