The Methods of Jesus
by Ellen White
For this reason He had chosen the Sabbath upon which to perform the act of healing at
Bethesda. He could have healed the sick man as well on any other day of the week; or He
might simply have cured him, without bidding him bear away his bed. But this would not
have given Him the opportunity He desired. A wise purpose underlay every act of Christ's
life on earth. Everything He did was important in itself and in its teaching. Among the
afflicted ones at the pool He selected the worst case upon whom to exercise His healing
power, and bade the man carry his bed through the city in order to publish the great work
that had been wrought upon him. This would raise the question of what it was lawful to do
on the Sabbath, and would open the way for Him to denounce the restrictions of the Jews in
regard to the Lord's day, and to declare their traditions void. DA 206
The works of Christ not only declared Him to be the Messiah, but showed in what manner
His kingdom was to be established. To John was opened the same truth that had come to
Elijah in the desert, when "a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in
pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an
earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but
the Lord was not in the fire:"[3 1 KINGS 19:11, 12.] and after the fire, God spoke to
the prophet by a still, small voice. So Jesus was to do His work, not with the clash of
arms and the overturning of thrones and kingdoms, but through speaking to the hearts of
men by a life of mercy and self-sacrifice. DA 217
The principle of the Baptist's own life of self-abnegation was the principle of the
Messiah's kingdom. John well knew how foreign all this was to the principles and hopes of
the leaders in Israel. That which was to him convincing evidence of Christ's divinity,
would be no evidence to them. They were looking for a Messiah who had not been promised.
John saw that the Saviour's mission could win from them only hatred and condemnation. He,
the forerunner, was but drinking of the cup which Christ Himself must drain to its dregs.
DA 218
By this relation of events in the lives of the prophets, Jesus met the questionings of
His hearers. The servants whom God had chosen for a special work, were not allowed to
labour for a hard-hearted and unbelieving people. But those who had hearts to feel and
faith to believe were especially favoured with evidences of His power through the
prophets. In the days of Elijah, Israel had departed from God. They clung to their sins,
and rejected the warnings of the Spirit through the Lord's messengers. Thus they cut
themselves off from the channel by which God's blessing could come to them. The Lord
passed by the homes of Israel, and found a refuge for His servant in a heathen land, with
a woman who did not belong to the chosen people. But this woman was favoured because she
had followed the light she had received, and her heart was open to the greater light that
God sent her through His prophet. DA 238
During that sad night on the lake, when they were separated from Christ, the disciples
were pressed hard by unbelief, and weary with fruitless toil. But His presence kindled
their faith, and brought them joy and success. So it is with us; apart from Christ, our
work is fruitless, and it is easy to distrust and murmur. But when He is near, and we
labour under His direction, we rejoice in the evidence of His power. It is Satan's work to
discourage the soul; it is Christ's work to inspire with faith and hope. DA 249
He sought to inspire with hope the most rough and 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. . . .
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. Those whom He thus helped were convinced
that here was One in whom they could trust with perfect confidence. He would not betray
the secrets they poured into His sympathising ear. DA 91,92
He who seeks to transform humanity must himself understand humanity. Only through
sympathy, faith, and love can men be reached and uplifted. Here Christ stands revealed as
the Master Teacher; of all that ever dwelt on the earth, He alone has perfect
understanding of the human soul. ED 78
Jesus said: "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." All that was done and said had this one
object in view,--to rivet truth in their minds that they might attain unto everlasting
life. Jesus did not come to astonish men with some great announcement of some special time
when some great event would occur, but he came to instruct and save the lost. He did not
come to arouse and gratify curiosity; for he knew that this would but increase the
appetite for the curious and the marvellous. It was his aim to impart knowledge whereby
men might increase in spiritual strength, and advance in the way of obedience and true
holiness. He gave only such instruction as could be appropriated to the needs of their
daily life, only such truth as could be given to others for the same appropriation. He did
not make new revelations to men, but opened to their understanding truths that had long
been obscured or misplaced through the false teaching of the priests and teachers. Jesus
replaced the gems of divine truth in their proper setting, in the order in which they had
been given to patriarchs and prophets. And after giving them this precious instruction, he
promised to give them the Holy Spirit whereby all things that he had said unto them should
be brought to their remembrance. RH MAR.22,1892