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k He did。 Chapter fifty…three sets forth His rejection and sufferings in the world； and chapter fifty…nine describes the character of the priests and rabbis。
God does not compel men to give up their unbelief。 Before them are light and darkness； truth and error。 It is for them to decide which they will accept。 The human mind is endowed with power to discriminate between right and wrong。 God designs that men shall not decide from impulse； but from weight of evidence； carefully comparing scripture with scripture。 Had the Jews laid by their prejudice and compared written prophecy with the facts characterizing the life of Jesus； they would have perceived a beautiful harmony between the prophecies and their fulfillment in the life and ministry of the lowly Galilean。
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Many are deceived today in the same way as were the Jews。 Religious teachers read the Bible in the light of their own understanding and traditions； and the people do not search the Scriptures for themselves； and judge for themselves as to what is truth； but they yield up their judgment； and commit their souls to their leaders。 The preaching and teaching of His word is one of the means that God has ordained for diffusing light； but we must bring every man's teaching to the test of Scripture。 Whoever will prayerfully study the Bible； desiring to know the truth； that he may obey it； will receive divine enlightenment。 He will understand the Scriptures。 〃If any man willeth to do His will； he shall know of the teaching。〃 John 7：17； R。 V。
On the last day of the feast； the officers sent out by the priests and rulers to arrest Jesus； returned without Him。 They were angrily questioned； 〃Why have ye not brought Him？〃 With solemn countenance they answered； 〃Never man spake like this Man。〃
Hardened as were their hearts； they were melted by His words。 While He was speaking in the temple court； they had lingered near； to catch something that might be turned against Him。 But as they listened； the purpose for which they had been sent was forgotten。 They stood as men entranced。 Christ revealed Himself to their souls。 They saw that which priests and rulers would not see；humanity flooded with the glory of divinity。 They returned； so filled with this thought； so impressed by His words； that to the inquiry； 〃Why have ye not brought Him？〃 they could only reply； 〃Never man spake like this Man。〃
The priests and rulers； on first coming into the presence of Christ； had felt the same conviction。 Their hearts were deeply moved； and the thought was forced upon them； 〃Never man spake like this Man。〃 But they had stifled the conviction of the Holy Spirit。 Now； enraged that even the instruments of the law should be influenced by the hated Galilean； they cried； 〃Are ye also deceived？ Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on Him？ But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed。〃
Those to whom the message of truth is spoken seldom ask； 〃Is it true？〃 but； 〃By whom is it advocated？〃 Multitudes 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