Author Topic: The Desire of Ages--62--The Feast at Simon's House (Read 40085 times)

Richard Myers · « **Reply #100 on:** May 13, 2023, 09:47:40 PM »

It was a blessed Sabbath today! Time with Jesus is always a blessing! While the disciples withheld from Jesus the love He desired, there was one who blessed our Savior with a demonstration of a whole heart love, Mary.

Christ delighted in the earnest desire of Mary to do the will of her Lord. He accepted the wealth of pure affection which His disciples did not, would not, understand. The desire that Mary had to do this service for her Lord was of more value to Christ than all the precious ointment in the world, because it expressed her appreciation of the world's Redeemer. It was the love of Christ that constrained her. The matchless excellence of the character of Christ filled her soul. That ointment was a symbol of the heart of the giver. It was the outward demonstration of a love fed by heavenly streams until it overflowed.
The work of Mary was just the lesson the disciples needed to show them that the expression of their love for Him would be pleasing to Christ. He had been everything to them, and they did not realize that soon they would be deprived of His presence, that soon they could offer Him no token of their gratitude for His great love. The loneliness of Christ, separated from the heavenly courts, living the life of humanity, was never understood or appreciated by the disciples as it should have been. He was often grieved because His disciples did not give Him that which He should have received from them. He knew that if they were under the influence of the heavenly angels that accompanied Him, they too would think no offering of sufficient value to declare the heart's spiritual affection.

Let us do likewise!

Richard Myers · « **Reply #101 on:** May 13, 2023, 09:49:20 PM »

Quote from: Beacon on September 29, 2020, 06:46:15 AM

"Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am sinful, very sinful. You may be;

But the worse you are, the more you need Jesus. He turns no weeping, contrite one away..

He does not tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage.

Freely will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration."

"The plan of redemption has invested humanity with great possibilities, and in Mary these possibilities were to be realized.[

Through His grace she became a partaker of the divine nature.

The one who now had fallen, and whose mind had been a habitation of demons, was brought very near to the Saviour in fellowship and ministry."

That same AMAZING GRACE AND TRANSFORMING POWER is available to ALL OF US!! Jesus said in ...

Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

I invite you, yes urge you, to come while this offer is still available.

Amen dear Brother Beacon!

Our dear brother is doing better. He is resting at home. Please continue to pray for his recovery.

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #102 on:** May 14, 2023, 07:25:44 AM »

Amen, Brother Richard!!

Praying for Brother Beacon's full recovery!!

Let the Holy Spirit lead you! Remember the offering of Mary that she lavished upon Jesus, as this shows us what happens when a heart is fully converted and in love with the Savior! We will long to be a blessing to Him and let the Holy Spirit plan for us! Not only will all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing be in our lives as we gladly obey His law of love, but we will find joy in blessing others, as Jesus loves to see His character being reproduced in us!

"Mary knew not the full significance of her deed of love. She could not answer her accusers. She could not explain why she had chosen that occasion for anointing Jesus. The Holy Spirit had planned for her, and she had obeyed His promptings. Inspiration stoops to give no reason. An unseen presence, it speaks to mind and soul, and moves the heart to action. It is its own justification." {The Desire of Ages, page 560, paragraph 4}

Beacon · « **Reply #103 on:** August 07, 2023, 08:06:43 PM »

"The work of Mary was just the lesson the disciples needed to show them that the expression of their love for Him would be pleasing to Christ."

"He had been everything to them."

"They did not realize that soon they would be deprived of His presence, that soon they could offer Him no token of their gratitude for His great love."

"The loneliness of Christ, separated from the heavenly courts, living the life of humanity, was never understood or appreciated by the disciples as it should have been."

"He was often grieved because His disciples did not give Him that which He should have received from them."

"He knew that if they were under the influence of the heavenly angels that accompanied Him, they too would think no offering of sufficient value to declare the heart's spiritual affection."

Let us pray that "WE" will not be so insensitive like the disciples! Let us count our many blessings, naming them one by one and it will surprise us what the Lord has done. Thus our voices will be raised in praise to the One who gave "ALL" so that we can spend eternity with Him.

====================

1
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
I surrender all,
I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
2
All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
3
All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
4
All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
5
All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!

Lyrics:Judson W. Van de Venter (1855-1939)
Music:Winfield Scott Weeden (1847-1908)

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #104 on:** August 08, 2023, 03:53:55 AM »

Amen, Brother Beacon!

Are you grateful that Jesus came to save you from sin? Then prayerfully find ways to express your gratitude to Him! By beholding Jesus' loveliness of character and surrendering fully to Him in true repentance, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be revealed in the life that is empowered to true obedience to God's commandments! Let Him lead you in the path of gratitude today, having "Mary Magdalene Moments" of creative ways to express how grateful you are to Him for His amazing salvation!

"The same want is evident in our world today. But few appreciate all that Christ is to them. If they did, the great love of Mary would be expressed, the anointing would be freely bestowed. The expensive ointment would not be called a waste. Nothing would be thought too costly to give for Christ, no self-denial or self-sacrifice too great to be endured for His sake." {The Desire of Ages, page 565, paragraph 3}

What a privilege it is to be a vessel in Jesus' hands to bless others! He loves us and desires to share with us the joy of seeing souls redeemed by giving us a part in sharing with others in reaching them for His kingdom! Praise God!

Richard Myers · « **Reply #105 on:** August 08, 2023, 12:27:21 PM »

Amen my dear brothers! What a God serve!! We read the story of mercy and truth in the story of the feast at Simon's house. We see rebuke and encouragement.

Mary's act was in marked contrast with that which Judas was about to do. What a sharp lesson Christ might have given him who had dropped the seed of criticism and evil thinking into the minds of the disciples! How justly the accuser might have been accused! He who reads the motives of every heart, and understands every action, might have opened before those at the feast dark chapters in the experience of Judas. The hollow pretense on which the traitor based his words might have been laid bare; for, instead of sympathizing with the poor, he was robbing them of the money intended for their relief. Indignation might have been excited against him for his oppression of the widow, the orphan, and the hireling. But had Christ unmasked Judas, this would have been urged as a reason for the betrayal. And though charged with being a thief, Judas would have gained sympathy, even among the disciples. The Saviour reproached him not, and thus avoided giving him an excuse for his treachery.
But the look which Jesus cast upon Judas convinced him that the Saviour penetrated his hypocrisy, and read his base, contemptible character. And in commending Mary's action, which had been so severely condemned, Christ had rebuked Judas. Prior to this, the Saviour had never given him a direct rebuke. Now the reproof rankled in his heart. He determined to be revenged. From the supper he went directly to the palace of the high priest, where he found the council assembled, and he offered to betray Jesus into their hands.

How kind Jesus was to Judas. No, that was not the case as many would believe. We read why it was that Jesus did not openly rebuke him. It was not out of love for Judas, but concern for His disciples. Never should we separate mercy from justice, that is the work of satan.

rahab · « **Reply #106 on:** August 08, 2023, 04:20:26 PM »

Many people don’t realize that this Mary is actually Mary Magdalene. You have to go back to the original EGW sources to find it.

Beacon · « **Reply #107 on:** November 02, 2023, 08:12:53 PM »

"He who reads the motives of every heart, and understands every action, might have opened before those at the feast dark chapters in the experience of Judas."

"The hollow pretense on which the traitor based his words might have been laid bare; for, instead of sympathizing with the poor, he was robbing them of the money intended for their relief."

"Indignation might have been excited against him for his oppression of the widow, the orphan, and the hireling. But had Christ unmasked Judas, this would have been urged as a reason for the betrayal."

"All though charged with being a thief, Judas would have gained sympathy, even among the disciples."

"The Saviour reproached him not, and thus avoided giving him an excuse for his treachery."

"But the look which Jesus cast upon Judas convinced him that the Saviour penetrated his hypocrisy, and read his base, contemptible character. And in commending Mary's action, which had been so severely condemned, Christ had rebuked Judas"

"Prior to this, the Saviour had never given him a direct rebuke. Now the reproof rankled in his heart. He determined to be revenged. From the supper he went directly to the palace of the high priest, where he found the council assembled, and he offered to betray Jesus into their hands."

Have "WE" ever been determined to be revenged?? Is that what Jesus would have"US" do?? Let us be careful with our Words & Actions.

========================

1
Earthly pleasures vainly call me,
I would be like Jesus;
Nothing worldly shall enthrall me,
I would be like Jesus.
Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.
2
He has broken every fetter,
I would be like Jesus;
That my soul may serve Him better,
I would be like Jesus.
3
All the way from earth to glory,
I would be like Jesus;
Telling o’er and o’er the story,
I would be like Jesus.

Lyrics:James Rowe (1866-1933)
Music:Bentley DeForest Ackley (1872-1958)

Richard Myers · « **Reply #108 on:** November 03, 2023, 05:47:10 AM »

Amen Brother Beacon!! There are two groups forming in this world, those who love God and those who remain at enmity with Him. The lesson in this chapter is summed up to encourage us:

Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am sinful, very sinful. You may be; but the worse you are, the more you need Jesus. He turns no weeping, contrite one away. He does not tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage. Freely will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration.
Christ might commission the angels of heaven to pour out the vials of His wrath on our world, to destroy those who are filled with hatred of God. He might wipe this dark spot from His universe. But He does not do this. He is today standing at the altar of incense, presenting before God the prayers of those who desire His help.
The souls that turn to Him for refuge, Jesus lifts above the accusing and the strife of tongues. No man or evil angel can impeach these souls. Christ unites them to His own divine-human nature. They stand beside the great Sin Bearer, in the light proceeding from the throne of God. "Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:33, 34.

Dorine · « **Reply #109 on:** November 03, 2023, 05:48:50 AM »

"Simon was touched by the kindness of Jesus in not openly rebuking him before the guests. He had not been treated as he desired Mary to be treated. He saw that Jesus did not wish to expose his guilt to others, but sought by a true statement of the case to convince his mind, and by pitying kindness to subdue his heart. Stern denunciation would have hardened Simon against repentance, but patient admonition convinced him of his error. He saw the magnitude of the debt which he owed his Lord. His pride was humbled, he repented, and the proud Pharisee became a lowly, self-sacrificing disciple."

I'm so thankful that Jesus' ways are not our ways. He does not treat us in the way we deserve but shows us that His love protects our reputation while wooing us into an abiding relationship with Him. Simon was smitten with the gentleness of Jesus towards him. Christ never condones sin but loves us with a love that took Him to the cross.

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #110 on:** November 03, 2023, 06:42:44 PM »

Amen, Brother Beacon, Brother Richard and Sister Dorine!

Happy Sabbath!!

“The work of Mary was just the lesson the disciples needed to show them that the expression of their love for Him would be pleasing to Christ. He had been everything to them, and they did not realize that soon they would be deprived of His presence, that soon they could offer Him no token of their gratitude for His great love. The loneliness of Christ, separated from the heavenly courts, living the life of humanity, was never understood or appreciated by the disciples as it should have been. He was often grieved because His disciples did not give Him that which He should have received from them. He knew that if they were under the influence of the heavenly angels that accompanied Him, they too would think no offering of sufficient value to declare the heart’s spiritual affection.” {The Desire of Ages, page 565, paragraph 1}

Let’s allow Jesus to fill our hearts with His converting love to overflow in being a blessing as He first blessed us! All of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be manifest in the life that is fully surrendered to Him! Let’s show Jesus our heart’s spiritual affection who left heaven to make heaven accessible to us by His great sacrifice!

Beacon · « **Reply #111 on:** January 28, 2024, 08:13:01 PM »

"The souls that turn to Him for refuge, Jesus lifts above the accusing and the strife of tongues."

"No man or evil angel can impeach these souls."

"Christ unites them to His own divine-human nature."

"They stand beside the great Sin Bearer, in the light proceeding from the throne of God."

"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?"

"It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth?"

"It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8:33, 34."

Praise His Holy Name - He is "OUR" High Priest - Savior and Redeemer. We "ALL" have a great Advocate in the Courtroom Above and He's willing to forgive and restore us to Himself so that we can spend eternity with Him. How grateful we all should be!!
========================
1
Come, every soul by sin oppressed,
There’s mercy with the Lord;
And He will surely give you rest
By trusting in His Word.
Only trust Him! Only trust Him!
Only trust Him now!
He will save you! He will save you!
He will save you now!
2
For Jesus shed His precious blood
Rich blessings to bestow;
Plunge now into the crimson flood
That washeth white as snow.
3
Yes, Jesus is the Truth, the Way,
That leads you into rest;
Believe in Him without delay,
And you are fully blest.
4
Come then, and join the holy band,
And on to glory go;
In Christ’s redemption take your stand,
And all His goodness know.

Lyrics:John Hart Stockton (1813-1877)
Music:John Hart Stockton (1813-1877

Dorine · « **Reply #112 on:** January 29, 2024, 06:25:42 AM »

"Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am sinful, very sinful. You may be; but the worse you are, the more you need Jesus. He turns no weeping, contrite one away. He does not tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage. Freely will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration."

How can anyone turn away from this offer? When I came to accept this truth for myself my life took a change I never thought possible. He will do it for all if they will only give Him a chance. Look what He did for Mary. This story shows the depth of compassion and mercy Jesus has for each soul.

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #113 on:** January 29, 2024, 07:05:28 AM »

Amen, Brother Beacon and Sister Dorine! What an amazing Savior we have in Jesus!

Are you deeply grateful for what Jesus has done for you? God will have a people that love and obey Him on the earth even when all earthly supports are cut off (see Revelation 13:11-17). God is able to help keep our focus on Jesus as the motivation for faithfulness; by beholding His pure, unselfish love, we are changed into His image (character). We can be an encouragement to Jesus' tender, loving heart by responding to the everlasting gospel of His grace for this time (see Revelation 14:6-12). As Jesus comes to abide in us and we abide in Him in a full surrender, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will be seen in our lives, for we will be empowered by His divine nature accessible to us by His promises to obey Him and serve Him with gladness!

"The work of Mary was just the lesson the disciples needed to show them that the expression of their love for Him would be pleasing to Christ. He had been everything to them, and they did not realize that soon they would be deprived of His presence, that soon they could offer Him no token of their gratitude for His great love. The loneliness of Christ, separated from the heavenly courts, living the life of humanity, was never understood or appreciated by the disciples as it should have been. He was often grieved because His disciples did not give Him that which He should have received from them. He knew that if they were under the influence of the heavenly angels that accompanied Him, they too would think no offering of sufficient value to declare the heart's spiritual affection." {The Desire of Ages, page 565, paragraph 1}

Let us cultivate spiritual affection for our loving God and for the people around us. Let us realize the value of each soul--and see them as priceless jewels that Christ yearns to have with Him throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. As we do value Christ and the souls around us, our whole lives come to take on the genuine tone of spiritual worship, where all we say and do is for the glory of God, and we sow the seeds to love and truth that are a part of how God woos the heart to Himself. The bliss of true conversion cannot be fully put into words. You can only fully know it by experience.

Richard Myers · « **Reply #114 on:** January 29, 2024, 07:19:13 AM »

Amen my dear brothers and sister! What does conversion look like? And what is it that causes the heart to love the Lord our God supremely? We love Him because He first revealed His great love for us. It was this love that constrained Mary to love Him so deeply.

Christ delighted in the earnest desire of Mary to do the will of her Lord. He accepted the wealth of pure affection which His disciples did not, would not, understand. The desire that Mary had to do this service for her Lord was of more value to Christ than all the precious ointment in the world, because it expressed her appreciation of the world's Redeemer. It was the love of Christ that constrained her. The matchless excellence of the character of Christ filled her soul. That ointment was a symbol of the heart of the giver. It was the outward demonstration of a love fed by heavenly streams until it overflowed.

Yes, it is this love that reaches deep into the soul that is revealed in our words and deeds. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Philip T · « **Reply #115 on:** January 29, 2024, 07:25:06 AM »

Christ delighted in the earnest desire of Mary to do the will of her Lord. He accepted the wealth of pure affection which His disciples did not, would not, understand. The desire that Mary had to do this service for her Lord was of more value to Christ than all the precious ointment in the world, because it expressed her appreciation of the world's Redeemer. It was the love of Christ that constrained her. The matchless excellence of the character of Christ filled her soul. That ointment was a symbol of the heart of the giver. It was the outward demonstration of a love fed by heavenly streams until it overflowed.

So we see the love of Christ given to Mary, forgiveness of her sins, filled her with the love of Christ so it overflowed to those around her. May we also be filled with God's love, "Fill me up Lord, Fill me up, that I may overflow", may this be the experience we have when we surrender all to God, and accept His unmerited grace for us.

Beacon · « **Reply #116 on:** April 23, 2024, 08:01:03 PM »

"Christ delighted in the earnest desire of Mary to do the will of her Lord."

"He accepted the wealth of pure affection which His disciples did not, would not, understand."

"The desire that Mary had to do this service for her Lord was of more value to Christ than all the precious ointment in the world, because it expressed her appreciation of the world's Redeemer."

"It was the love of Christ that constrained her."

The matchless excellence of the character of Christ filled her soul. That ointment was a symbol of the heart of the giver. It was the outward demonstration of a love fed by heavenly streams until it overflowed.

"So we see the love of Christ given to Mary, forgiveness of her sins, filled her with the love of Christ so it overflowed to those around her."

May we also be filled with God's love."

Hopefully this will be the experience we all have when we surrender "ALL" to Jesus and accept His unmerited grace for us.
============================
1
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
2
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
3
The Lord hath promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
4
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.

Lyrics:John Newton (1725-1807)
Music:Traditional American melody

Pastor Sean Brizendine · « **Reply #117 on:** April 24, 2024, 04:05:55 AM »

Amen, Brother Beacon!

Take courage in Jesus!

"The souls that turn to Him for refuge, Jesus lifts above the accusing and the strife of tongues. No man or evil angel can impeach these souls. Christ unites them to His own divine-human nature. They stand beside the great Sin Bearer, in the light proceeding from the throne of God. 'Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.' Romans 8:33, 34." {The Desire of Ages, page 568, paragraph 5}

In remembering the experience of Mary Magdalene, we see there is hope for all of us. Jesus sees all we can be! He yearns to pardon, heal and restore us to His image by uniting us with His divine-human nature! As we are fully surrendered to Him in true conversion, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will flow forth from our lives as a genuine witness that Christ lives in us, the hope of glory! Gladly will we be empowered to obey God in accordance with His royal law of love revealed in the Ten Commandments, for He sets us free from sin! Praise God!

JimB · « **Reply #118 on:** April 24, 2024, 04:54:10 AM »

Pastor Sean, I love that you've stressed that there is hope for all and how He desires to forgive. Its not something that He withholds from those who desperately see their need. Your thought directly leads into this part that I just love reading every time. Hope for the most sinful, hope to the uttermost!!

Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am sinful, very sinful. You may be; but the worse you are, the more you need Jesus. He turns no weeping, contrite one away. He does not tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul take courage. Freely will He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration.

Richard Myers · « **Reply #119 on:** April 24, 2024, 06:23:04 AM »

Amen my dear brothers! Such love, such wisdom in dealing with sin. We have two examples of how the love of God constrains sinners to repentance. It is not the fear of hell nor the promise of life eternal, but God's grace that transforms sinners into saints.

Simon was touched by the kindness of Jesus in not openly rebuking him before the guests. He had not been treated as he desired Mary to be treated. He saw that Jesus did not wish to expose his guilt to others, but sought by a true statement of the case to convince his mind, and by pitying kindness to subdue his heart. Stern denunciation would have hardened Simon against repentance, but patient admonition convinced him of his error. He saw the magnitude of the debt which he owed his Lord. His pride was humbled, he repented, and the proud Pharisee became a lowly, self-sacrificing disciple.
Mary had been looked upon as a great sinner, but Christ knew the circumstances that had shaped her life. He might have extinguished every spark of hope in her soul, but He did not. It was He who had lifted her from despair and ruin. Seven times she had heard His rebuke of the demons that controlled her heart and mind. She had heard His strong cries to the Father in her behalf. She knew how offensive is sin to His unsullied purity, and in His strength she had overcome.