Divine Teacher
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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.
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.
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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 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 the
shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” These