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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
constantly upon these matters had dwarfed their minds and narrowed
the orbit of their lives.
Jesus commenced the work of reformation by bringing himself
into close sympathy with humanity. He was a Jew, and he designed
to leave a perfect pattern of one who was a Jew inwardly. While he
rebuked the Pharisees for their pretentious piety, endeavoring to free
the people from the senseless exactions that bound them, he showed
the greatest veneration for the law of God, and taught obedience of its
precepts.
Jesus rebuked intemperance, self-indulgence, and folly; yet he was
social in his nature. He accepted invitations to dine with the learned
and noble, as well as the poor and afflicted. On these occasions,
his conversation was elevating and instructive, holding his hearers
entranced. He gave no license to scenes of dissipation and revelry,
yet innocent happiness was pleasing to him. A Jewish marriage was a
solemn and impressive occasion, the pleasure and joy of which were
not displeasing to the Son of Man. This miracle pointed directly toward
breaking down the prejudices of the Jews. The disciples of Jesus
learned a lesson of sympathy and humanity from it. His relatives were
drawn to him with warm affection, and when he left for Capernaum,
they accompanied him.
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By attending this feast, Jesus sanctioned marriage as a divine insti-
tution, and through all his subsequent ministry, he paid the marriage
covenant a marked respect in illustrating many important truths by it.
Jesus next proceeded to introduce himself to his own people in
his true character. He went to Nazareth, where he was known as an
unpretending mechanic, and entered a synagogue upon the Sabbath.
As was customary, the elder read from the prophets, and exhorted the
people to continue to hope for the Coming One, who would bring in a
glorious reign, and subdue all oppression. He sought to animate the
faith and courage of the Jews, by rehearsing the evidences of Messiah’s
soon coming, dwelling especially upon the kingly power and glorious
majesty that would attend his advent. He kept before his hearers
the idea that the reign of Christ would be upon an earthly throne in
Jerusalem, and his kingdom would be a temporal one. He taught
them that Messiah would appear at the head of armies, to conquer the
heathen and deliver Israel from the oppression of their enemies.