Sacrificial Victim, April 27

He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.—Isaiah 53:7JNN 127.1

The Son of God Himself descended from heaven in the garb of humanity that He might give power to men and women, enabling them to be partakers of the divine nature, and to escape the corruption which is in the world through lust. His long human arm encircled the race, while with His divine arm He grasped the throne of the Infinite. By living, not to please Himself, but to please His heavenly Father, by spending His life in work for others, by doing good, and seeking to save suffering humanity, Christ gave practical lessons of self-denial and self-sacrifice.JNN 127.2

But Satan, working through disobedient elements, was counterworking the work of God. By one desperate act he determined to cut off every ray of light that was shining amid the moral darkness of the world, and thus cut off the communication coming from the throne of God. He determined to defy God the Father, who sent His Son into the world. This is the heir, said the wicked husbandman; come, let us kill Him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they crucified the Lord of life and glory.JNN 127.3

Before He offered Himself as the sacrificial Victim, Christ sought for the most essential and complete gift to bestow upon the world, which would act in His place, and bring the boundless resources of grace within the reach of His followers. “I will pray the Father,” He said, “and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16, 17).JNN 127.4

The striking feature of divine operations is the accomplishment of the greatest work that can be done in our world by very simple means. It is God’s plan that every part of His government shall depend on every other part, the whole as a wheel within a wheel, working with entire harmony. He moves upon human forces, causing His Spirit to touch invisible cords, and the vibration rings to the extremity of the universe.JNN 127.5

The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.—Manuscript 22, 1897.JNN 127.6

Further Reflection: What act of self-denial or self-sacrifice will I do today?JNN 127.7