December 29, 1898

One That Is Mighty

EGW

The sincere Christian may grieve as he sees the havoc that sin has wrought: but only in a limited sense can human beings understand Christ's sadness as he looks upon the sin that exists in the human heart; only in a limited sense can man sympathize with suffering humanity.YI December 29, 1898, par. 1

Christ alone was able to bear the afflictions of all the human family. “In all their affliction he was afflicted.” He never bore disease in his own flesh; but he carried the sickness of others. When suffering humanity pressed about him, he who was in the health of perfect manhood was as one afflicted with them. With tenderest sympathy, he looked upon the suffering ones. He groaned in spirit as he saw the work of Satan revealed in all their woe, and he made every case of need and of sorrow his own. Numbers did not distract him; anguish did not overwhelm him. Though the pain of the sufferers thrilled through his whole being, yet with a power that never quailed, he cast out the evil spirits that possessed both mind and body.YI December 29, 1898, par. 2

The power of love was in all his healing. He identified himself with suffering humanity. Of the suffering multitudes who were brought to Christ it is said, “He healed them all.”YI December 29, 1898, par. 3

When the poor, suffering paralytic was brought to the Saviour, Christ understood his condition perfectly. He knew that this wretched man had a disease of the soul far worse than bodily suffering. He knew that the greatest burden he had borne for months was on account of sin. The crowd of people around waited, in almost breathless silence, to see how Christ would treat this apparently hopeless case; and they were astonished to hear the words fall from his lips, “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.”YI December 29, 1898, par. 4

These were the most precious words that could fall upon the ears of that sick sufferer; for the burden of sin had lain so heavily upon him that he could not find the least relief. Christ lifted the burden that had oppressed him: “Be of good cheer,” I, your Saviour, came to forgive sins. How quickly the pallid countenance of the sufferer changes! Hope takes the place of dark despair, and peace and joy take the place of distressing doubt and gloom. The mind being restored to peace and happiness, the suffering body can now be reached.YI December 29, 1898, par. 5

Next comes from the divine lips the command: “Arise, take up thy bed, and go to thine house.” In the effort to obey the will, those helpless, bloodless arms are quickened; a healthy current of blood flows through the veins; the leaden color of his flesh disappears, and the ruddy glow of health takes its place. The limbs, which for long years have refused to obey the will, are now quickened to life; and the healed paralytic grasps his bed, and walks through the crowd to his home.YI December 29, 1898, par. 6

Christ was health and strength in himself; and when sufferers were in his immediate presence, disease was always rebuked. It was for this reason that he did not go at once to Lazarus when the message came, “He whom thou lovest is sick.” He could not witness suffering, and not bring relief. He could not look upon disease or death without combating the power of Satan. The death of Lazarus was permitted that, through his resurrection, the last and crowning evidence might be given to the Jews that Jesus was the Son of God.YI December 29, 1898, par. 7

Christ was strong to save the whole world. He wanted all. He could not endure the thought that one should be lost. He wept at the grave of Lazarus, that he could not save every one whom Satan's power had laid low in death. He had given himself a ransom for many, even all who would avail themselves of the privilege of coming back to their loyalty to God. John, pointing to him, had said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”YI December 29, 1898, par. 8

And in all this conflict with the powers of evil, there was ever before Christ the darkened shadow into which he himself must enter. Ever before him was the price which he must pay for the ransom of these souls. As he witnessed the sufferings of the human race, he knew that he must bear a greater pain, mingled with mockery; that he must suffer the greatest humiliation. When he raised Lazarus from the dead, he knew that for that life he must pay the ransom on the cross of Calvary. Every rescue made was to cause him the deepest humiliation. He was to taste death for every man.YI December 29, 1898, par. 9

In his life on earth, Christ developed a perfect character, he rendered perfect obedience to his Father's commandments. In coming to the world in human form, in becoming subject to the law, in revealing to men that he bore their sickness, their sorrow, their guilt, he did not become a sinner. Before the Pharisees he could say, “Which of you convinceth me of sin?” Not one stain of sin was found upon him. He stood before the world the spotless Lamb of God.YI December 29, 1898, par. 10

From the light of his exalted purity, the world's Redeemer could see that the maladies from which the human family were suffering were brought upon them by transgression of the law of God. Every case of suffering he could trace back to its source. In every case he read the sad and awful end of unrepenting sinners. He knew that he alone could rescue them from the pit into which they had fallen. He alone could place their feet in the right path; his perfection alone could avail for their imperfection. He alone could cover their nakedness with his spotless robe of righteousness.YI December 29, 1898, par. 11

Had all who claim to believe in Christ followed his example, what a different aspect would our world present today! This work has been neglected by the church; she has been remiss in following Christ in self-denial and self-sacrifice. She has not reached down to the depths of misery into which Satan has dragged those who have listened to his temptations; but we thank God that there is an opportunity to redeem the time, to bear the message of mercy to the highways and the hedges. The world's Redeemer is still the world's Restorer. Today Christ is feeling the woes of every sufferer. When the evil spirit rends the suffering frame, the Saviour feels its curse. When fever is burning up the life-current, he experiences the agony as if it were his own. And he is strong to deliver. Help has been laid on one that is mighty. He encircles man with his long human arm, while with his divine arm he lays hold of Omnipotence. He who created man knows just how to rid the human machinery of the clogs that have weakened the action of nerve, brain, bone, and muscle, and poisoned the life-current of the body. He knows how to speak the word, “Be whole,” and bid the sufferer, “Go, and sin no more.”YI December 29, 1898, par. 12

His last injunction to his followers, his representatives upon the earth, was to lay hands on the sick, that they might recover. When the Master shall come again, he will commend those who have visited the sick, and relieved the necessities of the afflicted.YI December 29, 1898, par. 13

Mrs. E. G. White