Specialized Outreaches
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present to make impressions upon human hearts.—
Welfare Ministry,
71
.
To minister as Jesus did is to minister to the afflicted—But
what a scene met their eyes as they entered again the courts of the
temple. Christ was ministering to the poor, the suffering, and the
afflicted. These had cried in their anguish because they could not find
relief from their affliction and their sin. They had heard of this man
Jesus, they had heard a rumor concerning His compassion and love.
They had heard how He had healed the sick, opened the eyes of the
blind, and made the lame to walk; and one cry for pity went up from
their lips. One after another they began to relate the story of their
affliction, and He bent over them as a tender mother bends over her
suffering child. He bade the sick and the afflicted to come forth into
health and peace. He gave the suffering tender comfort. He took the
little ones in His arms, and commanded freedom from disease and
suffering. He gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, health to
the diseased, and comfort to the afflicted.—
The Review and Herald,
August 27, 1895
.
We have a duty to minister to the poor, lame, halt, and blind—
In His conversation at the table the Lord was not speaking new truth,
advancing new doctrines, or expounding new principles. He was re-
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peating an old commandment which He had previously given to Moses
to be given to them. He wished them to understand that His teachings
in nowise lessened the force of the commandments previously given.
The feasts and the suppers that were given by the priests, the Pharisees,
and rulers, were given merely for selfish enjoyment. They called in
their favorites, their wealthy relatives and friends, who would in their
turn invite them to feasts at their houses, and, if possible, spread before
them more abundant supplies. Jesus sought to extend their vision, to
show them that they had a duty, which was obligatory upon them for
all time, and that was to minister to the poor, the lame, the halt, and
the blind. He also would have them consider the fact that no duty
done to the needy, the afflicted, and the sorrowing, would lose its
reward.—
The Signs of the Times, May 14, 1896
.
Christ answers the prayers of the afflicted by sending His fol-
lowers—He does not work a miracle in sending manna from heaven,
He does not send ravens to bring them food; but He works a miracle
upon human hearts, He expels selfishness from the soul, He unseals the