228
Christ’s Object Lessons
the largest affairs of life He desires us to reveal to men the principles
of His kingdom.
Christ in His life on earth taught the lesson of careful attention to
the little things. The great work of redemption weighed continually
upon His soul. As He was teaching and healing, all the energies of
mind and body were taxed to the utmost; yet He noticed the most
simple things in life and in nature. His most instructive lessons were
those in which by the simple things of nature He illustrated the great
[358]
truths of the kingdom of God. He did not overlook the necessities of
the humblest of His servants. His ear heard every cry of need. He
was awake to the touch of the afflicted woman in the crowd; the very
slightest touch of faith brought a response. When He raised from the
dead the daughter of Jairus, He reminded her parents that she must
have something to eat. When by His own mighty power He rose from
the tomb, He did not disdain to fold and put carefully in the proper
place the graveclothes in which He had been laid away.
The work to which as Christians we are called is to co-operate
with Christ for the salvation of souls. This work we have entered into
covenant with Him to do. To neglect the work is to prove disloyal
to Christ. But in order to accomplish this work we must follow His
example of faithful, conscientious attention to the little things. This is
the secret of success in every line of Christian effort and influence.
The Lord desires His people to reach the highest round of the ladder
that they may glorify Him by possessing the ability He is willing to
bestow. Through the grace of God every provision has been made for
us to reveal that we act upon better plans than those upon which the
world acts. We are to show a superiority in intellect, in understanding,
in skill and knowledge, because we believe in God and in His power
to work upon human hearts.
But those who have not a large endowment of gifts need not become
discouraged. Let them use what they have, faithfully guarding every
weak point in their characters, seeking by divine grace to make it
strong. Into every action of life we are to weave faithfulness and
loyalty, cultivating the attributes that will enable us to accomplish the
work.
Habits of negligence should be resolutely overcome. Many think it
[359]
a sufficient excuse for the grossest errors to plead forgetfulness. But
do they not, as well as others, possess intellectual faculties? Then they