The People Who Should Have Welcomed Him
For more than a thousand years, the Jewish people had waited for the Savior’s coming. And yet, when He came, they did not know Him. They did not see any beauty in Him that was attractive to them. See Isaiah 53:2. “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” John 1:11.
HH 11.1
God had chosen Israel to preserve the symbols and prophecies that pointed to the Savior, to be like wells of salvation to the world. The Hebrew people were to reveal God among the nations. In the call of Abraham, the Lord had said, “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:3. The Lord declared through Isaiah, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” Isaiah 56:7.
HH 11.2
But Israel set their hopes on worldly greatness and followed the ways of the heathen. They did not change when God sent them warning by His prophets. They did not change when they suffered the punishment of heathen conquest and occupation. Every reformation was followed by deeper apostasy.
HH 11.3
If Israel had been true to God, He would have made them “high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor.” “The peoples who will hear all these statutes” will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Deuteronomy 26:19; 4:6.
HH 11.4
But because they were unfaithful, God could work out His plans only through trouble and affliction. They were brought to Babylon and scattered through the lands of the heathen. While they mourned for the holy temple that was destroyed, they spread a knowledge of God among the nations. Heathen systems of sacrifice were a perversion of the system God had appointed; from the Hebrews many learned the meaning of the sacrifices as God had planned them and in faith grasped the promise of a Redeemer.
HH 11.5
Many exiles lost their lives because they refused to disregard the Sabbath and observe heathen festivals. As idol worshipers were stirred up to crush out the truth, the Lord brought His servants face to face with kings and rulers so that they and their people could receive light. The greatest monarchs were led to proclaim that the God whom their Hebrew captives worshiped was supreme.
HH 11.6
During the centuries that followed the captivity in Babylon, the Israelites were cured of worshiping images, and they became convinced that their prosperity depended on obedience to the law of God. But for many of the people, the motive was selfish. They served God as the way to attain national greatness. They did not become the light of the world but shut themselves away in order to escape temptation. God had restricted their association with idol worshipers to prevent them from adopting heathen practices. But they had misinterpreted this teaching. They used it to build up a wall between Israel and other nations. The Jews were actually jealous that the Lord might show mercy to the Gentiles!
HH 11.7
1977
HH
Humble Hero
[{"para_id":"1977.2","title":"Humble Hero","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0001_eng_f_humble_hero_1977_2.mp3#duration=220&size=1823893"},{"para_id":"1977.30","title":"Christ Before Coming to Earth","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0004_eng_f_christ_before_coming_to_earth_1977_30.mp3#duration=883&size=7134257"},{"para_id":"1977.66","title":"The People Who Should Have Welcomed Him","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0008_eng_f_the_people_who_should_have_welcomed_him_1977_66.mp3#duration=368&size=3013813"},{"para_id":"1977.84","title":"Man\u2019s Sin and the \u201cFullness of the Time\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0011_eng_f_man_s_sin_and_the_fullness_of_the_time_1977_84.mp3#duration=546&size=4436478"},{"para_id":"1977.111","title":"Born in a Stable","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0015_eng_f_born_in_a_stable_1977_111.mp3#duration=464&size=3778878"},{"para_id":"1977.138","title":"Joseph and Mary Dedicate Jesus","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0017_eng_f_joseph_and_mary_dedicate_jesus_1977_138.mp3#duration=610&size=4951090"},{"para_id":"1977.172","title":"\u201cWe Have Seen His Star\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0021_eng_f_we_have_seen_his_star_1977_172.mp3#duration=706&size=5713832"},{"para_id":"1977.214","title":"The Child Jesus","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0026_eng_f_the_child_jesus_1977_214.mp3#duration=593&size=4812103"},{"para_id":"1977.245","title":"The Passover Visit","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0030_eng_f_the_passover_visit_1977_245.mp3#duration=632&size=5128018"},{"para_id":"1977.282","title":"Christ\u2019s Problems as a Child","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0033_eng_f_christ_s_problems_as_a_child_1977_282.mp3#duration=736&size=5952568"},{"para_id":"1977.319","title":"The Voice in the Wilderness","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0037_eng_f_the_voice_in_the_wilderness_1977_319.mp3#duration=1053&size=8493947"},{"para_id":"1977.373","title":"The Baptism of Jesus","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0043_eng_f_the_baptism_of_jesus_1977_373.mp3#duration=467&size=3800939"},{"para_id":"1977.398","title":"The Wilderness Temptation","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0046_eng_f_the_wilderness_temptation_1977_398.mp3#duration=921&size=7434983"},{"para_id":"1977.442","title":"The Victory","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0051_eng_f_the_victory_1977_442.mp3#duration=591&size=4796235"},{"para_id":"1977.471","title":"\u201cWe Have Found the Messiah\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0055_eng_f_we_have_found_the_messiah_1977_471.mp3#duration=1168&size=9413784"},{"para_id":"1977.536","title":"Jesus Attends a Wedding","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0061_eng_f_jesus_attends_a_wedding_1977_536.mp3#duration=857&size=6924670"},{"para_id":"1977.576","title":"Christ Confronts Corruption in the Temple","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0064_eng_f_christ_confronts_corruption_in_the_temple_1977_576.mp3#duration=1303&size=10491919"},{"para_id":"1977.632","title":"Nicodemus Comes to Jesus at Night","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0069_eng_f_nicodemus_comes_to_jesus_at_night_1977_632.mp3#duration=1004&size=8099450"},{"para_id":"1977.674","title":"\u201cHe Must Increase, But I Must Decrease\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0072_eng_f_he_must_increase_but_i_must_decrease_1977_674.mp3#duration=386&size=3155234"},{"para_id":"1977.693","title":"Jesus and the Woman With Five Husbands","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0074_eng_f_jesus_and_the_woman_with_five_husbands_1977_693.mp3#duration=1091&size=8798280"},{"para_id":"1977.750","title":"\u201cUnless You See Signs and Wonders\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0079_eng_f_unless_you_see_signs_and_wonders_1977_750.mp3#duration=393&size=3209355"},{"para_id":"1977.771","title":"Bethesda and the Sanhedrin","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0080_eng_f_bethesda_and_the_sanhedrin_1977_771.mp3#duration=1356&size=10920278"},{"para_id":"1977.835","title":"The Imprisonment and Death of John","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0087_eng_f_the_imprisonment_and_death_of_john_1977_835.mp3#duration=1144&size=9224354"},{"para_id":"1977.888","title":"How Daniel Identified Jesus as the Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0093_eng_f_how_daniel_identified_jesus_as_the_christ_1977_888.mp3#duration=519&size=4222469"},{"para_id":"1977.913","title":"\u201cIs Not This the Carpenter\u2019s Son?\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0095_eng_f_is_not_this_the_carpenter_s_son_1977_913.mp3#duration=675&size=5467510"},{"para_id":"1977.943","title":"The Call by the Sea","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0097_eng_f_the_call_by_the_sea_1977_943.mp3#duration=642&size=5201149"},{"para_id":"1977.971","title":"Busy and Happy Days at Capernaum","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0101_eng_f_busy_and_happy_days_at_capernaum_1977_971.mp3#duration=1076&size=8675360"},{"para_id":"1977.1019","title":"The First Leper to Be Cleansed by Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0105_eng_f_the_first_leper_to_be_cleansed_by_christ_1977_1019.mp3#duration=994&size=8022280"},{"para_id":"1977.1066","title":"Matthew: From Tax Collector to Apostle","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0109_eng_f_matthew_from_tax_collector_to_apostle_1977_1066.mp3#duration=1000&size=8073009"},{"para_id":"1977.1112","title":"Jesus Rescues the Sabbath","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0115_eng_f_jesus_rescues_the_sabbath_1977_1112.mp3#duration=923&size=7452072"},{"para_id":"1977.1152","title":"Christ Ordains Twelve Apostles","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0120_eng_f_christ_ordains_twelve_apostles_1977_1152.mp3#duration=741&size=5998470"},{"para_id":"1977.1187","title":"The Sermon on the Mount","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0124_eng_f_the_sermon_on_the_mount_1977_1187.mp3#duration=1481&size=11919814"},{"para_id":"1977.1256","title":"An Army Officer Asks Help for His Servant","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0131_eng_f_an_army_officer_asks_help_for_his_servant_1977_1256.mp3#duration=517&size=4206909"},{"para_id":"1977.1282","title":"How Jesus Related to Family Problems","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0133_eng_f_how_jesus_related_to_family_problems_1977_1282.mp3#duration=747&size=6048270"},{"para_id":"1977.1314","title":"His Yoke Is Easy and His Burden Light","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0136_eng_f_his_yoke_is_easy_and_his_burden_light_1977_1314.mp3#duration=499&size=4060360"},{"para_id":"1977.1338","title":"The Stilling of the Storm","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0139_eng_f_the_stilling_of_the_storm_1977_1338.mp3#duration=932&size=7525311"},{"para_id":"1977.1384","title":"The Touch of Faith Brings Healing","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0142_eng_f_the_touch_of_faith_brings_healing_1977_1384.mp3#duration=465&size=3785395"},{"para_id":"1977.1406","title":"The First Evangelists","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0144_eng_f_the_first_evangelists_1977_1406.mp3#duration=813&size=6572895"},{"para_id":"1977.1441","title":"Christ and the Twelve Take a Vacation","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0147_eng_f_christ_and_the_twelve_take_a_vacation_1977_1441.mp3#duration=512&size=4166939"},{"para_id":"1977.1466","title":"\u201cYou Give Them Something to Eat\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0150_eng_f_you_give_them_something_to_eat_1977_1466.mp3#duration=658&size=5330799"},{"para_id":"1977.1494","title":"A Night on the Lake","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0153_eng_f_a_night_on_the_lake_1977_1494.mp3#duration=607&size=4927811"},{"para_id":"1977.1525","title":"The Crisis in Galilee","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0156_eng_f_the_crisis_in_galilee_1977_1525.mp3#duration=1337&size=10763477"},{"para_id":"1977.1591","title":"Christ Foretells a Great Uprooting","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0163_eng_f_christ_foretells_a_great_uprooting_1977_1591.mp3#duration=353&size=2895616"},{"para_id":"1977.1608","title":"Christ Breaks Down Racial Barriers","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0165_eng_f_christ_breaks_down_racial_barriers_1977_1608.mp3#duration=523&size=4252307"},{"para_id":"1977.1631","title":"The True Sign","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0167_eng_f_the_true_sign_1977_1631.mp3#duration=677&size=5485363"},{"para_id":"1977.1660","title":"The Foreshadowing of the Cross","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0171_eng_f_the_foreshadowing_of_the_cross_1977_1660.mp3#duration=1138&size=9173538"},{"para_id":"1977.1709","title":"Jesus Transfigured","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0175_eng_f_jesus_transfigured_1977_1709.mp3#duration=486&size=3953506"},{"para_id":"1977.1729","title":"A Battle With Satan\u2019s Spirits","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0177_eng_f_a_battle_with_satan_s_spirits_1977_1729.mp3#duration=529&size=4303608"},{"para_id":"1977.1754","title":"Who Is the Greatest?","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0179_eng_f_who_is_the_greatest_1977_1754.mp3#duration=1121&size=9036754"},{"para_id":"1977.1799","title":"\u201cIf Anyone Thirsts, Let Him Come!\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0183_eng_f_if_anyone_thirsts_let_him_come_1977_1799.mp3#duration=678&size=5492597"},{"para_id":"1977.1831","title":"Among Snares","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0186_eng_f_among_snares_1977_1831.mp3#duration=834&size=6744505"},{"para_id":"1977.1872","title":"\u201cThe Light of Life\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0190_eng_f_the_light_of_life_1977_1872.mp3#duration=1335&size=10748075"},{"para_id":"1977.1936","title":"The Divine Shepherd","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0196_eng_f_the_divine_shepherd_1977_1936.mp3#duration=589&size=4781683"},{"para_id":"1977.1964","title":"The Last Journey From Galilee","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0200_eng_f_the_last_journey_from_galilee_1977_1964.mp3#duration=876&size=7079623"},{"para_id":"1977.2005","title":"The Good Samaritan","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0204_eng_f_the_good_samaritan_1977_2005.mp3#duration=546&size=4438487"},{"para_id":"1977.2032","title":"Not With Outward Show","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0206_eng_f_not_with_outward_show_1977_2032.mp3#duration=383&size=3134156"},{"para_id":"1977.2047","title":"Jesus\u2019 Love for Children","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0207_eng_f_jesus_love_for_children_1977_2047.mp3#duration=499&size=4061605"},{"para_id":"1977.2072","title":"The Rich Young Ruler Lacked One Thing","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0209_eng_f_the_rich_young_ruler_lacked_one_thing_1977_2072.mp3#duration=465&size=3785552"},{"para_id":"1977.2096","title":"The Raising of Lazarus","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0211_eng_f_the_raising_of_lazarus_1977_2096.mp3#duration=1180&size=9511292"},{"para_id":"1977.2145","title":"Priests and Rulers Continue Plotting","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0212_eng_f_priests_and_rulers_continue_plotting_1977_2145.mp3#duration=457&size=3722862"},{"para_id":"1977.2166","title":"What Is the Highest Position?","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0214_eng_f_what_is_the_highest_position_1977_2166.mp3#duration=457&size=3728176"},{"para_id":"1977.2193","title":"The Little Man Who Became Important","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0216_eng_f_the_little_man_who_became_important_1977_2193.mp3#duration=441&size=3593502"},{"para_id":"1977.2213","title":"Mary Anoints Jesus","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0217_eng_f_mary_anoints_jesus_1977_2213.mp3#duration=1197&size=9647426"},{"para_id":"1977.2272","title":"Jesus Acclaimed as Israel\u2019s King","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0224_eng_f_jesus_acclaimed_as_israel_s_king_1977_2272.mp3#duration=963&size=7775262"},{"para_id":"1977.2320","title":"A Doomed People","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0228_eng_f_a_doomed_people_1977_2320.mp3#duration=679&size=5500095"},{"para_id":"1977.2354","title":"The Temple Cleansed Again","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0230_eng_f_the_temple_cleansed_again_1977_2354.mp3#duration=1306&size=10520861"},{"para_id":"1977.2422","title":"Christ Confounds His Enemies","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0234_eng_f_christ_confounds_his_enemies_1977_2422.mp3#duration=732&size=5926630"},{"para_id":"1977.2459","title":"Jesus\u2019 Last Visit to the Temple","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0237_eng_f_jesus_last_visit_to_the_temple_1977_2459.mp3#duration=1114&size=8980344"},{"para_id":"1977.2505","title":"When the Greeks Wished to \u201cSee Jesus\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0239_eng_f_when_the_greeks_wished_to_see_jesus_1977_2505.mp3#duration=675&size=5466793"},{"para_id":"1977.2535","title":"Signs of the Second Coming of Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0241_eng_f_signs_of_the_second_coming_of_christ_1977_2535.mp3#duration=1093&size=8814522"},{"para_id":"1977.2576","title":"Christ Identifies With the Poor and Suffering","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0246_eng_f_christ_identifies_with_the_poor_and_suffering_1977_2576.mp3#duration=534&size=4340716"},{"para_id":"1977.2598","title":"A Servant of Servants","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0248_eng_f_a_servant_of_servants_1977_2598.mp3#duration=884&size=7138129"},{"para_id":"1977.2636","title":"The Lord\u2019s Supper Instituted","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0251_eng_f_the_lord_s_supper_instituted_1977_2636.mp3#duration=927&size=7487819"},{"para_id":"1977.2670","title":"\u201cLet Not Your Heart Be Troubled\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0254_eng_f_let_not_your_heart_be_troubled_1977_2670.mp3#duration=1794&size=14425388"},{"para_id":"1977.2744","title":"The Awesome Struggle in Gethsemane","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0259_eng_f_the_awesome_struggle_in_gethsemane_1977_2744.mp3#duration=1037&size=8365729"},{"para_id":"1977.2792","title":"The Illegal Trial of Jesus","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0264_eng_f_the_illegal_trial_of_jesus_1977_2792.mp3#duration=1468&size=11815435"},{"para_id":"1977.2859","title":"How Judas Lost His Soul","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0270_eng_f_how_judas_lost_his_soul_1977_2859.mp3#duration=673&size=5452349"},{"para_id":"1977.2895","title":"Christ\u2019s Trial Before the Roman Governor","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0274_eng_f_christ_s_trial_before_the_roman_governor_1977_2895.mp3#duration=1826&size=14681114"},{"para_id":"1977.2981","title":"Jesus Dies on Calvary","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0282_eng_f_jesus_dies_on_calvary_1977_2981.mp3#duration=1554&size=12503176"},{"para_id":"1977.3056","title":"How Christ\u2019s Death Defeated Satan","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0289_eng_f_how_christ_s_death_defeated_satan_1977_3056.mp3#duration=839&size=6784027"},{"para_id":"1977.3097","title":"Jesus Rests in Joseph\u2019s Tomb","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0293_eng_f_jesus_rests_in_joseph_s_tomb_1977_3097.mp3#duration=1093&size=8816919"},{"para_id":"1977.3142","title":"\u201cThe Lord Is Risen\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0297_eng_f_the_lord_is_risen_1977_3142.mp3#duration=570&size=4629661"},{"para_id":"1977.3168","title":"\u201cWoman, Why Are You Weeping?\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0301_eng_f_woman_why_are_you_weeping_1977_3168.mp3#duration=580&size=4708140"},{"para_id":"1977.3196","title":"The Walk to Emmaus","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0302_eng_f_the_walk_to_emmaus_1977_3196.mp3#duration=462&size=3761398"},{"para_id":"1977.3219","title":"The Resurrected Christ Appears","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0305_eng_f_the_resurrected_christ_appears_1977_3219.mp3#duration=582&size=4722191"},{"para_id":"1977.3243","title":"By the Sea Once More","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0308_eng_f_by_the_sea_once_more_1977_3243.mp3#duration=698&size=5650509"},{"para_id":"1977.3279","title":"\u201cGo ... Teach All Nations\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0311_eng_f_go_teach_all_nations_1977_3279.mp3#duration=869&size=7017816"},{"para_id":"1977.3323","title":"Christ\u2019s Triumphal Entry Into Heaven","mp3":"\/mp3\/1977\/0316_eng_f_christ_s_triumphal_entry_into_heaven_1977_3323.mp3#duration=606&size=4917276"}]