Tuesday. [Acts 12:25–13:12; John 8:51–59]

   The Jews became angry with the Lord because of His accusation, and picked up stones to cast at Him. But the Lord went through the midst of them, and so passed by (John 8:59). They did nothing to the Lord, but they destroyed themselves, for the consequence of their unbelief was the terrible sentence of the Lord: Behold, your house is left unto you desolate (Matt. 23:38) and also: let us pass from here. And the Lord passed to another place and chose other peoples for His habitation, instead of the beloved Israel. Even now, insignificant people, in the self-delusion of a proud mind which does not contain the truth of Christ, take up stones of opposition to the Lord and cast them at Him. They do not harm Him, because He nevertheless is the Lord, and His truth is the immutable truth; they only destroy themselves. The Lord goes by, leaving such people in their vain wisdom, which whirls them, like a whirlwind spins loose specks of dust. But when an entire nation is carried away with false wisdom, then the destiny of an entire nation is formed, as it was for the Jews. Understand, ye nations, and submit to the Lord!