The Great Missionary by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1910

The Great Missionary

By F. M. W.

“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

In this brief Scripture quotation is comprehended the history of Christ’s life on earth. He “went about doing good.” This was the object with which he came to this world, and most worthily did he fulfil his divine mission. No little act or word was deemed too small, and no laborious, painstaking effort too great, in the prosecution of his purpose.

For all classes alike he labored. The poor were as welcome as the rich, the obscure and illiterate as well as the influential and learned. While he held

converse with the doctors of the law, God instructed the learned Nicodemus, or healed the daughter of Jairus, he also graced the table of Levi, the publican, with his presence, touched with healing power the loathsome bodies of the poor lepers, and as a crowning evidence of his regard for virtue and not worldly station or influence, chose as his disciples twelve men from the lowly walks of life, because in them were found the principles of humility and obedience.

In his own home, in the church, and in the world, Christ bore out the character of one sent from God. Of him in early life we have the record that he was subject unto his parents. We can reasonably suppose that as the “carpenter’s son,” he bore his share of the family duties and burdens. Of his tender regard for his loved mother, even under circumstances of the most painful personal sufferings, we have evidence in John 19:25-27. As a church missionary we find him ministering to his disciples’ needs after the multitude had retired. Patiently and painstakingly did he teach them as babes the mysteries of the kingdom. And for their physical needs and temporal necessities he likewise had regard. How often he manifested for them the tender solicitude expressed in Mark 6:37, we may never know. But “come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile,” no doubt often greeted the ears of the weary disciples.

He labored as zealously for the great stranger world. He ministered to their physical and spiritual needs alike. He caused the blind to see, the lame to walk, the dumb to speak. He cast out devils, healed the lepers, and raised the dead. He fed the hungry, often ministering to the temporal as an avenue to the spiritual. In all this, Christ was representing God to the world.

Christ is our example. By doing as he did, we will represent him to men. Are we truly representing him to-day? Are we going about doing good—missionaries in the home, the church, and the world? If we are not missionaries in the home, we are not fitted for such service in the church, and if we are not missionaries in the home and church, we have no calling for the unconverted world. The duties nearest us should first claim our attention. Faithfulness in the performance of those, however small they may appear, will fit us for more abundant labors in the service of our missionary Master. Caring for one’s own, not alone in temporal matters but in the spiritual as well, is the distinguishing characteristic between the worshipers of true and false gods. Too many to-day have a burden for foreign missionary labor who have never demonstrated in their own homes their love for souls. Labor for God is not confined to great achievements. Assisting a weary wife or mother, giving a welcome, cheering smile to the tired husband or father, administering to the poor, the sick, the despondent, and the discouraged on every side,—all this is missionary labor of the highest and most practical Christlike character.

F. M. W.