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Fundamentals of Christian Education
family, would see nothing in His life or character to justify any evil
deed. You are altogether too particular and peculiar, said the members
of his own family. Why not be as other children? But this could not
be; for Christ was to be a sign and a wonder from His youth, as far as
strict obedience and integrity were concerned.
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Always kind, courteous, ever taking the part of the oppressed,
whether Jew or Gentile, Christ was beloved by all. By His perfect life
and character, He answered the question asked in the fifteenth Psalm:
“Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy
holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and
speaketh the truth in his heart.” In childhood and youth His course
was such that when engaged in work as a teacher, He could say to
His disciples, “If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My
love: even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in
His love.”
As Christ grew older, the work begun in His childhood went on,
and He continued to increase in wisdom, and in favor with God and
man. He did not take the part of His own family merely because they
were related to Him by natural ties; He would not vindicate their case
in a single instance where they had been guilty of injustice or wrong;
but He ever vindicated that which He knew to be truth.
Christ applied Himself diligently to a study of the Scriptures; for
He knew them to be full of precious instruction to all who will make
it the man of their counsel. He was faithful in the discharge of His
home duties, and the early morning hours, instead of being wasted in
bed, often found Him in a retired place, meditating and searching the
Scriptures and in prayer. Every prophecy concerning His work and
mediation was familiar to Him, especially those having reference to
His humiliation, atonement, and intercession. In childhood and youth
the object of His life was ever before Him, an inducement for His
undertaking the work of mediating in behalf of fallen man. He would
see seed which should prolong their days, and the gracious purpose of
the Lord should prosper in His hands.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a
cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which
doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is
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set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising