RELIEF FROM SUFFERING

Jesus began His work by destroying Satan's power to make people suffer. Jesus made people well. He gave sight to the blind. He healed the lame, causing them to jump for joy and to praise God. Jesus gave health to weak people who had been under Satan's cruel power for many years.SRme 1.892

With kind, gentle words Jesus comforted the sick, the trembling, and people who were discouraged. Jesus took away Satan's control over weak and suffering people. Jesus gave the people healthy bodies and great happiness. When Jesus gave life to the dead, they praised God for showing His power. Jesus worked mightily for everyone who believed on Him.SRme 1.893

Jesus' life was filled with words and acts of kindness, sympathy, and love. Jesus listened to the problems of people who came to Him. He took away their troubles. Great numbers of people carried proof in their own bodies of Jesus' divine power.SRme 1.894

But after Jesus had helped and healed them, many people were ashamed of the humble but mighty Preacher. People refused to accept Jesus because the rulers did not believe in Him.SRme 1.895

Jesus was a man of much sadness. He suffered pain and heartache. Many people could not bear to follow Jesus' example of a serious, unselfish life. They wished to enjoy worldly honor. But many people did follow Jesus and listen to His teachings that were full of meaning. Jesus' words were so clear that the educated and the uneducated people could understand Him.SRme 1.896

Satan and his angels blinded the eyes of the Jews and darkened their understanding of Jesus. Satan and his angels led the leaders and rulers to decide to kill the Saviour. The rulers sent soldiers to bring Jesus to them. When these soldiers came near Jesus, they were greatly amazed. They saw Jesus' sympathy and pity toward human suffering. They heard Jesus speak loving, encouraging words to weak, sick people. They heard Him speak with authority, expressing disapproval of Satan's power. They heard Jesus command Satan to free captive people from Satan's power. As the soldiers listened, they accepted Jesus because of His words of wisdom. The soldiers would not put their hands on Jesus to take Him prisoner. They returned to the priests and elders without Jesus.SRme 1.897

When the soldiers were asked, "Why have you not brought Jesus?" the soldiers told of the miracles they had seen. The soldiers told of Jesus' holy words of wisdom, love, and knowledge. They replied, "No man has ever talked the way this Man talks."SRme 1.898

The chief priests said Jesus deceived the soldiers. The priests asked in a scornful way if any of the rulers believed in Jesus. Some of the soldiers became ashamed that they had not taken Jesus. I [Ellen White] saw that many of the rulers and priests did believe in Jesus. But Satan kept the rulers from letting anyone know they believed in Jesus. The rulers and other officials feared the people more than they feared God.SRme 1.899

All of Satan's deceitful efforts and hatred had not destroyed the plan of salvation. The time was near for the Saviour to finish His mission on earth. Satan and his angels counseled together about how to keep Jesus from finishing the work He had come to do. They decided to encourage the Jews to shout eagerly that they wanted Jesus to be killed. They would influence the Jewish people and Roman soldiers to treat Jesus cruelly and to ridicule Him. Satan and his angels hoped that Jesus would get angry because of the insults and not remain humble and gentle.SRme 1.900

While Satan was making his plans, Jesus carefully told His disciples that He would suffer and be crucified. Jesus told the disciples He would rise again the third day. But the disciples did not understand nor realize fully what Jesus was telling them.SRme 1.901