The Social Relationship by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 16, 1913

The Social Relationship

By F. M. W.

Christian Recreation—No. 1

In the creation of the myriad forms of life which people this earth, only man was made in the image of God. Upon him alone was bestowed the power of speech. He alone was made capable of understanding and appreciating the handiwork of his Maker. He was created a social being, and one suited to his companionship was made to stand by his side. With this holy pair the angels of God held holy converse, and gave to them a knowledge of the plans and purposes of the Most High. Their lives were not to be of unceasing toil on one hand, nor a purposeless existence on the other. Definite labor was assigned them. They were given dominion over the material creation. They were to multiply and fill the earth, and subdue it; and as a model of the transformation which they were to effect in the material earth, there was given them by their Creator the garden of Eden as a home. Seasons were afforded for rest and recreation. “A portion of their time was to be occupied in the happy employment of dressing the garden, and a portion in receiving the visits of angels, listening to their instruction, and in happy meditation.” In this provision they found cultivation for their physical, mental, and spiritual powers.

“Come Ye Yourselves Apart . . . and Rest Awhile”

In this plan of God for our first parents is seen his design for the human family. Time and opportunity must be afforded for the development of the physical powers of the body, the qualities of the mind, the attributes of the soul. Our Saviour recognized this divine provision as manifested in his care for his disciples. His public ministry was one of earnest toil, but from time to time he withdrew from the exacting scenes of labor, and with his disciples sought in quietness and seclusion that spiritual refreshing, that rest of body and mind, which were essential to their welfare. An example of this is recorded in the gospel according to Mark. The disciples had been engaged in earnest labor, scattered two and two throughout the cities of Galilee. They returned to the Lord, worn and weary. Into his sympathetic ear they poured a recital of their trials and difficulties. He recognized their need of rest; “and he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.”

Such seasons of refreshing the disciples of the Lord need today. In peace and quietness, alone with nature and with nature’s God, they need to seek the rest and refreshing, the time for meditation and prayer, that Christ and his disciples sought on this and similar occasions.

The Social Relationship

Christ recognized also the rest and recreation afforded in variety of labor, in visiting the people in their homes, in mingling with them at the social gathering. He did not confine his effort to the public presentation of the word of truth. He sought to reach men not only in public discourse, but through personal effort. In the busy marketplace, in the palace of the rich, by the bedside of the sick and suffering, among the poor and lowly, by the festal board, in every place and under every circumstance, Christ magnified his high and exalted position as the Saviour of men. In this he set an example for his followers in every age of the church.

Christ extended and accepted hospitality. To the two disciples who inquired, “Rabbi, . . . where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day.” He not only ministered to the spiritual needs of the people, but by his own divine power provided the food for their physical necessities. With his own hands he broke the bread for the hungry multitude. The generous nature of Christ is further manifested in his appreciation of the hospitality of others. He accepted the invitation to the marriage in Cana of Galilee. John 2:1-11. He was the guest of honor at the dinner provided by Simon, whom he had healed of leprosy. Luke 7:36-50.

In these pleasant social gatherings, in the friendly converse, in the free commingling with his fellows, the Saviour took pleasure. It afforded him relief and relaxation from his strenuous life of public labor and service.

The Object of Christ in Attending Social Gatherings

What object had the Lord in attending these gatherings, and in what manner did he relate himself to them in the accomplishment of his mission as the Saviour of men?

The special object of Jesus in attending this marriage feast [at Cana] was to commence the work of breaking down the exclusiveness which existed with the Jewish people, and to open the way for their freer mingling with the people. He had come not only as the Messiah of the Jews, but the Redeemer of the world.—“Spirit of Prophecy,” Vol. II, page 107.

Christ accepted the hospitality of Simon for the same reason. He saw there an opportunity to present to the people gathered on that occasion the saving truth of God. The gathering itself was a notable demonstration of the work of the Master. “The Saviour sat at the table with Simon, whom he had cured of a loathsome disease, on one side, and Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead, on the other.”—Id., page 375. Mary, who on this occasion anointed the head and feet of the Master with the precious ointment, was another living example of his mighty power to set individuals free from the bondage of Satan.

An Example to the Church

In his association with the people, not only at social gatherings, but in laboring for them in their homes, Christ gave an example to his followers in every age:— Here is a lesson for the disciples of Christ through all time, not to exclude themselves from society, renouncing all

social communion and seeking a strict seclusion from their fellow beings. In order to reach all classes, we must meet them where they are; for they will seldom seek us of their own accord. Not alone from the pulpit are the hearts of men and women touched by divine truth. Christ awakened their interest by going among them as one who desired their good. He sought them at their daily avocations, and manifested an unfeigned interest in their temporal affairs. He carried his instruction into the households of the people, bringing whole families in their own homes under the influence of his divine presence. His strong personal sympathies helped to win hearts to his cause.

This example of the great Master should be closely followed by his servants. However instructive and profitable may be their public discourses, they should remember there is another field of action, humbler it may be, but full as promising of abundant harvests. It is found in the lowly walks of life, as well as the more pretentious mansions of the great, at the board of hospitality and gatherings for innocent social enjoyment.—Id., page 106.

Christ’s Personal Relationship

When we recognize the purpose for which Christ took part in this association with the people, it is hardly necessary to consider the spirit with which he related himself to them and to the occasion. His influence was ennobling and uplifting. Equally on these occasions as when presenting the word of truth to the eager multitude, he stood as the Saviour of men, and by no word or act did he lower the dignity and standard of his high and holy calling.

Unlike the Pharisees and other dignitaries who preserved an austere seclusion, he had joined the mixed assembly of a festal gathering, and, while no shadow of worldly levity marred his conduct, he had sanctioned the social gathering with his presence.—Id.

Jesus rebuked intemperance, self-indulgence, and folly; yet he was social in his nature. He accepted invitations to dine with the learned and noble, as well as the poor and afflicted. On these occasions, his conversation was elevating and instructive, holding his hearers entranced. He gave no license to scenes of dissipation and revelry, yet innocent happiness was pleasing to him. A Jewish marriage was a solemn and impressive occasion, the pleasure and joy of which were not displeasing to the Son of man.—Id., page 109.

The Church in the World

Christ has set his church in the world as a savor of life. In the fulfilment of their high and holy calling, his disciples cannot become recluses. In order to reach souls they must mingle with their fellows. The purpose of this association is not that the disciple may find selfish pleasure, but in order that he may reach men where they are, and improve every opportunity to represent his blessed Master.

As disciples of Christ we shall not mingle with the world from a mere love of pleasure, to unite with them in folly. Such associations can result only in harm. We should never give sanction to sin by our words or our deeds, our silence or our presence. Wherever we go, we are to carry Jesus with us, and to reveal to others the preciousness of our Saviour. But those who try to preserve their religion by hiding it within stone walls, lose precious opportunities of doing good. Through the social relations, Christianity comes in contact with the world. Every one who has received the divine illumination, is to brighten the pathway of those who know not the Light of life.—“Desire of Ages,” page 152.

The Spirit of Discrimination

In attending gatherings, the disciple should consider whether they are of such a character that he will be afforded opportunity to let his light shine for the Master. It is evident that Christ differentiated in social gatherings. There is no record that he was ever present at a gathering whose primary object was that of sport and pleasure. In harmony with his divine character and with the work which he came to this world to do, we must believe that he attended only gatherings which afforded him opportunity for carrying forward his earthly mission. When this same spirit possesses the hearts of his disciples, they will show the same discrimination with respect to the gatherings which they attend.

F. M. W.