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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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As yet no one had spoken, for <strong>the</strong> silence <strong>of</strong><br />

expectancy had fallen on <strong>the</strong>m all. Could He, <strong>and</strong>,<br />

if He could, wotdd He help—<strong>and</strong> wJujU would He<br />

do ? But He, Who perceived man's unspoken<br />

thoughts, knew that <strong>the</strong>re was not only faith, but<br />

also fear, in <strong>the</strong> heart <strong>of</strong> that man. Hence <strong>the</strong> first<br />

words which <strong>the</strong> Saviour spake to him were: ^ Be<br />

<strong>of</strong> good cheer.' • He had, indeed, got beyond <strong>the</strong><br />

coarse Judaic st<strong>and</strong>point, from which suffering<br />

seemed an expiation <strong>of</strong> sin. It was argued by <strong>the</strong><br />

Rabbis, that, if <strong>the</strong> loss <strong>of</strong> an eye or a tooth<br />

liberated a slave from bondage, much more would<br />

<strong>the</strong> sufferings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole body free <strong>the</strong> soul from<br />

guilt; <strong>and</strong>, again, that Scripture itself indicated this<br />

by <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> word ^ covenant,' alike in<br />

oonnectioii with <strong>the</strong> salt which rendered <strong>the</strong><br />

sacrifices meet for <strong>the</strong> altar,* <strong>and</strong> sufferings,®<br />

which did <strong>the</strong> like for <strong>the</strong> soul by cleansing away<br />

sin.* We can readily believe, as <strong>the</strong> recorded<br />

experience <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rabbis shows,® that such<br />

sayings brought nei<strong>the</strong>r relief to <strong>the</strong> body, nor<br />

comfort to <strong>the</strong> soul <strong>of</strong> real sufferers. But this o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

Jewish idea was even more deeply rooted, had

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