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to come under its dominion。 We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light。 If we do not co…operate with the heavenly agencies； Satan will take possession of the heart； and will make it his abiding place。 The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness。 Unless we become vitally connected with God； we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self…love； self…indulgence； and temptation to sin。 We may leave off many bad habits； for the time we may part company with Satan； but without a vital connection with God； through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment； we shall be overcome。 Without a personal acquaintance with Christ； and a continual communion； we are at the mercy of the enemy； and shall do his bidding in the end。
〃The last state of that man is worse than the first。 Even so；〃 said Jesus； 〃shall it be also unto this wicked generation。〃 There are none so hardened as those who have slighted the invitation of mercy； and done despite to the Spirit of grace。 The most common manifestation of the sin against the Holy Spirit is in persistently slighting Heaven's invitation to repent。 Every step in the rejection of Christ is a step toward the rejection of salvation； and toward the sin against the Holy Spirit。
In rejecting Christ the Jewish people committed the unpardonable sin； and by refusing the invitation of mercy； we may commit the same
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error。 We offer insult to the Prince of life； and put Him to shame before the synagogue of Satan and before the heavenly universe when we refuse to listen to His delegated messengers； and instead listen to the agents of Satan； who would draw the soul away from Christ。 So long as one does this； he can find no hope or pardon； and he will finally lose all desire to be reconciled to God。
While Jesus was still teaching the people； His disciples brought the message that His mother and His brothers were without； and desired to see Him。 He knew what was in their hearts； and 〃He answered and said unto him that told Him； Who is My mother？ and who are My brethren？ And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples； and said； Behold My mother and My brethren！ For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven； the same is My brother； and sister； and mother。〃
All who would receive Christ by faith were united to Him by a tie closer than that of human kinship。 They would become one with Him； as He was one with the Father。 As a believer and doer of His words； His mother was more nearly and savingly related to Him than through her natural relationship。 His brothers would receive no benefit from their connection with Him unless they accepted Him as their personal Saviour。
What a support Christ would have found in His earthly relatives if they had believed in Him as one from heaven； and had co…operated with Him in doing the work of God！ Their unbelief cast a shadow over the earthly life of Jesus。 It was a part of the bitterness of that cup of woe which He drained for us。
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The enmity kindled in the human heart against the gospel was keenly felt by the Son of God； and it was most painful to Him in His home； for His own heart was full of kindness and love； and He appreciated tender regard in the family relation。 His brothers desired that He should concede to their ideas； when such a course would have been utterly out of harmony with His divine mission。 They looked upon Him as in need of their counsel。 They judged Him from their human point of view； and thought that if He would speak only such things as would be acceptable to the scribes and Pharisees； He would avoid the disagreeable controversy that His words aroused。 They thought that He was beside Himself in claiming divine authority； and in placing Himself before the rabbis as a reprover of their sins。 They knew that the Pharisees were seeking occasion to accuse Him； and they felt that He had given them sufficient occasion。
With their short measuring line they could not fathom the mission which He came to fulfill； and therefore could not sympathize with Him in His trials。 Their coarse； unappreciative words showed that they had no true perception of His character； and did not discern that the divine blended with the human。 They often saw Him full of grief； but instead of comforting Him； their spirit and words only wounded His heart。 His sensitive nature was tortured； His motives were misunderstood； His work was uncomprehended。
His brothers often brought forward the philosophy of the Pharisees； which was threadbare and hoary with age； and presumed to think that they could teach Him who understood all truth； and comprehended all mysteries。 They freely condemned that which they could not understand。 Their reproaches probed Him to the quick； and His soul was wearied and distressed。 They avowed faith in God； and thought they were vindicating God； when God was with them in the flesh； and they knew Him not。
These things made His path a thorny one to travel。 So pained was Christ by the misapprehension in His own home that it was a relief to Him to go where it did not exist。 There was one home that He loved to visit；the home of Lazarus； and Mary； and Martha； for in the atmosphere of faith and love His spirit had rest。 Yet there were none on earth who could comprehend His divine mission； or know the burden which He bore in behalf of humanity。 Often He could find relief only in being alone； and communing with His heavenly Father。
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Those who are called to suffer for Christ's sake； who have to endure misapprehension and distrust； even in their own home； may find comfort in the thought that Jesus has endured the same。 He is moved with compassion for them。 He bids them find companionship in Him； and relief where He found it； in communion with the Father。
Those who accept Christ as their personal Saviour are not left as orphans； to bear the trials of life alone。 He receives them as members of the heavenly family； He bids them call His Father their Father。 They are His 〃little ones；〃 dear to the heart of God； bound to Him by the most tender and abiding ties。 He has toward them an exceeding tenderness； as far surpassing what our father or mother has felt toward us in our helplessness as the divine is above the human。
Of Christ's relation to His people； there is a beautiful illustration in the laws given to Israel。 When through poverty a Hebrew had been forced to part with his patrimony； and to sell himself as a bondservant； the duty of redeeming him and his inheritance fell to the one who was nearest of kin。 See Lev。 25：25； 47…49； Ruth 2：20。 So the work of redeeming us and our inheritance； lost through sin； fell upon Him who is 〃near of kin〃 unto us。 It was to redeem us that He became our kinsman。 Closer than father； mother； brother； friend； or lover is the Lord our Saviour。 〃Fear not；〃 He says； 〃for I have redeemed thee； I have called thee by thy name； thou art Mine。〃 〃Since thou wast precious in My sight； thou hast been honorable； and I have loved thee： therefore will I give men fo