180
The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 3
who slept in weariness in Peter’s fishing-boat; who hungered and
thirsted; who took little children in his arms and blessed them; who
was rejected, scourged, and crucified,—ascended in the form of a man
to Heaven, and took his place at the right hand of God. Having felt our
infirmities, our sorrows, and temptations, he is amply fitted to plead
for man as his representative. Jesus, when upon earth, was the most
perfect type of man; and it is the Christian’s joy and comfort that this
patient, loving Saviour is to be his King and Judge; for “the Father
judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.”
We are not inclined to associate kingly glory and judicial authority
with the self-denial, patience, love, and forgiveness shown in the life of
Christ; yet these attributes qualified the Saviour for his exalted position.
The qualities of character which he developed on earth constitute his
[257]
exaltation in glory. His triumphs were gained by love, not by force. In
coming to Christ the sinner consents to be elevated to the noblest ideal
of man.
“Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” The at-
tributes which exalted Christ, if obtained by his followers, will place
the scepter in their hands, and they shall be kings and priests with God.
Christ pledged himself to keep the law which Adam transgressed, and
to magnify that law and make it honorable by demonstrating that it
was not arbitrary, and could be kept inviolate by man. Christ showed
by his life that the law of God is faultless, and that man, by disobeying
it, brings upon himself the evils which its restrictions seek to avert
from him.
When the disciples returned to Jerusalem alone, people looked at
them, expecting to see in their faces expressions of sorrow, confusion,
and defeat; but they saw there gladness and triumph. They did not wail
over disappointed hopes, but were continually in the temple, praising
and blessing God. The priests and rulers were at a loss to understand
this mystery. After the discouraging events connected with the trial,
condemnation, and ignominious death of their Master, the disciples
were supposed to be defeated and ashamed; but they now came forth
with buoyant spirits, and countenances beaming with a joy not born of
earth.
They told the wonderful story of Christ’s glorious resurrection, and
ascension to Heaven, and many believed their testimony. The disciples
had no longer a vague distrust of the future; they knew that Jesus was in
[258]