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S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 7A
before displayed to fallen man, and such meekness as man had never
developed. Never before had there walked among men one so noble,
so pure, so benevolent, so conscious of His Godlike nature; yet so
simple, so full of plans and purposes to do good to humanity. While
abhorring sin, He wept with compassion over the sinner. He pleased
not Himself. The majesty of heaven clothed Himself with the humility
of a child. This is the character of Christ.—
Testimonies for the Church
5:422
.
The life of Jesus was a life in harmony with God. While He was a
child, He thought and spoke as a child; but no trace of sin marred the
image of God within Him. Yet He was not exempt from temptation....
Jesus was placed where His character would be tested. It was necessary
for Him to be constantly on guard in order to preserve His purity. He
was subject to all the conflicts which we have to meet, that He might
be an example to us in childhood, youth, and manhood.—
The Desire
of Ages, 71
.
In taking upon Himself man’s nature in its fallen condition, Christ
did not in the least participate in its sin. He was subject to the infir-
mities and weaknesses by which man is encompassed, “that it might
be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself
took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” He was touched with
the feeling of our infirmities, and was in all points tempted like as we
are. And yet He “knew no sin.” He was the Lamb “without blemish
and without spot.” ... We should have no misgivings in regard to the
perfect sinlessness of the human nature of Christ.—
The Signs of the
Times, June 9, 1898
.
[456]
Christ alone could open the way, by making an offering equal to the
demands of the divine law. He was perfect, and undefiled by sin. He
was without spot or blemish. The extent of the terrible consequences
of sin could never have been known, had not the remedy provided been
of infinite value. The salvation of fallen man was procured at such an
immense cost that angels marveled, and could not fully comprehend
the divine mystery that the Majesty of Heaven, equal with God, should
die for the rebellious race.—
The Spirit of Prophecy 2:11, 12
.
Thus it is with the leprosy of sin,—deep-rooted, deadly, and im-
possible to be cleansed by human power. “The whole head is sick, and
the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head
there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying