Introduction:

In His daily life Christ gave men an example of the work they were to do. In the temple, in the highways and byways, by His parables, His miracles, His divine compassion and sympathy, He constantly declared, I came not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. He went about doing good, healing the souls and bodies of those who were sick; and when Pilate gave Him up to the rage of the people for whom He had done so much, it was with the words, "I find no fault in Him." His was a perfect humanity. In His life, activity and devotion were harmoniously blended. The day found Him teaching in the temple or healing the sick; and the night, praying in Olivet for strength to complete His work. The Son of man, He must brace Himself for duty and temptation. He must have vigor of soul and body. He must leave His followers a perfect example of how to combat the enemy. And He prayed earnestly to His Father for strength to do this. For all who desire to follow Him, His example is left on record. Prayer sanctified His ministry. Strength and vigor for daily duty are derived from worshiping God in the beauty of holiness. The lamp must be filled with holy oil before its light can shine amid the moral darkness. {ST, October 31, 1900 par. 8}

Thus Christ represents the characters of those whom he came to teach, in a brief and comprehensive parable. The worldly-minded, the evil-disposed, the hard-hearted, are all exhibited to the minds of his hearers. He thus answers the question that we often hear today: Why was the work of Christ productive of such meager results, during his personal ministry upon earth? Miracles of goodness and mercy marked his life; but while he healed the afflicted, and cast out the demons that persecuted men, he left to themselves the work of correcting the evils of their natures. He instructed them how to unite their human efforts with his divine power, and triumph through his strength over the sins that beset them. {2SP 241.1}

In the cumulative light now shining on the much mooted question of tongues and other miracles, none need longer continue in darkness, mistake, or confusion as to the nature, character, and purpose of the true miracle-working power, and the time for its manifestation. Sad to say, though, multitudes of uninformed and misinformed will continue to get hooked as they jump at hooks bated with miracle-promises dangling invitingly from the lines of so-called miracle-workers here, there, and everywhere, thus going from bad to worse, squandering their time and their money, their life and their health, their hope and their faith. {2TG 46.46}

Scriptural Thought:

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Isa. 7: 14. NOTE.—Immanuel means "God with us." See Matt. 1:23.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder." Isa. 9: 6.

What did the prophet say His name should be called? "And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end." Verses 6, 7.

"In Christ's parable-teaching the same principle is seen as in His own mission to the world. That we might become acquainted with His divine character and life, Christ took our nature, and dwelt among us.... Men could learn of the unknown through the known; heavenly things were revealed through the earthly; God was made manifest in the likeness of men. Christ's parables are links in the chain of truth that unites man with God, and earth with heaven." {1TG 49.2}

In the time of the Loud Cry signs and wonders and miracles will follow the believers. All this awaits those who are awake to these facts and who devote their main interests and even their very lives to the furtherance of God's cause, His Kingdom. {12SC 3.16}

1. Birth, Childhood, and Early Life of Christ

The Significance of Christ's Birth

a. Human Body of Christ

God and Christ knew from the beginning, of the apostasy of Satan and of the fall of Adam through the deceptive power of the apostate. The plan of salvation was designed to redeem the fallen race, to give them another trial. Christ was appointed to the office of Mediator from the creation of God, set up from everlasting to be our substitute and surety. Before the world was made, it was arranged that the divinity of Christ should be enshrouded in humanity. "A body," said Christ, "hast thou prepared me" (Hebrews 10:5). But He did not come in human form until the fullness of time had expired. Then He came to our world, a babe in Bethlehem. {1SM 250.1}

b. His Humble Nativity

At the time of Christ's birth the Jewish people were so engrossed with their own ambitious plans that they knew not of His advent. The magi from a heathen land came to the manger with their gifts, to worship the Saviour. So these Greeks, representing the nations, tribes, and peoples of the world, came to see Jesus. So the people of all lands and all ages would be drawn by the Saviour's cross. So shall many "come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 8:11. {DA 621.3}

c. His Noble Upbringing

Christ's early life is a pattern for all children and youth. It was marked by respect, and love for His mother. He was obedient to His parents, and kind to all. He hated sin, and to every temptation turned a deaf ear. He sought to understand the reason of things, and so increased in knowledge and wisdom. He was sympathetic and tender-hearted, and ever ready to relieve the oppressed, the sorrowing, and the suffering. If we love Christ, we shall love to talk of Him; our sweetest thoughts will be of Him; and by beholding Him we shall be changed into the same image.

2. Christ's Ministry

a. Humanity's Representative

Christ came to the earth, taking humanity and standing as man's representative, to show in the controversy with Satan that man, as God created him, connected with the Father and the Son, could obey every divine requirement. Speaking through His servant He declares, "His commandments are not grievous" (1 John 5:3). It was sin that separated man from his God, and it is sin that maintains this separation. {1SM 253.4}

b. Ideal, Perfect and Genuine Ministry

The Lord has given Christ to the world for ministry. Merely to preach the Word is not ministry. The Lord desires His ministering servants to occupy a place worthy of the highest consideration. In the mind of God, the ministry of men and women existed before the world was created. He determined that His ministers should have a perfect exemplification of Himself and His purposes. No human career could do this work; for God gave Christ in humanity to work out His ideal of what humanity may become through entire obedience to His will and way. God's character was revealed in the life of His Son. Christ not only held a theory of genuine ministry, but in His humanity He wrought out an illustration of the ministry that God approves. Perfection has marked out every feature of true ministry. Christ, the Son of the living God, did not live unto Himself, but unto God.--18MR 380 (1891). {DG 101.2}

c. Health Restoration: Body and Soul

Read the Scriptures carefully, and you will find that Christ spent the largest part of His ministry in restoring the suffering and afflicted to health. Thus He threw back upon Satan the reproach of the evil which the enemy of all good had originated. Satan is the destroyer; Christ is the Restorer. And in our work as Christ's co-laborers, we shall have success if we work on practical lines. Ministers should call to their aid helpers. Do not confine your labors always to giving Bible instruction. Do practical work. Seek to restore the sick to health. This is true ministry. Remember that the restoration of the body prepares the way for the restoration of the soul. {13MR 213.2}

3. Christ is the Great Teacher

a. Exemplified in the Master Teacher

In the training of His disciples the Saviour followed the system of education established at the beginning. The Twelve first chosen, with a few others who through ministry to their needs were from time to time connected with them, formed the family of Jesus. They were with Him in the house, at the table, in the closet, in the field. They accompanied Him on His journeys, shared His trials and hardships, and, as much as in them was, entered into His work. {CG 294.3}

b. God’s Glory and Character Reveals the God the Father

Only Jesus can perfectly reveal God (Hebrews 1:2), because He is God (Hebrews 1:3):

— He is the brightness of His glory

— He is the express image of His person

— He upholds all things

— He has purged our sins

— He sits down at the right hand of God

c. Image of the Fullness of Godhead

Jesus revealed the glory and the character of the Father. People could see God in Him. (John 14:9).

Jesus is the image of God, and we are transformed to the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29) so we can reveal the glory and the character of the Father to this world.

Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12), and we’ve been made light (Matthew 5:14) to light up the world with the knowledge of His character.

The more time we spend with Jesus, the more we’ll reflect His glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).

4. Parables of Christ

a. Content of His Teachings and Its Purposes

A master at teaching with parables, Jesus spoke about 35 percent of his recorded words in parables.

The purpose of parables in Jesus Christ's teaching was to focus the listener on God and his kingdom. These stories revealed the character of God: what he is like, how he works, and what he expects from his followers. Most scholars agree that there are at least 33 parables in the Gospels.

b. Object Lessons of Parables

Christ's object, therefore, in using parables was to teach the mysteries, or truths, of the kingdom of heaven,— truths not necessarily difficult to understand, but which had long been hidden or obscured by sin, apostasy, and tradition,— in such a way that the spiritually minded and those desirous of learning the truth, might understand them, and the worldly-minded and unwilling would not. When asked the meaning of any parable, Christ readily explained it to His disciples. See Luke 8: 9-15; Matt. 13: 36-43; Mark 4 : 33, 34. 7

c. His Method of Instruction

Parables are simply stories. All, young and old, like to hear a story. Story-telling is one of the most successful means of awakening an interest, securing attention, and teaching, illustrating, and enforcing important truths. Christ, the greatest of all teachers, recognized this, and therefore made constant use of this method of instruction. See reading on " Preaching the Gospel," page 631.

d. Great and Important Truth Designed in Parables

Each parable is designed to teach some one great and important truth. The first twelve in the list here given are intended to teach the following lessons, respectively:

(1) Good and evil in life and judgment.

(2) Value of the gospel.

(3) Seeking salvation.

(4) The visible church of Christ.

(5) Truths new and old.

(6) Duty of forgiving others.

(7) Call at various epochs.

(8) Insincerity and repentance.

(9) Need of righteousness.

(10) Watchful and careful profession.

(11) Use of abilities.

(12) Final separation of good and bad.

5. Miracles of Christ

a. A Supernatural Display of Divine Power

A miracle is the display of divine or superhuman power in some unusual or extraordinary manner; hence its nature to attract attention. Christ fed the five thousand with the multiplied loaves and fishes, and all men wondered. Every day God feeds millions of humanity with the multiplied fruits of the earth, and no one marvels. Christ, by a shortened process, changed water into wine, and everybody was astonished; but every year God does this in the usual way—through the vine —in almost limitless quantities, and no one is astonished. A divine miracle, therefore, whenever performed, is wrought to heal and to save, and to call attention to the source of divine power.

b. His Dependence on God for Authority and Power

The record of Christ's contest with Satan was chronicled for the help and encouragement of the people of God today. In this contest Christ worked no miracle and gave no sign. His only dependence was God and his word. In the future, Satan is to come down with great power, to work signs and wonders. He will bring down fire from heaven in the presence of his devotees, and, to those who have allowed themselves to be led away from the only true foundation,--the word of God,--will give proof of his authority. He will deceive if possible the very elect. Those who are standing firm upon the word of the everlasting God will meet Satan with the weapon with which Christ met him,--"It is written." This will be of more power than the working of miracles. The people of God will conquer through the Holy Spirit's working, which is stronger than miracles or aught else. It is from the Lord that we are to obtain power. {SW, March 1, 1904 par. 39}

c. A Response to Faith in God

Miracles were an important element in the ministry of Jesus Christ. They are not only divine acts, but they are also a form of teaching. Through miracles we can learn divine truths such as the result of sin and the cure of sin, the value of faith, the curse of impurity, and the law of love. Miracles occur in response to faith. They are never wrought without prayer, felt need, and deep faith in the power of God. (See Bible Dictionary, “Miracles,” 732–33.) As it says in Ether 12:12: “For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them.”

d. Messianic Proof

Christ’s miracles offered proof that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. He said: “The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me” (John 10:25). Through miracles mankind “might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing … might have life through his name” (John 20:31).

6. Sufferings of Christ

a. Entire Obedience a Condition to Salvation

In His great suffering, Christ felt no pang of bitterness against His Father. He felt no remorse for His own sins, but for the sins of the fallen race. But those who refuse the gift of Christ will one day feel the sting of remorse. Entire obedience to the law of God is the condition of salvation. Those who refuse this, who refuse to accept Christ, will become embittered against God. When punished for transgression, they will feel despair and hatred. This will be the experience of all who do not enter into Christ's suffering; for it is the sure consequence of sin. {ST, April 14, 1898 par. 12}

b. Sacrificial Substitution on Our Behalf

The sufferings of Christ for the redemption of a fallen race were a necessity, and his exaltation is a part of the plan by which his chosen shall at last behold his full and inexpressible glory. Our Lord Jesus Christ could not have become the Redeemer unless he had first been the Sacrifice. How precious is it to contemplate the faithfulness of God to his promises! After his humiliation, suffering, and death, the Son of God steps back to the position of his former glory, and is one with the Father in power and dominion. {ST, June 27, 1895 par. 5}

7. The Resurrection of Christ

a. Resurrection Hope of Glory in Christ

How broad, how full is this love. The new part of that commandment the disciples did not understand. They were to love one another as Christ had loved them. These were their credentials that Christ was formed within, the hope of glory. After the sufferings of Christ, after His crucifixion and resurrection and proclamation over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, "I am the resurrection and the life," after His words to the five hundred who assembled to see Him in Galilee, and after His ascension to heaven, the disciples had some idea of what the love of God comprehended, and of the love they were to exercise one toward another. When the Holy Spirit rested on them on the day of Pentecost, that love was revealed. John could say to his brother disciples: [1 John 3:16-18; 4:16-21, quoted]. {2SAT 119.2}

b. Sacred Facts of His Resurrection Immortalized

After His resurrection, Christ did not show Himself to any save His followers, but testimony in regard to His resurrection was not wanting. It came from various sources, [including] from the five hundred who assembled in Galilee to see their risen Lord. This testimony could not be quenched. The sacred facts of Christ’s resurrection were immortalized. {CTr 286.3}

c. The Firstfruit of the Harvest Projected in Him

Christ was the firstfruits of them that slept. This very scene, the resurrection of Christ from the dead, was observed in type by the Jews at one of their sacred feasts, called the feast of the Jews. They came up to the temple when the firstfruits had been gathered in, and held a feast of thanksgiving. The firstfruits of the harvest crop was sacredly dedicated to the Lord. . . . {CTr 286.5}

8. A Sinless Life

a. Second Adam Regain A Sinless Life in the Flesh

In His humanity Christ partook of our sinful, fallen nature. If not, then He was not "made like unto His brethren," was not "in all points tempted like as we are," did not overcome as we have to overcome, and is not, therefore, the complete and perfect Saviour man needs and must have to be saved. The idea that Christ was born of an immaculate or sinless mother inherited no tendencies to sin, and for this reason did not sin, removes Him from the realm of a fallen world, and from the very place where help is needed. On His human side, Christ inherited just what every child of Adam inherits,— a sinful nature. On the divine side, from His very conception He was begotten and born of the Spirit. And all this was done to place mankind on vantage-ground, and to demonstrate that in the same way every one who is "born of the Spirit" may gain like victories over sin in his own sinful flesh. Thus each, one is to overcome as Christ overcame. Rev. 3:21. Without this birth there can be no victory over temptation, and no salvation from sin. John 3: 3-7. God, in Christ, condemned sin, not by pronouncing against it merely as a judge sitting on the judgment-seat, but by coming and living in the flesh, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and yet without sinning. In Christ, He demonstrated that it is possible, by His grace and power, to resist temptation, overcome sin, and live a sinless life in the flesh.

9. Our Pattern

a. A Perfect and Holy Example

Christ is our pattern, the perfect and holy example that has been given us to follow. We can never equal the pattern, but we may imitate and resemble it according to our ability. . . . When we surrender all we have and are to God, and are placed in trying and dangerous positions, coming in contact with Satan, we should remember that we shall have victory in meeting the enemy in the name and power of the Conqueror. Every angel would be commissioned to come to our rescue when we thus depend upon Christ, rather than that we should be permitted to be overcome. But we need not expect to get the victory without suffering, for Jesus suffered in conquering for us. . . . {CTr 204.5}

b. His Victory Projects Our Final Victory

The Christian life is a life of warfare, of continual conflict. It is a battle and a march. But every act of obedience to Christ, every act of self-denial for His sake, every trial well endured, every victory gained over temptation, is a step in the march to the glory of final victory.—Manuscript 65, 1894 (Review and Herald, Feb. 5, 1895). {CTr 204.6}

c. Representative of Heaven: Imitate Him

The Saviour of the world would have his co-laborers represent him; and the more closely a man walks with God, the more faultless will be his manner of address, his deportment, his attitude, and his gestures. Coarse and uncouth manners were never seen in our Pattern, Christ Jesus. He was a representative of Heaven, and his followers must be like him. {CE 241.2}

10. Our Helper and Friend

a. Promise of Help Establish

The reason many have so superficial an experience is that they do so much for themselves and so little for Jesus. Intercourse with those who are in need of help, with the purpose of saving their souls, will lead us to pray for wisdom, and look to Jesus as our helper. By unselfish labor for others, we shall establish ourselves in the faith far more firmly than by listening to so many sermons. The Holy Spirit will be our helper, giving us arguments with which to meet opposition, and in all our work giving us steadfast faith and unshaken confidence. Thus we shall gain an experience of more value than gold, silver, or precious stones. {RH, January 12, 1897 par. 8}

b. He Set Up Standard for Us to Follow Through His Power

If we are self-confident or self-righteous we shall be left to fall under the power of temptation; but if we look to Jesus and trust in Him we call to our aid a power that has conquered the foe on the field of battle, and with every temptation He will make a way of escape. When Satan comes in like a flood, we must meet his temptations with the sword of the Spirit, and Jesus will be our helper and will lift up for us a standard against him. {ML 48.3}

By His Spirit He is everywhere present. Through the agency of His Spirit and His angels He ministers to the children of men. {ML 48.5}

BLEST they who seek While in their youth, With spirit meek, The way of truth. To them the Sacred Scriptures now display Christ as the only true and living way; His precious blood on Calvary was given To make them heirs of bliss in heaven. And e'en on earth the child of God can trace The blessings of his Saviour's grace. For them He bore His Father's frown; For them He wore The thorny crown; Nailed to the cross, Endured its pain, That His life's loss Might be their gain. Then haste to choose That better part, Nor e'en refuse The Lord thy heart, Lest He declare, "I know you not," And deep despair Should be your lot. Now look to Jesus, who on Calvary died, And trust on Him who there was crucified.