If the leaders in Israel had received Christ, He would have honored them as His messengers to carry the gospel to the world. To them first was given the opportunity to become heralds of the kingdom and grace 232 of God. But Israel knew not the time of her visitation. The jealousy and distrust of the Jewish leaders had ripened into open hatred, and the hearts of the people were turned away from Jesus.

Hvis Israels ledende mænd havde taget imod Kristus, ville han have ladet dem få den ære som hans sendebud at bringe evangeliet ud til verden. De var de første, der fik lejlighed til at blive rigets og Guds nådes forkyndere. Men Israel kendte ikke sin besøgelsestid. De jødiske lederes skinsyge og mistro havde udviklet si: til åbent had, og folkets hjerter vendte sig bort fra Jesus.