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From Heaven With Love

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    Christ Broke Down Class Barriers

    Jesus began His work by coming into close sympathy with humanity. While He showed the greatest reverence for the law of God, He rebuked the pretentious piety of the Pharisees, and tried to free the people from the senseless rules that bound them. He was seeking to break down the barriers which separated the different classes of society, that He might bring men together as children of one family.HLv 94.1

    Jesus reproved self-indulgence, yet He was social in His nature. He accepted the hospitality of all classes, visiting the homes of rich and poor, learned and ignorant, seeking to elevate their thoughts from commonplace life to things that are eternal. No shadow of worldly levity marred His conduct, yet He found pleasure in scenes of innocent happiness. The joy of a Jewish marriage was not displeasing to the Son of man. By attending, Jesus honored marriage as a divine institution.HLv 94.2

    In both the Old and New Testaments, marriage represents the tender and sacred union that exists between Christ and His people. To the mind of Jesus the gladness of the wedding pointed to the rejoicing of that day when He shall bring home His bride, the redeemed, to the Father's house. “As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” “He will rejoice over thee with joy; ... He will joy over thee with singing.” Isaiah 62:5; Zephaniah 3:17. John the apostle wrote: “I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, ... saying, ... Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.” Revelation 19:6, 7.HLv 94.3

    Jesus reached the hearts of the people by going among them as one who desired their good. He sought them in the streets, in private houses, on boats, in synagogues, by the shores of the lake, and at the marriage feast. He manifested interest in their secular affairs. His strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts. Solitary prayer in the mountains was a preparation for His labor among men in active life. From these seasons He came forth to relieve the sick and to break the chains from the captives of Satan.HLv 94.4

    By personal contact and association Jesus trained His disciples. Sometimes sitting on the mountainside, sometimes beside the sea, or walking with them by the way, He taught the mysteries of the kingdom of God. He did not sermonize. He did not command His disciples to do this or that, but said, “Follow Me.” On His journeys He took them with Him, that they might see how He taught the people.HLv 95.1

    The example of Christ should be followed by all who preach His Word. We should not seclude ourselves, but must meet all classes where they are. Not alone from the pulpit are the hearts of men touched by divine truth. Another field of labor, fully as promising, is in the home of the lowly, in the mansion of the great, and in gatherings for innocent social enjoyment.HLv 95.2

    We shall not mingle with the world to unite with them in folly. We should never give sanction to sin by our words or our deeds, our silence or our presence. Wherever we go, we are to carry Jesus with us. We should all become witnesses for Jesus. Social power, sanctified by the grace of Christ, must be improved in winning souls. Let the world see that we desire others to share our blessings and privileges, that religion does not make us unsympathetic or exacting. Let all who have found Christ minister as He did for the benefit of men.HLv 95.3

    We should never give the world the false impression that Christians are a gloomy, unhappy people. Christ's followers are not statues, but living men and women who are partakers of the divine nature. The light that shines on them they reflect on others in works that are luminous with the love of Christ.HLv 95.4

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