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Pastoral Ministry
places thus frequented. It was to this place, when the city of Jerusalem
was hushed in the silence of midnight, that Jesus often repaired for
communion with His Father. When those to whom He had ministered
all the day went every man to his house, Jesus, we read, “went unto
the Mount of Olives.” He would sometimes take His disciples with
Him to this place of retirement, that they might join their prayers with
His. In prayer Christ had power with God, and prevailed. Morning by
morning, and evening by evening, He received grace that He might
impart to others. Then, His soul replenished with grace and fervor,
He would set forth to minister to the souls of men.—
The Signs of the
Times, July 15, 1908
.
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Jesus prayed principally for others—Christ was continually re-
ceiving from the Father, that He might communicate to us. “The word
which ye hear,” He said, “is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.”
“The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” Not
for Himself, but for others, He lived and thought and prayed. From
hours spent with God He came forth morning by morning, to bring the
light of heaven to men. Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy
Spirit. In the early hours of the new day the Lord awakened Him from
His slumbers, and His soul and His lips were anointed with grace,
that He might impart to others.—
The Review and Herald, August 11,
1910
.
Christ’s example shows ministers how to handle buffeting—
Are the ministers of Christ tempted and fiercely buffeted by Satan?
so also was He who knew no sin. Christ, our example, turned to His
Father in these hours of distress. He came to earth that He might
provide a way whereby we could find grace and strength to help in
every time of need, by following His example in frequent, earnest
prayer. If the ministers of Christ will imitate this pattern, they will
be imbued with His spirit, and angels will minister unto them.—
The
Review and Herald, May 19, 1885
.
Love for People
Christ identified Himself with His people—Christ identified
Himself with the necessities of His people. Their needs and their
sufferings were His. He says: “I was an hungered, and ye gave Me
meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye