Walking and Working With Jesus
Jesus did not consider heaven a place to be desired while we were lost. He left the heavenly courts for a life of reproach and insult and a death of shame. He who was rich in heaven’s priceless treasure became poor, that through His poverty we might be rich. We are to follow in the path that He walked.MHH 49.3
Everyone who becomes a child of God should henceforth look upon himself or herself as a link in the chain let down to save the world, one with Christ in His plan of mercy, going forth with Him to seek and save the lost.MHH 49.4
Many feel that it would be a great privilege to visit the scenes of Christ’s life on earth, to walk where He walked, to look upon the lake and its shorelines where He loved to teach, and the hills and valleys on which His eyes so often rested. But we need not go to Nazareth, to Capernaum, or to Bethany to walk in the steps of Jesus. We shall find His footprints beside the sickbed, in the homes of the poor, in the crowded streets of the great cities, and in every place where there are human hearts in need of consolation.MHH 49.5
We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the suffering and afflicted. We are to minister to the despairing and inspire hope in the hopeless.MHH 49.6
The love of Christ, manifested in unselfish ministry, will be more effective in reforming criminals than will the night stick or the court of justice. These are necessary to strike terror to the lawbreaker, but loving missionaries can do more than this. Often the heart that hardens under reproof will melt under the love of Christ.MHH 49.7
Missionaries can not only relieve physical illnesses, they can lead sinners to the Great Physician, who can cleanse the soul from the leprosy of sin. Through His servants, God designs that the sick, the unfortunate, and those possessed of evil spirits shall hear His voice. Through His human agencies He desires to be a comforter such as the world knows not.MHH 50.1
The Savior has given His precious life in order to establish a church capable of ministering to the suffering, the sorrowful, and the tempted. A company of believers may be poor, uneducated, and unknown, yet in Christ they may do a work in the home, in the community, and even in “the regions beyond,” whose results shall be as far-reaching as eternity.MHH 50.2
To Christ’s followers today, no less than to the first disciples, these words are spoken: “‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations.’” “‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’” Matthew 28:18, 19; Mark 16:15.MHH 50.3
And for us also is the promise of His presence, “‘Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:20.MHH 50.4
Today no curious multitudes flock to the desert to see and hear Christ. His voice is not heard in the busy streets. No cry sounds from the wayside, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” Luke 18:37. Yet this word is true today. Christ walks unseen through our streets. He comes to our homes with messages of mercy. He waits to cooperate with all who are seeking to minister in His name. He is in the midst of us, to heal and to bless, if we will receive Him.MHH 50.5
“How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns! ...’
Break forth into joy, sing together,
You waste places. ...
For the Lord has comforted His people. ...
The Lord has made bare His holy arm
In the eyes of all the nations;
And all the ends of the earth shall see
The salvation of our God.”
Isaiah 52:7, 9, 10. See also Isaiah 49:8, 9.MHH 50.6