Divine Teacher
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answers to their queries opened up fields of thought on subjects in
reference to the mission of Christ, which had never before entered
their minds.
The stores of wisdom and the scientific knowledge Christ displayed
in the presence of the wise men, were a subject of surprise to His
parents and brothers; for they knew He had never received from the
great teachers instruction in human science. His brothers were annoyed
at His questions and answers; for they could discern that He was an
instructor to the learned teachers. They could not comprehend Him;
for they knew not that He had access to the tree of life, a source of
knowledge of which they knew nothing. He ever possessed a peculiar
dignity and individuality distinct from earthly pride or assumption; for
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He did not strive after greatness.
After Christ had condescended to leave His high command, step
down from an infinite height and assume humanity, He could have
taken upon Him any condition of humanity He might choose. But
greatness and rank were nothing to Him, and He selected the lowest
and most humble walk of life. The place of His birth was Bethlehem,
and on one side His parentage was poor, but God, the Owner of the
world, was His Father. No trace of luxury, ease, selfish gratification,
or indulgence was brought into His life, which was a continual round
of self-denial and self-sacrifice. In accordance with His humble birth,
He had apparently no greatness or riches, in order that the humblest
believer need not say that Christ never knew the stress of pinching
poverty. Had He possessed the semblance of outward show, of riches,
of grandeur, the poorest class of humanity would have shunned His
society; therefore He chose the lowly condition of the far greater
number of the people. The truth of heavenly origin was to be His
theme: He was to sow the earth with truth; and He came in such a way
as to be accessible to all, that the truth alone might make an impression
upon human hearts.
Christ’s contentment in any position provoked His brethren. They
could not explain the reason of His peace and serenity; and no persua-
sion of theirs could lead Him to enter into any plans or arrangements
which bore the impression of commonness or of guilt. On every occa-
sion He would turn from them, plainly stating that they would mislead
others, and were unworthy of the sons of Abraham. He must set such
an example that little children, the younger members of the Lord’s