EGW
Truth in Christ and through Christ is measureless. The student of Scripture looks, as it were, into a fountain which deepens and broadens as he gazes into its depths. As he searches the Word of God, the grand theme of redemption opens to his research. What subject is so vast and mysterious as the manifestation of God's compassion for man? Herein is love, not that we loved God; for why should we not love Him? but that God loved us, sinful human beings. ST June 16, 1898, par. 1
Before Christ's advent, darkness covered the earth, and gross darkness the people. He who is the Light of the world saw that Satan was throwing his shadow athwart the pathway of men, that he might prevent them from gaining a knowledge of God and of the future world. Men were sitting in the shadow of death. The only hope for the world was for this gloom to be lifted, and God revealed to the world. A teacher from heaven must come to this earth. The Sun of Righteousness must banish the darkness. Man's necessities could be met in no other way. ST June 16, 1898, par. 2
The prophetic roll testifies of the Messenger that was to visit the earth: “Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him; He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench; He shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for His law.” “He shall not judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness shall He judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth; and He shall smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips shall He slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins.” ST June 16, 1898, par. 3
“When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son.” God could reveal Himself in no other way. The Eternal Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” ST June 16, 1898, par. 4
With mercy that is without a parallel, God strove to melt the hardened, sin-bound heart of man. His only-begotten Son, the Majesty of heaven, came to live among men. His life was far from being one of ease or pleasure. Painful toil was a part of each day's experience. Weary, hungry, sorrowful, opposed and misrepresented by His brethren, His soul acquainted with grief, He did indeed bear the yoke in His youth. No other human being was ever so weighted with responsibility. He had a mission to perform, and constantly the words were on His lips, “I will not fail nor be discouraged.” ST June 16, 1898, par. 5
“Come unto Me,” Christ cried, “all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” This is Christ's recognition of duty. What is a yoke?—That which restrains. What is a burden?—Something to be carried. Obedience and service are combined in Christ's words. ST June 16, 1898, par. 6
Many take views of life entirely opposite to Christ's teaching. They look upon a life of freedom and idleness as the happiest. But Christ acknowledges no such principle. He put His neck under the yoke of obedience; and He says to us, Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me how to obey and how to serve. In this you will find rest. ST June 16, 1898, par. 7
What is God's law?—It is the expression of His character. What is service?—The work that human beings are to do for Christ. By wearing the yoke of obedience, we may be laborers together with Him. Through perfect obedience Enoch walked with God. The life in which the mind, soul, heart, and strength are given to God forms a part of the divine plan. ST June 16, 1898, par. 8
It was the spirit of uncomplaining submission in which our Saviour did His duty that made His yoke easy and His burden light. He conformed to the law of obedience and service, and the same principle that made Him so useful everywhere, He requires His followers to obey. In this way every man must be educated before he can love God supremely and his neighbor as himself. ST June 16, 1898, par. 9
During His life on earth Christ went about doing good. His sensibilities were most acute; for in Him was all that is elevated in mind, exalted in sentiment, and fine and delicate in feeling. In His nature was seen the perfection of humanity. His sensibilities were all in continual activity. Wherever He looked, He saw work to be done. At times He suffered beyond what any language can express as He realized that unaided humanity would be extinguished. Supernaturally sustained, He endured the seeing of men for whom He gave His life, perishing within reach of abundant help. With tender longing He looked pityingly upon them, and said with quivering lips, “Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.” ST June 16, 1898, par. 10
Man's insensibility to wrong was sufficient to blunt Christ's affections. Those who were the objects of His tenderest regard requited His compassion by fixed hostility and defiance. A constant demand was made on His forbearance, a demand sufficient to drain any heart but the one replenished at the Fountain Head of compassion itself. Were it not for the hidden Source from whence Christ drew His strength, He could not have lived. But thus supplied, He failed not, neither was He discouraged. His affections languished not. Throughout His life He constantly ministered to others. After His resurrection His first work was to convince His disciples of His undiminished love and tender regard for them. To give them proof that He was their living Saviour, that He had broken the fetters of the tomb and could no longer be held by death, that He had the same heart of love as when He was with them as their teacher, He appeared to them again and again, drawing the cords of love still closer around them. ST June 16, 1898, par. 11
All that Christ suffered, He suffered for us, that His grace might lighten the load we have to carry. He looked steadfastly to His Father for strength to live a perfect life and develop a complete, symmetrical character, that He might say to every struggling soul: Fear not; for I have overcome the world. I will give you the aid of My Spirit. ST June 16, 1898, par. 12
Not in this life shall we comprehend the depths of God's love in giving Jesus to be the propitiation for our sin. The work of our Redeemer on this earth is, and ever will be, a subject that will put to the stretch our highest imagination. Man may strain every mental muscle and sinew in the endeavor to solve this mystery, but his mind will become faint and weary. The most diligent searcher will see before him a boundless, shoreless sea. ST June 16, 1898, par. 13
The truth as it is in Jesus can be experienced, but never explained. Its height, and breadth, and depth pass our knowledge. We must look to the source, in the great heart of the infinite God, our Creator. We may strain our imagination to its utmost, and then we shall only see dimly the outline of a love that is unexplainable, that is as high as heaven, but that stooped to earth to stamp the image of God on all mankind. ST June 16, 1898, par. 14
Yet it is possible for us to see all that we can bear of the divine compassion. This is unfolded to the humble, contrite soul. To be permitted to have a view of God is the highest privilege accorded to man. This privilege should be prized above all earthly distinction or honor. We shall understand God's compassion just in proportion as we appreciate His sacrifice for us. “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Mrs. E. G. White. ST June 16, 1898, par. 15