Signs of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 22. (6/9/1914)

Signs of the Times

Jun 9, 1914

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jun 9, 1914

The World's Greatest Teacher and Healer

By Ellen G. White

His Unselfish Life Our Inspiring Example

The Poor Were His Special Care, but He

Sought Out the Rich, to Help Them

Also—He Knew No Caste or Class

Distinction, and Held a High Estimate

of the Dignity of Humanity

MRS. E. G. WHITE

OUR Lord Jesus Christ came to this world as the unwearied servant of man's necessity. He "took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses" (Matt. 8:17), that He might minister to every need of humanity. The burden of disease and wretchedness and sin He came to remove. It was His mission to bring to men complete restoration; He came to give them health and peace and perfection of character. "I am among you as he that serveth." Luke 22:27.

Varied were the circumstances and needs of those who besought His aid, and none who came to Him went away unhelped. From Him flowed a stream of healing power, and in body and mind and soul men were made whole.

UNSTINTED COMPASSION

The Saviour's work was not restricted to any time or place. His compassion knew no limit. On so large a scale did He conduct His work of healing and teaching that there was no building in Palestine large enough to receive the multitudes that thronged to Him. On the green hillslopes of Galilee, in the thoroughfares of travel, by the seashore, in the synagogues, and in every other place where the sick could be brought to Him, was to be found His hospital. In every city, every town, every village, through which He passed, He laid His hands upon the afflicted ones and healed them. Wherever there were hearts ready to receive His message, He comforted them with the assurance of their heavenly Father's love. All day He ministered to those who came to Him; in the evening He gave attention to such as through the day must toil to earn a pittance for the support of their families.

Jesus carried the awful weight of responsibility for the salvation of men. He knew that unless there was a decided change in the principles and purposes of the human race, all would be lost. This was the burden of His soul, and none could appreciate the weight that rested upon Him. Through childhood, youth, and manhood, He walked alone. Yet it was heaven to be in His presence. Day by day He met trials and temptations; day by day He was brought into contact with evil, and witnessed its power upon those whom He was seeking to bless and to save. Yet He did not fail or become discouraged.

A CONSTANT SACRIFICE

In all things, He brought His wishes into strict abeyance to His mission. He glorified His life by making everything in it subordinate to the will of His Father. When in His youth His mother, finding Him in the school of the rabbis, said, "Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us?" He answered,—and His answer is the key-note of His life-work,—"How is it that ye sought Me? wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" Luke 2:49.

His life was one of constant self-sacrifice. He had no home in this world, except as the kindness of friends provided for Him as a wayfarer. He came to live in our behalf the life of the poorest, and to walk and work among the needy and the suffering. Unrecognized and unhonored, He walked in and out among the people for whom He had done so much.

He was always patient and cheerful, and the afflicted hailed Him as a messenger of life and peace. He saw the needs of men and women, children and youth, and to all He gave the invitation, "Come unto Me."

HIS TIDINGS OF MERCY

During His ministry, Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching. His miracles testified to the truth of His words, that He came not to destroy, but to save. Wherever He went, the tidings of His mercy preceded Him. Where He had passed, the objects of His compassion were rejoicing in health, and making trial of their new-found powers. Crowds were collecting around them to hear from their lips the works that the Lord had wrought. His voice was the first sound that many had ever heard, His name the first word they had ever spoken, His face the first they had ever looked upon. Why should they not love Jesus, and sound His praise? As He passed through the towns and cities, He was like a vital current, diffusing life and joy.

"The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, Toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations, The people that sat in darkness Saw a great light, And to them that sat in the region and shad- ow of death, To them did light spring up." Matt. 4:15, 16.

The Saviour made each work of healing an occasion for implanting divine principles in the mind and soul. This was the purpose of His

work. He imparted earthly blessings, that He might incline the hearts of men to receive the gospel of His grace.

EXPLAINED THE SCRIPTURES

Christ might have occupied the highest place among the teachers of the Jewish nation; but He preferred rather to take the gospel to the poor. He went from place to place, that those in the highways and byways might hear the words of truth. By the sea, on the mountainside, in the streets of the city, in the synagogue, His voice was heard explaining the Scriptures.

Often He taught in the outer court of the temple, that the Gentiles might hear His words.

So unlike the explanations of Scripture given by the scribes and Pharisees was Christ's teaching, that the attention of the people was arrested. The rabbis dwelt upon tradition, upon human theory and speculation. Often that which men had taught and written about the Scripture was put in place of the Scripture itself.

The subject of Christ's teaching was the word of God. He met questioners with a plain, "It is written," "What saith the Scripture?" "How readest thou?" At every opportunity, when an interest was awakened by either friend or foe, He presented the Word. With clearness and power He proclaimed the gospel message. His words shed a flood of light on the teachings of patriarchs and prophets, and the Scriptures came to men as a new revelation. Never before had His hearers perceived in the word of God such depth of meaning.

TO BOTH POOR AND RICH

Never was there such an evangelist as Christ. He was the Majesty of heaven, but He humbled Himself to take our nature, that He might meet men where they were.

To all people, rich and poor, free and bond, Christ, the Messenger of the covenant, brought the tidings of salvation. His fame as the great Healer spread throughout Palestine. The sick came to the places through which He would pass, that they might call on Him for help. Hither, too, came many anxious to hear His words and to receive a touch of His hand. Thus He went from city to city, from town to town, preaching the gospel and healing the sick,—the King of glory in the lowly garb of humanity.

HE BROUGHT ETERNITY WITHIN VIEW

He attended the great yearly festivals of the nation, and to the multitude absorbed in outward ceremony He spoke of heavenly things, bringing eternity within their view. To all, He brought treasures from the storehouse of wisdom. He spoke to them in language so simple that they could not fail of understanding. By methods peculiarly His own, He helped all who were in sorrow and affliction. With tender, courteous grace, He ministered to the sin-sick soul, bringing healing and strength.

WAS THE PRINCE OF TEACHERS

The prince of teachers, He sought access to the people by the pathway of their most familiar associations. He presented the truth in such a way that ever after it was to His hearers intertwined with their most hallowed recollections and sympathies. He taught in

a way that made them feel the completeness of His identification with their interests and happiness. His instruction was so direct, His illustrations were so appropriate, His words so sympathetic and cheerful, that His hearers were charmed. The simplicity and earnestness with which He addressed the needy, hallowed every word.

SPEAKING HOPE TO THE DOWNCAST

What a busy life He led! Day by day He might have been seen entering the humble abodes of want and sorrow, speaking hope to

the downcast, and peace to the distressed. Gracious, tender-hearted, pitiful, He went about lifting up the bowed down and comforting the sorrowful. Wherever He went, He carried blessing.

WORKED FOR THE RICH ALSO

While He ministered to the poor, Jesus studied also to find ways of reaching the rich. He sought the acquaintance of the wealthy and cultured Pharisee, the Jewish nobleman, and the Roman ruler. He accepted their invitations, attended their feasts, made Himself familiar with their interests and occupations, that He might gain access to their hearts, and reveal to them the imperishable riches.

AS UNCONFINED AS THE AIR OR LIGHT

Christ recognized no distinction of nationality or rank or creed. The scribes and Pharisees desired to make a local and a national benefit of the gifts of heaven, and to exclude the rest of God's family in the world. But Christ came to break down every wall of partition. He came to show that His gift of mercy and love is as unconfined as the air, the light, or the showers of rain that refresh the earth.

The life of Christ established a religion in which there is no caste, a religion by which Jew and Gentile, free and bond, are linked in a common brotherhood, equal before God. No question of policy influenced His movements. He made no difference between neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies. That which appealed to His heart was a soul thirsting for the waters of life.

He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to apply the healing remedy to every soul. In whatever company He found Himself, He presented a lesson appropriate to the time and the circumstances. Every neglect or insult shown by men to their

fellow men, only made Him more conscious of their need of His divine-human sympathy. He sought to inspire with hope the roughest and most unpromising, setting before them the assurance that they might become blameless and harmless, attaining such a character as would make them manifest as the children of God.

HE BROKE THE POWER OF SATAN

Often He met those who had drifted under Satan's control, and who had no power to break from his snare. To such a one, discouraged, sick, tempted, fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood. Others He met who were fighting a hand-to-hand battle with the adversary of souls. These He encouraged to persevere, assuring them that they would win; for angels of God were on their side, and would give them the victory.

At the table of the publicans He sat as an honored guest, by His sympathy and social kindliness showing that He recognized the dignity of humanity; and men longed to become worthy of His confidence. Upon their thirsty hearts His words fell with blessed, life-giving power. New impulses were awakened, and to these outcasts of society there opened the possibility of a new life.

Christ came to this world to show that by receiving power from on high, man can live an unsullied life. With unwearying patience and sympathetic helpfulness, He met men in their necessities. By the gentle touch of grace, He banished from the soul unrest and doubt, changing enmity to love, and unbelief to confidence.

He could say to whom He pleased, "Follow Me," and the one addressed arose and followed Him. The spell of the world's enchantment was broken. At the sound of His voice, the spirit of greed and ambition fled, and men arose, emancipated, to follow the Saviour.

The Refuge for Each One

By STEPHEN N. HASKELL

Ancient Cities of Refuge a Type—We May Have the Reality and Find Perfect Rest and Peace

In This Fortress of Strength the Weakest Stand Secure

STEPHEN N. HASKELL

IN the early history of the world, provision was made for the punishment of the murderer. "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed," was the decree of Jehovah. Gen. 9: 6.

THE NEAREST RELATIVE THE AVENGER

The one nearest of kin to the murdered man, usually executed the murderer; but lest, in the excitement of the occasion, undue haste should be exercised and individuals be slain who did not deserve death, God made provision that the murderer might flee and lay hold upon His altar. None could be taken from the altar without an examination. If it was found that the murderer had presumptuously planned to kill the man, then he was taken from the altar and slain; otherwise his life was spared. Ex. 21: 14.

After the children of Israel entered the promised land, six cities were set apart as cities of refuge. These were conveniently located, three on each side of the river Jordan. Joshua 20: 2, 7, 8. The roads leading to these cities were always to be kept in good repair, that the one fleeing before the avenger of blood might not be hindered in his flight. Deut. 19: 3. The cities were on elevated ground, and could be seen at a distance.

ASSURED OF A JUST HEARING

When the murderer reached the gate of the city of refuge, he declared "his cause in the ears of the elders of that city," before a place was given him within. Joshua 20: 3-5. His case was also tried by the judges of the city near where the murder was committed; and if it was not a premeditated murder, but the deed had been done accidentally or unintentionally, then the guilty man was restored again to the city of refuge whither he had fled. Num. 35: 12, 24, 25.

HIS SOJOURN IN CITY OF REFUGE

The Saviour refers to this judgment in Matt. 5: 21. If at any time the slayer passed outside the limit of his city of refuge, his life could be taken by the avenger of blood, "because he should have remained in the city of his refuge." Num. 35: 26-28. The decree was, "He shall dwell in that city, . . . until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return . . . unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled." Joshua 20: 6.

Cities of refuge in Israel were far different from the asyla of the Greeks and Romans, which often served as a protection for the most profligate characters. The cities of refuge served as a protection for only those who had slain a person without enmity. The cities of refuge were cities belonging to the Levites, thus those confined within were under the best influence. They were associated with the religious teachers of Israel, and had every opportunity to reform their lives and establish righteous characters.

LIGHT OF THE BROAD DAY

The instruction in regard to the cities of refuge was but a part of the great system of Levitical laws and ceremonies that taught the simple truths of the gospel of Christ. Tyndale says that "while there is a 'starlight of Christ' in all the Levitical ceremonies, there is in some so truly the 'light of the broad day,' that he can not but believe that God had showed Moses the secrets of Christ and the very manner of His death beforehand." Dr. Adam Clarke says the whole gospel could be preached from the particulars given of the cities of refuge.

Every time an Israelite looked upon one of the cities of refuge, God designed he should be reminded of Christ, the "Tower of the flock, the Stronghold of the daughter of Zion" (Micah 4: 8), to whom every sin-burdened soul could flee for shelter.

SECURELY SHELTERED

Satan, the accuser, is upon the track of every one. He as "a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5: 8. But the person who forsakes sin and seeks righteousness stands securely sheltered by the atoning blood of Christ. Ex. 12: 13; 1 John 1: 7, 9.

Solomon, who was beset by temptations and sin, understood this when he wrote, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." Prov. 18: 10. David knew what it was to dwell in the antitypical city of refuge, when he said, "I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." Ps. 91: 2.

There could be no delay in seeking a city of refuge. As soon as the murder was committed, the murderer must flee at once. No family ties could hold him. His life depended upon his speedy flight to the city. O that all might learn the lesson, and instead of delaying, and trying to quiet our accusing conscience, when we know we have sinned, flee at once to Christ, confess our sins, and dwell in the refuge Christ has prepared! He has made ample provision that all may "have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us." Heb. 6: 18.

IF WE ABIDE IN HIM

Anciently the one who had fled to the city, found life within its walls, but death awaited him if he passed beyond its boundary. The beloved disciple was familiar with this truth when he wrote: "This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5: 11, 12. It is not sufficient simply to believe in Christ; we must abide in Him if we ever hope to obtain eternal life. God has promised to "hold thy right hand." The one who abides within the refuge will feel and know His

sheltering care, and when assailed by the enemy, may hear the Saviour saying, "Fear not; I will help thee." Isa. 41: 13.

CONTINUED ABIDING AND CONSTANT PROTECTION

In ancient Israel, the one who had fled for refuge could not spend part of his time outside the city, and the remainder within its sheltering walls. There was no safety at any time outside the city. Likewise, our only safety is to dwell "in the secret place of the Most High," and "abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Ps. 91: 1. "No man can serve two masters." Matt. 6: 24. We can not give the world and its pleasures the best of our time and thought, and hope to be sheltered from the final consequences of sin. We will receive our "wages," or final reward, from the master we serve. If the best of our life is spent in service of the world, we place ourselves outside the antitypical city of refuge, and will finally receive the "wages," death, which will be given every one who takes the world as his master. Rom. 6: 23.

When the high priest died, those who had fled to the cities of refuge during his term of office could return to their homes. They were free forever from the avenger of blood, and he could no longer harm them lawfully. Num. 35: 25.

THEY TYPIFIED THE CHRIST

Every high priest was a type of Christ, our High Priest. The earthly priest ceased to be high priest when he died. Our High Priest never dies; but the time will come when He will lay aside His priestly robes, and clothe Himself in a vesture upon which will be written the name, "King of kings, and Lord of lords." Rev. 19: 16.

No longer will He plead the cause of His people before the throne of God, for each case will have been decided for eternity. To those who have confessed every sin, and remained cleansed by the blood of Christ, He will say, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matt. 25: 34. They will then go to their own inheritance, with no fear of the avenger of blood; for the righteous will be forever beyond the power of Satan. Jer. 31: 16, 17.

AN EVER-SECURE REFUGE

Satan has usurped authority over this world. He haunts the steps of every son and daughter of Adam. But God always has had a refuge in the earth. Abel dwelt securely within its sacred precincts (Heb. 11: 4), and Job realized its sheltering power when Satan assailed him with his fiercest temptations. Job 1: 10.

The weakest child of God who lives continually within this refuge, can never be overthrown by the enemy of souls; for the angels of God encamp around such a one, to deliver him. Ps. 34: 7; John 10: 29.

This refuge is illustrated by many symbols throughout the Bible, each one revealing some special feature of God's protecting care. Jesus, as He wept over those who had refused His love, said, "How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not?" Luke 13: 34.

Happy is the soul who can say, in every time of temptation: "Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." Ps. 124: 7, 8.

Continue reading: Backwards Toward Egypt