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The Ministry of Health and Healing
The Savior made each work of healing an occasion for implanting
divine principles in the mind and soul. This was the purpose of
His work. He imparted earthly blessings to people that He might
influence their hearts to receive the gospel of His grace.
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Christ might have occupied the highest place among the teachers
of the Jewish nation, but He preferred rather to take the gospel to
the poor. He went from place to place that those in the highways
and byways might hear the words of truth. By the sea, on the
mountainside, in the streets of the city, in the synagogue, His voice
was heard explaining the Scriptures. Often He taught in the outer
court of the temple, that the Gentiles might hear His words.
The Prince of Teachers
So different were Christ’s explanations of Scripture from those
given by the scribes and Pharisees that the attention of the people
was arrested. The rabbis dwelt on tradition, human theory, and
speculation. Often that which men had written and taught about the
Scripture was put in place of the Scripture itself. The subject of
Christ’s teaching was the Word of God. He answered questioners
with a plain, “It is written,” “What do the Scriptures say?” “How
do you read?” Whenever an interest was awakened by either friend
or foe, He presented the Word. With clearness and power He pro-
claimed the gospel message. His words shed a flood of light on the
teachings of patriarchs and prophets, and the Scriptures came to the
people as a new revelation. Never before had His hearers perceived
in the Word of God such depth of meaning.
Never was there such an evangelist as Christ. Though He was the
Majesty of heaven, He humbled Himself to take our nature, that He
might meet men and women where they were. To all, rich and poor,
free and bond, Christ, the Messenger of the covenant, brought the
tidings of salvation. His fame as the Great Healer spread throughout
Palestine. The sick came to places where He would pass, that they
might call on Him for help. Others came eager to hear His words
and hoping to be touched by His hand. Thus He went from city
to city, from town to town, preaching the gospel and healing the
sick—the King of glory clothed in the lowly garb of humanity.