September 23, 1908

The Saviour's Characteristics

EGW

The plan of redemption, by which the merciful divine-human Redeemer rescued man from the thraldom of sin, is beyond the comprehension of men or of angels. It is a mystery so surpassing, so grand, so sublime, that we can never hope fully to understand it. Christ's sacrifice for fallen man has no parallel. It is the most exalted, sacred theme on which we can meditate. Every heart that is enlightened by the grace of God is constrained to bow with inexpressible gratitude and adoration before the Redeemer for His infinite sacrifice.ST September 23, 1908, par. 1

In His earthly life, Jesus of Nazareth differed from all other men. His entire life was characterized by disinterested benevolence and the beauty of holiness. In His bosom existed the purest love, free from every taint of selfishness and sin. From the beginning of His ministry, men began more clearly to comprehend the character of God.ST September 23, 1908, par. 2

Up to the time of Christ's first advent, men worshiped cruel, despotic gods. Even the Jewish mind was reached through fear rather than love. Christ's mission was to reveal to men that God is not a despot, but a Father, full of mercy and love for His children. He spoke of God by the endearing name of “Father.” In answer to the anxious questionings of Joseph and Mary, after they had found Him in the temple, He said, “Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?” He did not refer to Joseph, His earthly father. It was not Joseph's business in which He was engaged with the doctors of the law.ST September 23, 1908, par. 3

To give a true representation of the tender, loving, pitying care exercised by His Father, Jesus gave the parable of the prodigal son. Tho His children err and stray from Him, if they repent and return, He will receive them with a joy greater than the earthly parent feels in the recovery of a long-lost son. In all the sufferings and afflictions of men, there is an Eye to pity, a Heart to love. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.” God's tenderest care is exercised over us. He pities us in our weakness and in our sorrow. We may be despondent, even despairing; the heavy clouds of affliction may be over us; but there is light ahead. Beyond the gloom is a sympathetic, compassionate Friend, One who does not willingly grieve or afflict the children of men.ST September 23, 1908, par. 4

“All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” The Saviour taught this principle to make mankind happy, for in no other way can happiness come. God gives to men and women the boon of life, not merely to enable them to gain wealth and worldly advantages, but that they may improve the higher powers, by doing the work He has entrusted to mankind, the work of searching out and relieving the necessities of their fellow men. Man should not work for his own selfish interest, but for the interest of every one about him, blessing others by his influence and kindly deeds. This purpose of God is exemplified in Christ's life.ST September 23, 1908, par. 5

The Saviour declared, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” The incident of the good Samaritan is given as an illustration of our duty to those in need of sympathy and help. The Jews had been instructed by their leaders to despise the Samaritans; but Jesus showed that one of this hated class was far in advance of the priests in the performance of deeds of compassion, mercy, and benevolence. The Levites, chosen to fill sacred, holy offices among God's favored people, did not improve the opportunity. The Samaritan, scorned by priest and Levite, despised by the Jews as a member of a despised race, was pointed out by Christ as one who obeyed the law of human kindness and who showed true mercy. His compassionate act the Saviour extols, and stamps with the seal of divine approval.ST September 23, 1908, par. 6

Christ carried out in His life His own divine teachings. He was absorbed in the work He came to perform; His devotion to the work of saving the lost was manifest on all occasions. While He rebuked sin with severity, He ever showed tender love for the sinner. In Him were blended the wisdom of the serpent and the harmlessness of the dove. His zeal never led Him to become passionate. He manifested consistency without obstinacy, benevolence without weakness, tenderness and sympathy without sentimentalism. He was highly social, yet He possessed a reserved dignity that did not encourage undue familiarity. His temperance never led to bigotry or austerity. He was not conformed to this world, yet He was not indifferent to the wants of the least among men.ST September 23, 1908, par. 7

The feeding of the five thousand is an illustration of Christ's tender solicitude. The multitude, forgetting the wants of nature, had listened with deepest interest to His ministry of truth; but He, like a pitying father, was mindful of their needs. Often hungry Himself, He was awake to the necessities of others. Calling His disciples to Him, He said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with Me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.” The Saviour remembered that after His long fast in the wilderness of temptation, He had fainted, and that angels had ministered to Him. Without hesitation He wrought a miracle to feed the thousands who had followed Him in order that they might hear the gracious words proceeding from His lips.ST September 23, 1908, par. 8

The Saviour's example is to be the standard of our service for the tempted and the erring. The same interest and tenderness and long-suffering that He has manifested toward us, we are to manifest toward others. “As I have loved you,” He says, “that ye also love one another.” If Christ dwells in us, we shall reveal His unselfish love toward all with whom we have to do.ST September 23, 1908, par. 9