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IT BEHOOVED HIM

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jan 3, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 1.

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IT BEHOOVED HIM.

IN other words it was what ought to be done, must be done; it was owed, it was duty. Of Jesus the Son of God the words are spoken. It covers His entire sacrifice for man, from the time of His consecration to that work in the foundation of the world to His mighty victory over sin and death. He had created man, that man might glorify Eternal Goodness forever. His creatures sinned and fell. However much it cost the universe, His plan must not fail. Every soul must have the glorious privilege of serving God. Every one must be saved who would put his faith in the power of God, his hand in his Saviour's.
Christ weighed it all. He must become man in all things. He must as man meet all that man would have to meet. He knew that ardor would in trial and darkness grow cool. He knew that zeal under utter physical weariness would flag. He knew that in face of the most appalling and hardest wickedness tenderness would grow harsh. He knew that under the strongest injustice humanity would assert itself for itself. Therefore He placed all His work on the high plane of duty—"it behooved Him"—love's highest expression in the sorest trial.
What a lesson it is for this superficial, spiritual age, which works by feeling and impulse, and so often calls the feeling "love." What a spurious "love" it is that turns from God's Word, turns from integrity of heart, turns from highest and holiest principle, and sacrifices all to the multitude, to impulse, to emotion, to feeling. Even earthly love, if true in character, must yield to duty.
"And I read the moral—A brave endeavor To do thy duty, whate'er its worth, Is better than life with love forever, And love is the sweetest thing on earth."
But the highest plane of love is duty; and on this high plane of duty Christ recorded His wonderful love. "It behooved Him in all things to be made like unto His brethren, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest." And He declares: "If ye love Me, ye will keep My commandments." "If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love."