Patterning After the Master Evangelist
53
He Reinforced the Message—Christ was always ready to answer
the sincere inquirer after truth. When His disciples came to Him for an
explanation of some word He had spoken to the multitude, He gladly
repeated His lesson.—
Letter 164, 1902
.
He Drew by Love—Christ drew the hearts of His hearers to Him
by the manifestation of His love, and then, little by little, as they were
able to bear it, He unfolded to them the great truths of the kingdom.
We also must learn to adapt our labors to the condition of the people—
to meet men where they are. While the claims of the law of God are
to be presented to the world, we should never forget that love, the
love of Christ, is the only power that can soften the heart and lead to
obedience.—
The Review and Herald, November 25, 1890
.
He Restrained Truth—The great Teacher held in His hand the
entire map of truth, but He did not disclose it all to His disciples.
He opened to them those subjects only which were essential to their
advancement in the path of heaven. There were many things in regard
to which His wisdom kept Him silent.
As Christ withheld many things from His disciples, knowing that
then it would be impossible for them to comprehend, so today He
withholds many things from us, knowing the limited capacity of our
understanding.—
Manuscript 118, 1902
.
[58]
In Personal Interviews—The work of Christ was largely com-
posed of personal interviews. He had a faithful regard for the one-soul
audience; and that one soul has carried to thousands the intelligence
received.—
The Review and Herald, May 9, 1899
.
At the Feasts—When invited to a feast, Christ accepted the in-
vitation, that He might, while sitting at the table, sow the seeds of
truth in the hearts of those present. He knew that the seed thus sown
would spring up and bring forth fruit. He knew that some of those
sitting at meat with Him would afterward respond to His call, “Follow
Me.” Ours is the privilege of studying Christ’s manner of teaching as
He went from place to place, everywhere sowing the seeds of truth.—
Manuscript 113, 1902
.
Christ’s Follow-up Plan—Christ sent out His disciples two and
two, [
See also pp. 72-74, “Two and Two.”
] to go to places to which
He would afterward follow.—
Manuscript 19, 1910
.
Was Christ’s Way Right?—The Majesty of heaven journeyed
from place to place on foot, teaching out of doors by the seaside, and