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The Ministry of Health and Healing
Him as their Savior. They were eager to believe that He had come
as a king to establish an earthly reign, but He wanted to turn their
minds from the earthly to the spiritual. Mere worldly success would
interfere with His work.
And the wonder of the careless crowd jarred upon His spirits.
No self-assertion mingled with His life. The homage that the world
gives to position, wealth, or talent was foreign to the Son of man.
Jesus used none of the means that people employ to win allegiance or
command homage. Centuries before His birth it had been prophesied
of Him, “‘He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His
voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, and
the smoking flax He will not quench: He will bring forth justice for
truth.’”
Isaiah 42:2, 3
.
The Pharisees tried to gain distinction by their exacting commit-
ment to rituals, the showiness of their worship, and their charities.
They thought to prove their devotion to religion by making it the
theme of discussion. Disputes between opposing sects were loud
and long, and it was not unusual to hear on the streets the voice of
angry controversy from learned doctors of the law.
In marked contrast to all this was the life of Jesus. In His life
there was no noisy disputation, no ostentatious worship, no act to
gain applause. Christ was hid in God, and God was revealed in the
character of His Son. To this revelation Jesus desired the minds of
the people to be directed.
The Sun of Righteousness did not burst upon the world in splen-
dor to dazzle the senses with His glory. It is written of Christ, “His
going forth is established as the morning.”
Hosea 6:3
. Quietly and
gently the daylight breaks upon the earth, dispelling the darkness
and waking the world to life. So did the Sun of Righteousness arise,
“‘with healing in His wings.’”
Malachi 4:2
.
“‘Behold! My Servant whom I uphold,
My Elect One in whom My soul delights!’”
Isaiah 42:1. See also verses
5-7, 10-12.
“‘I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;
I will lead them in paths they have not known.