How to see other people through the eyes of Jesus? This week's lesson will help us understand our only pattern which will enable us to see clearly what Jesus have seen when He ministered with the people in his time. As we continue on with the lesson bear in mind the following: A. Leading Others, B. Accepting Everyone, C. Making Friends, D. Treating Others in a Special Way, E. Taking advantage of every opportunity.

Memory Verse:

• And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. {Matthew 4:19}

Prayer Thought:

• Wrench yourself away from hurtful associations. Count the cost of following Jesus, and make it, with a determined purpose to cleanse yourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. Eternal life is worth your all, and Jesus has said, "Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." [Luke 14:33.] He who does nothing, but waits to be compelled by some supernatural agency, will wait on in lethargy and darkness. God has given his word. God speaks in unmistakable language to your soul. Is not the word of his mouth sufficient to show you your duty, and to urge its fulfillment? {CE 117.1}

A. Leading Others

“Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him.” (Mark 8:22)

1. Every church should be a training school for Christian workers.

Its members should be taught how to give Bible readings, how to conduct and teach Sabbath school classes, how best to help the poor and to care for the sick, how to work for the unconverted. There should be schools of health, cooking schools, and classes in various lines of Christian help work. There should not only be teaching, but actual work under experienced instructors. Let the teachers lead the way in working among the people and others, uniting with them, will learn from their example. One example is worth more than many precepts.--Ministry of Healing, pp. 148, 149. {CME 18.1}

2. Every Life is a Light for Others

Every life is a light that brightens and cheers the pathway of others, or a dark and desolating influence that tends toward despair and ruin. We lead others either upward to happiness and immortal life, or downward to sorrow and eternal death. And if by our deeds we strengthen or force into activity the evil powers of those around us, we share their sin. {CC 201.4}

3. Firm Religious Principles Needed

There are many who are servants of Christ in name, but who are not so in deed. Where religious principle governs, the danger of committing great errors is small; for selfishness, which always blinds and deceives, is subordinate. The sincere desire to do others good so predominates that self is forgotten. To have firm religious principles is an inestimable treasure. It is the purest, highest, and most elevated influence mortals can possess. Such have an anchor. Every act is well considered, lest its effect be injurious to another and lead away from Christ.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 129 (1868).

There is a miracle in Mark 8:22-26 that's special in several ways.

(1) The blind man didn't believe in Jesus, but his friends did.

— Many people will never come to Jesus unless someone with faith brings them to Him. This is our mission.

(2) Jesus used two touches to heal him.

— Sometimes we may need a "second touch" from Jesus to see the spiritual truths clearly.

B. Accepting Everyone

“But He needed to go through Samaria.” (John 4:4)

1. Jesus Accepts every Soul who Believes

Jesus sets no man as an intercessor or to receive confessions of sins. He calls every sinner into communication with Himself, without any mortal man to interpose between God and the sinner. Jesus will accept every soul who believes on His name, and He will cleanse him from all his moral defilement, if he believes on Him whom the Father hath sent into the world. {9MR 185.1}

2. Consider your Condition

With reference to names, forms, or ideas, the tampering with revelation has aroused my fears for our people. The words of Christ are sounding in our ears: "Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Revelation 3:17). {9MR 185.2}

3. Jesus Appeals to Human Race

God sent these self-sufficient ones messages of warning, but they would not heed them. He has been appealing to them by His Holy Spirit and by the testimonies, and yet they will not hear. He says to them, "I counsel thee to buy of me gold, . . . white raiment, . . . and . . . eyesalve" (verse 18). This is a purchase that will be of the highest advantage. He explains why He has sent earnest appeals, reproofs, warnings: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (verses 19, 20). {9MR 185.3}

• Jesus sees beyond race, culture, sex and religion. He knew that there were people in Samaria who needed salvation, so His mission was to bring it to them.
• When we see others with God's sympathy, every barrier is brought down. Then there's no more separation, because we see them as potential citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
• We may not share or accept their political or religious ideas, but we always love them and want the best for them.

C. Making Friends

“He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ).” (John 1:41)

1. May also loss a Close Friend

The Son of God did not deviate from the path of unwavering obedience, even to the death of the cross. He endured all the woe of man's sin; and shall we turn away from the commandments of the Lord because it involves the loss of friends, position, or worldly gain? Will you not take away your feet from trampling upon the Sabbath of Jehovah? Will you continue to rob God of his holy time? You cannot afford to do this work of making void the law of God. It is at an eternal loss that you rebel against the truth of Heaven. I beseech you, in the name of Christ, that you confess your sins, and reform your ways, that your name may not be blotted out from the book of life, but may be confessed before the Father and before his angels. Jesus is pleading his blood before the Father, and now while mercy lingers and probation is prolonged, seek the approbation of Heaven. Delay not to keep the commandments of the Lord. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." {RH, January 31, 1888 par. 17}

2. Your Safety is Still in Christ as Your Counsellor

Your only safety and happiness are in making Christ your constant Counsellor. You can be happy in Him if you had not another friend in the wide world. Your feelings of unrest and homesickness or loneliness may be for your good. Your heavenly Father means to teach you to find in Him the friendship and love and consolation that will satisfy your most earnest hopes and desires. I fear that you are striving to carry your own burden. It is too heavy for you. Jesus bids you cast it upon Him that He may carry it for you. There is an experience for you to gain in faith and trust in God. He is faithful who hath promised. You must exercise faith in the promises of God. {11MR 357.3}

3. Working for friends and relatives will increase the member's own faith.

In these first few disciples the foundation of the Christian church was being laid by individual effort. John first directed two of his disciples to Christ. Then one of these finds a brother, and brings him to Christ. He then calls Philip to follow Him, and he went in search of Nathanael. Here is an instructive lesson for all the followers of Christ. It teaches them the importance of personal effort, making direct appeals to relatives, friends, and acquaintances. There are those who profess to be acquainted with Christ for a life time who never make personal effort to induce one soul to come to the Saviour. They have left all the work with the minister. He may be well qualified for his work; but he cannot do the work which God has left upon the members of the church. Very many excuse themselves from being interested in the salvation of those who are out of Christ, and are content to selfishly enjoy the benefits of the grace of God themselves, while they make no direct effort to bring others to Christ. In the vineyard of the Lord there is a work for all to do, and unselfish, interested, faithful workers will share largely of His grace here, and of the reward He will bestow hereafter. Faith is called into exercise by good works, and courage and hope are in accordance with working faith. The reason many professed followers of Christ have not a bright and living experience, is because they do nothing to gain it. If they would engage in the work which God would have them do, their faith would increase, and they would advance in the divine life.--2SP 66. {PaM 146.4}

• When Jesus said goodbye to His disciples, He asked them to preach the gospel in increasing areas: “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).
• The apostle Andrew set an example of this method. First, he told his brother about Jesus [Judea].
• Later, he befriended a lad [Samaria] and Jesus made a great miracle through him (John 6:5-11).
• He eventually shared the Gospel with strangers [to the end of the earth], like the Greek men who were looking for Jesus (John 12:20-26).
• We can learn an effective method of bringing souls to Jesus from Andrew's example: building affectionate relationships with others.

D. Treating Others in a Special Way

“Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ But after that no one dared question Him.” (Mark 12:34)

1. Our Deed Should be Rightly Manifested

No selfishness in look, word, or deed is to be manifested when dealing with those of like precious faith, . . . whether they be high or low, rich or poor. The love that gives kind words to only a few, while others are treated with coldness and indifference, is not love but selfishness. It will not in any way work for the good of souls or the glory of God. Our love is not to be sealed up for special ones, to the neglect of others. Break the bottle, and the fragrance will fill the house.--MS 17, 1899. (HC 231.) {1MCP 241.4}

2. Ability No Substitute for Love.

Talk, Pharisaism, and self-praise are abundant; but these will never win souls to Christ. Pure, sanctified love, such love as was expressed in Christ's lifework, is as a sacred perfume. Like Mary's broken box of ointment, it fills the whole house with fragrance. Eloquence, knowledge of truth, rare talents, mingled with love, are all precious endowments. But ability alone, the choicest talents alone, cannot take the place of love.--6T 84 (1900). {1MCP 242.1}

3. Liberality a Proof of Love.

The proof of our love is given in a Christlike spirit, a willingness to impart the good things God has given us, a readiness to practice self-denial and self-sacrifice in order to help advance the cause of God and suffering humanity. Never should we pass by the object that calls for our liberality. We reveal that we have passed from death unto life when we act as faithful stewards of God's grace. God has given us His goods; He has given us His pledged word that if we are faithful in our stewardship, we shall lay up in heaven treasures that are imperishable.--RH, May 15, 1900. {1MCP 242.2}

4. The Heart in Which Love Rules.

The heart in which love rules will not be filled with passion or revenge, by injuries which pride and self-love would deem unbearable. Love is unsuspecting, ever placing the most favorable construction upon the motives and acts of others.--5T 168, 169 (1882).

5. Corrects Peculiarities.

When man is a partaker of the divine nature, the love of Christ will be an abiding principle in the soul, and self and its peculiarities will not be exhibited.--6T 52 (1900)

6. Only Love of Christ Can Heal.

Only the love that flows from the heart of Christ can heal. Only he in whom that love flows, even as the sap in the tree or as the blood in the body, can restore the wounded soul.--Ed 114 (1903).

• How did Jesus deal with difficult people?

— He listened to them carefully.

— He asked them questions.

— He revealed the truth gradually.

— He acknowledge the desire of their hearts.

— He saw potential in the most despicable people.

— He didn't consider anyone out of the Gospel's reach.

— He saw a reflection of the glory of Creation in everyone.

— He raised their thoughts so they could discover what they could become.

• Seeing others through Jesus' eyes means to see everyone as a candidate for the Kingdom of Heaven, and treating them accordingly. To be successful witnesses, we must ask the Holy Spirit for this kind of vision.

E. Taking Advantage of Every Opportunity

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.” (Revelation 3:8)

1. Prepares for Every Eventuality.

Everyone who truly loves God will have the spirit of Christ and a fervent love for his brethren. The more a person's heart is in communion with God, and the more his affections are centered in Christ, the less will he be disturbed by the roughness and hardships he meets in this life.--5T 483, 484 (1889).

2. Brotherhood Never Gained Through Compromise.

Those who love Jesus and the souls for whom He has died will follow after the things which make for peace. But they must take care lest in their efforts to prevent discord they surrender truth, lest in warding off division they sacrifice principle. True brotherhood can never be maintained by compromising principle. As Christians approach the Christlike model and become pure in spirit and action they will feel the venom of the serpent. The opposition of the children of disobedience is excited by a Christianity that is spiritual. . . . That peace and harmony which are secured by mutual concessions to avoid all differences of opinion are not worthy of the name. On points of feeling between man and man, concessions should sometimes be made; but never should one iota of principle be sacrificed to obtain harmony.--RH, Jan 16, 1900. {1MCP 244.1}

3. Enfolds Human Brotherhood in God's Embrace.

Sanctified love for one another is sacred. In this great work Christian love for one another--far higher, more constant, more courteous, more unselfish, than has been seen--preserves Christian tenderness, Christian benevolence, and politeness, and enfolds the human brotherhood in the embrace of God, acknowledging the dignity with which God has invested the rights of man. This dignity Christians must ever cultivate for the honor and glory of God.--Lt 10, 1897. (5BC 1140, 1141.)

4. Your Love for Souls Measures Your Love for God.

The love revealed in Christ's life of self-denial and self-sacrifice is to be seen in the lives of His followers. We are called "so to walk, even as He walked.". . . It is our privilege to stand with the light of heaven upon us. It was thus that Enoch walked with God. It was no easier for Enoch to live a righteous life than it is for us at the present time. The world in his time was no more favorable to growth in grace and holiness than it is now. . . . We are living in the perils of the last days, and we must receive our strength from the same source. We must walk with God. . . . {1MCP 245.1}

5. Perfect Love in the Church, the Aim of Christ.

Jesus could have flashed bright beams of light on the darkest mysteries of science, but He would not spare a moment from teaching the knowledge of the science of salvation. His time, His knowledge, His faculties, His life itself, were appreciated only as the means of working out the salvation of the souls of men. O what love, what matchless love! {1MCP 245.3}

• As in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian, God opens doors to give us providential opportunities to share the Gospel.
• There are invisible angels eager to lead us through those "open doors." Ask God to give you judgment to recognize those providential opportunities, and to give you the appropriate words in those moments.

From the Pen of Inspiration:

“Jesus came in personal contact with men. He did not stand aloof and apart from those who needed His help. He entered the homes of men, comforted the mourner, healed the sick, aroused the careless, and went about doing good. And if we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we must do as He did. We must give men the same kind of help that He did.” E.G.W. (Our Father Cares, February 17)