He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.—Colossians 1:15

This is a time when every person in a responsible position, and every member of the church, should bring every feature of his work into close accord with the teachings of the word of God. By untiring vigilance, by fervent prayer, by Christlike words and deeds, we are to show the world what God desires His church to be.

From His high position, Christ, the King of glory, the Majesty of heaven, saw the condition of men and women. He pitied human beings in their weakness and sinfulness, and came to this earth to reveal what God is to humanity. Leaving the royal courts, and clothing His divinity with humanity, He came to the world Himself, in our behalf to work out a perfect character. He did not choose His dwelling among the rich of the earth. He was born in poverty, of lowly parentage, and lived in the despised village of Nazareth. As soon as He was old enough to handle tools, He shared the burden of caring for the family.

Christ humbled Himself to stand at the Head of humanity, to meet the temptations and endure the trials that humanity must meet and endure. He must know what humanity has to meet from the fallen foe, that He might know how to succor those who are tempted.

And Christ has been made our Judge. The Father is not the Judge. The angels are not. He who took humanity upon Himself, and in this world lived a perfect life, is to judge us. He only can be our Judge. Will you remember this, brethren? Will you remember it, ministers? Will you remember it, fathers and mothers? Christ took humanity that He might be our Judge. No one of you has been appointed to be a judge of others. It is all that you can do to discipline yourselves. In the name of Christ I entreat you to heed the injunction that He gives you never to place yourselves on the judgment seat. From day to day this message has been sounded in my ears: “Come down from the judgment seat. Come down in humility.”

Never was there a time when it was more important that we should deny ourselves and take up the cross daily than now. How much self-denial are we willing to practice?—Testimony Treasures 3:382, 383.

Further Reflection: What is my cross? What will I pick up today as I follow Christ?

From Jesus, Name Above All Names

Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”—John 1:49

In the Jewish age, all the revealings of God to His people, everything relating to His worship, was closely connected with the sanctuary—with the tabernacle in the wilderness, and afterward with the temple. Here God was worshiped; here the sacrificial offerings were presented before Him. Here was the breastplate of the high priest, set with precious stones, from which messages from Jehovah were received. Here, in the holy of holies, overshadowed by the wings of cherubim, dwelt the perpetual token of the presence of the Holy One, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. Here was the ark of the covenant, containing the tables of the law—the ark which was to Israel the symbol of the divine presence, and the pledge of victory in battle….

All through the pages of sacred history, where the dealings of God with His chosen people are recorded, there are burning traces of the great I AM. Never has He given to the sons of humanity more open manifestations of His power and glory than when He alone was acknowledged as Israel’s Ruler, and gave the law to His people. Here was a scepter swayed by no human hand; and the stately goings forth of Israel’s invisible King were unspeakably grand and awful.

Truly this was a wonderful dispensation, and those who speak derisively of the old Jewish law and the Dark Ages, should remember that they are treading on holy ground. While we rejoice today that our Saviour has appeared on earth, and that the offering for sin typified in the ceremonial law has become a reality, we are not excusable in harboring feelings of disrespect for that period when Christ Himself was the leader of His people. Those who do this may not know what they are doing; but they are showing themselves ignorant both of the Scriptures and of the power of God. They show that they need divine enlightenment, a more intelligent knowledge of God and His word.

The Christ typified in the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish law is the very same Christ that is revealed in the gospel. The clouds that enshrouded His divine form have rolled back; the mists and shades have disappeared; and Jesus, the world’s Redeemer, stands revealed.—The Signs of the Times, June 3, 1886.

Further Reflection: Why didn’t Jesus simply reveal Himself without types and symbols?

From Jesus, Name Above All Names

“And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.”—John 10:4

Near Bethsaida, at the northern end of the Sea of Galilee, was a lonely region, beautiful with the fresh green of spring, that offered a welcome retreat to Jesus and His disciples. For this place they set out, going in their boat across the lake. Here they could rest, apart from the confusion of the multitude. Here the disciples could listen to the words of Christ, undisturbed by the retorts and accusations of the Pharisees. Here they hoped to enjoy a short season of fellowship in the society of their Lord.

Only a short time did Jesus have alone with His beloved ones, but how precious to them were those few moments. They talked together regarding the work of the gospel and the possibility of making their labor more effective in reaching the people. As Jesus opened to them the treasures of truth, they were vitalized by divine power and inspired with hope and courage.

But soon He was again sought for by the multitude. Supposing that He had gone to His usual place of retirement, the people followed Him thither. His hope to gain even one hour of rest was frustrated. But in the depth of His pure, compassionate heart the Good Shepherd of the sheep had only love and pity for these restless, thirsting souls. All day He ministered to their needs, and at evening dismissed them to go to their homes and rest.

In a life wholly devoted to the good of others, the Saviour found it necessary to turn aside from ceaseless activity and contact with human needs, to seek retirement and unbroken communion with His Father. As the throng that had followed Him depart, He goes into the mountains, and there, alone with God, pours out His soul in prayer for these suffering, sinful, needy ones.

When Jesus said to His disciples that the harvest was great and the laborers were few, He did not urge upon them the necessity of ceaseless toil, but bade them, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:38). To His toil-worn workers today as really as to His first disciples He speaks these words of compassion, “Come ye yourselves apart … and rest awhile.”—The Ministry of Healing, 56-58.

Further Reflection: Do I sometimes cherish the rest God offers more than His call to labor?

From Jesus, Name Above All Names

“That the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”—John 17:26

Christ declares the mission He had in coming to the earth. He says in His last public prayer, “O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee, and these have known that Thou hast sent Me. And I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it; that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:25, 26). When Moses asked the Lord to show him His glory, the Lord said, “I will make all My goodness pass before thee” (Exodus 33:19). “And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty…. And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped” (Exodus 34:6-8). When we are able to comprehend the character of God as did Moses, we too shall make haste to bow in adoration and praise. Jesus contemplated nothing less than “that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me” (John 17:26) should be in the hearts of His children, that they might impart the knowledge of God to others.

O what an assurance is this, that the love of God may abide in the hearts of all who believe in Him! O what salvation is provided; for He is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by Him…. Those who are partakers of His sufferings here, of His humiliation, enduring for His name’s sake, are to have the love of God bestowed upon them as it was upon the Son. One who knows, has said, “The Father Himself loveth you.” … This love is ours through faith in the Son of God, therefore a connection with Christ means everything to us. We are to be one with Him as He is one with the Father, and then we are beloved by the infinite God as members of the body of Christ, as branches of the living Vine. We are to be attached to the parent stock, and to receive nourishment from the Vine. Christ is our glorified Head, and the divine love flowing from the heart of God, rests in Christ, and is communicated to those who have been united to Him. This divine love entering the soul inspires it with gratitude, frees it from its spiritual feebleness, from pride, vanity, and selfishness, and from all that would deform the Christian character.—Fundamentals of Christian Education, 177-179.

Further Reflection: How can I experience divine love if I am disconnected from Christ?

From Jesus, Name Above All Names

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”—John 10:11

There is a work that must be done for the wealthy, to arouse them to a realization of their relationship to humanity and their accountability to God. They must be awakened to the fact that they are to give an account to Him who shall judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom. Those who are rich are put under responsibility to labor for others in the love and fear of God. But many of the rich trust in their riches, and do not realize the danger in which they are placed. God has something to give them of vastly more value than gold or silver or precious jewels. The soul needs to be attracted by the things that are of enduring value. They need to understand the value of true goodness. Jesus says unto them, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He asks them to exchange the yoke of their own manufacturing for His yoke, which is easy, and for His burden, which is light. He says, “Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” He is calling: “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink.” “Him that cometh unto Me I will in nowise cast out.”

Those who will listen to the voice of Christ, will recognize the voice of superior goodness, the voice of the True Shepherd. Oh, that the wealthy might feel their responsibility to be faithful stewards of the means which God has entrusted to their care! Oh, that they might understand that they must be agents for God, if they would meet His approval! Oh, that they might know that they were standing upon holy ground, and might be distinguished workers, engaging with Christ in the grand work of elevating those whom Christ died to save! …

He [God] has entrusted riches to the wealthy in order that they may bless humanity, by relieving the wants of the suffering and needy. This is the work that has been committed to them, and in doing this work they are not to feel that they have done some wonderful thing….

He does not intend that one shall have all the luxuries of life, and that others shall cry for bread. All the means entrusted to humanity over and above what is required to supply their own necessities, is entrusted to them for the blessing of humanity.—The Signs of the Times, July 30, 1894.

Further Reflection: Do I see wealthy people as possible candidates for heaven whom God has called me to reach, or do I see a group rich with goods and in need of nothing?

From Jesus, Name Above All Names