Humble Hero

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 pretended piety of the Pharisees and tried to free the people from the senseless rules that bound them. He was attempting to break down the barriers that separated the different classes of society, so that He could bring them all together as children of one family. HH 61.6

Jesus denounced self-indulgence, yet He was social in His nature. He accepted the hospitality of all classes, visiting the homes of rich and poor, educated and ignorant, trying to raise their thoughts from ordinary life to things that are eternal. No shadow of foolish merriment marred His conduct, yet He found pleasure in scenes of innocent happiness. The Son of man did not find the joy of a Jewish marriage displeasing. By attending, Jesus honored marriage as a divine institution. HH 61.7

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 wedding’s gladness pointed to the rejoicing on that day when He will bring home His bride, the redeemed, to the Father’s house. “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” “He will rejoice over you with gladness, ... He will rejoice over you 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 Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’” Revelation 19:6, 7. HH 62.1

Jesus reached the hearts of the people by going among them as Someone who desired their good. He met them in the streets, in private houses, on boats, in synagogues, by the shores of the lake, and at the marriage feast. He showed interest in their everyday lives. His strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts. He prepared for His work among people in their daily life by praying alone in the mountains. From these sessions, He went out to relieve the sick and to break the chains from Satan’s captives. HH 62.2

Jesus trained His disciples by personal contact and association. Sometimes sitting on the mountainside, sometimes beside the sea, or walking with them along the roads, He taught them the mysteries of God’s kingdom. 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, so that they could see how He taught the people. HH 62.3

All who preach Christ’s Word should follow His example. We should not take ourselves out of society, but meet all classes of people where they are. It is not only pulpit preaching that touches people’s hearts with divine truth. Another place to work, every bit as promising, is in the home of the lowly, in the mansion of the great, and in gatherings for innocent social enjoyment. HH 62.4

We will not mingle with the world to unite with them in foolishness. We should never give approval 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. We should put social power, sanctified by the grace of Christ, to good use in winning souls. Let the world see that we want others to share our blessings and privileges, that religion does not make us unsympathetic or demanding. Everyone who has found Christ should minister as He did for the benefit of others. HH 62.5

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 glow with the love of Christ. HH 62.6