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Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred’s

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 26, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 26.

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Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred’s

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle
O indeed, I suppose it is all true, my child,” admitted Mrs. Field, blushing.
“Then why didn’t you tell us, mother? Why didn’t you teach us to study the Bible? It’s so wonderful. We didn’t know it was so interesting. Why, it’s more so than any of our story books; isn’t it Mildred?” concluded Blanche enthusiastically.
“We think it is, don’t we mama?” chimed in little Margaret, opening her blue eyes wide at the thought that any one had lived to grow up with no knowledge of the good Book.
“The fact is,” explained Mrs. Field, “I was not brought up to study the Bible when I was young. Indeed, I am very ignorant of its teaching to-day. But I have been much surprised already to find that there are prophecies of both Jesus Christ and John the Baptist, which were written hundreds of years before their birth. Still, Mr. Eldred, don’t you think it quite sufficient to look upon Jesus Christ as a great prophet and teacher?”
“John 3:16 will answer you better than I could possibly do, Mrs. Field,” replied Brother Eldred. “Will you kindly turn and read?”
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
A tear shone in Mrs. Field’s eyes, and she sighed as she said, “It is very hard to forget one’s early training,—or rather, lack of it,—don’t you think so? and for that very reason I would be glad for my daughters to get a good understanding of what the Bible teaches, that they may be able to judge intelligently when they are older.”
“A very good idea, indeed,” agreed Sister Eldred, while her husband continued:
“Before John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod, and while he was still preaching in the wilderness of Judea, near the Jordan, who came to him for baptism? Alice, please read Mark 1:9.”
“And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.”
“Really,” objected Mrs. Field, “if, as you say, the Christ was absolutely sinless, why did He request baptism?”
“That is much the same line of reasoning that the Baptist followed, but Jesus assured him that ‘thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness,’ and in submitting to this rite, He became a perfect Pattern for us. Meanwhile,” continued Brother Eldred, “certain of the people, knowing that the time had come for the Messiah to appear, had entertained some hopes that the wilderness prophet might be the long-expected Shiloh. But what did John himself say on the subject, Miss Blanche? Mark 1:7, 8.”
Alice quickly handed Blanche her Bible, pointing to the reference, with the tactful remark that it was always hard for her to find the place in any one else’s book.
“‘And preached, saying, There cometh One mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water; but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.’”
“After the baptism of Jesus, what wonderful event occurred, Tillie? Read Mark 1:10.”
“‘And straightway coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon Him; and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”
“What period had now ended, Tillie?”
“The sixty-nine prophetic weeks of Daniel. It had been just 483 years since the going forth of the command to rebuild Jerusalem; and now the Lord God takes the pains to tell the world that the Messiah has come, as He had promised so long before, so that there need be no mistake. And the next day after he had baptized Jesus, John saw Him coming, and cried out, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ So that the world had an introduction to the Redeemer not only from God Himself, but by His prophet as well. Really, Mildred, don’t you think it wonderful?”
“Indeed I do,” replied her friend, “and so interesting as well. But all this seems very new to us, I assure you.”
“But do you not think, Mr. Eldred, that it might have been possible, since Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins, that this was all planned between them in some way,—I mean that John might have agreed to announce Him as the Messiah?” objected Mrs. Field. “Mind, I don’t say I believe this to be so, I only ask your opinion.”
“My opinion is no better than yours, Mrs. Field; but we read that John was in the wilderness of Judea until the day of his showing unto Israel (Luke 1:80), while Jesus dwelt in Nazareth, many miles distant. Besides, John directly asserts twice (John 1:31, 33) that he did not even know Him until the Holy Spirit revealed the truth to him in this miraculous manner.”
“I think your point is very well supported, indeed,” said Mrs. Field.
“What wonderful experience awaited Jesus directly after His baptism? Will Mrs. Field please read Mark 1:12, 13?”
“‘And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto Him.’”
“I believe Jack has learned a few verses, father,” said Sister Eldred. “Suppose we listen to them now.”
And Jack repeated:

Baptism of Jesus.

At last the appointed hour has come; Christ bows ’neath Jordan’s swelling wave; The mighty Baptist leads Him forth Triumphant from that watery grave.
And from the heavens, serene and blue, While wondering souls with awe are stirred, A dove-like form appears in view, Th’ Eternal Father’s voice is heard:
“Lo, this is My Beloved Son,— The Prince of Peace, th’ Anointed One!” O holy hour! O sacred spot! And yet, and yet, they knew Him not.
And now the Spirit leads Him far From busy haunts of life away. Where glooming shades of darkness are, ’Mong fierce and angry beasts of prey; The Holy Spirit bids Him go To wrestle with the wily foe.
There, in that wilderness alone, With fainting form and pallid face, Grievous temptations fierce and strong He suffers, for our fallen race.
But with the Spirit’s mighty sword, The prince of hell is put to flight; The strength of the Eternal Word Has conquered in Jehovah’s might.
O tempted heart! when sorely tried Amid life’s desert drear and broad, When hope and strength and courage fail, Look up, and put thy trust in God. He will not fail thee; He who bore Temptations fierce and long for thee, Who in the wilderness prevailed, Will give thee strength and victory.
“You did very well indeed, my boy,” said his father encouragingly. “But we will now close our evening’s study. Next Friday eve we will try to learn something about the nature and history of Satan, the mighty foe who so cruelly tempted our Saviour.”
(To be Continued.)