What was the great work which our Lord proposed to accomplish?

“To save a world of sinners lost.”

How did he begin that work?

By laying aside the glory which he had with the Father. “Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor.” Humility, then, was the first blade that shot forth from the seed which was to become a tree, the leaves of which should be for the healing of the nations.

THE “mighty” came down to man’s estate, but the wondrous stoop was within sight, and so far, as we have anything to sacrifice, we are to imitate him. Then the faithful and wise servant will have the household partake of the humility of Christ. He will not be offering them bones of contention, nor setting them examples of arrogance and self-sufficiency; he will not by example nor precept have them partake of the spirit which on one occasion caused certain ones to contend “who should be greatest,” and certain ones at a later date, who should be “leaders.” If any are leaders, and Christ appointed, they will be partaking of this humility, and by every means causing the household to partake of it also.

After humbling himself by taking the body prepared for him, his first act (when the body was mature) was to formally deliver it up to death; and this he signified by making a living picture (his baptism) of his submission to death and consequent sufferings preceding it, and of his resurrection. Here is an important element, that the faithful servant will be giving to the members of the household, though some may think that they can live without it.

His next act was to submit to be led (but of the spirit) into the wilderness to be tempted, to be brought directly in contact with the powers of darkness. To stand as a man alone in the presence of the ruler of the darkness of this world to be tempted.

But why was he tempted? It would not make him any purer nor better surely; he was without sin already.

He came down to the condition of the perfect man; he was the second Adam. THE first Adam with no preference for evil, but having no knowledge of its terrible nature, was tempted and fell, the second Adam, with no preference for evil, but with a knowledge of its awful results, and of the power of God (By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many. Isa 53:11), was as really tempted, and triumphed. He evidently was free and could have yielded; in fact, he was tempted TO yield, but gloriously resisted and vanquished his foe.

Now again we ask, why did he pass through this ordeal?

To show us how to overcome. Being the Captain of our salvation, the Leader of a little band of conquerors, his example was necessary, for through them “all the families of the earth” are to be blessed. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made“…and that seed “is Christ.” Gal 3:16. Now, if we “be Christ’s (if we feed on him and partake of his life), then are we Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Gal 3:29.

Then here is a choice principle for the household to feed on; the knowledge of Christ, or Christ’s knowledge. But, says one, his knowledge was divine, and though he was tempted, he knew he would not be overcome. THAT is just the point we wish to make prominent right here. He has opened for us the way to the same source of knowledge, divine word and spirit, and Christ’s example to feed on.

But, says one, if I could know, as he did, that I would come out of the conflict all right I could endure it too. But you would know that just as surely as he, if you would feed on his knowledge. Here is a bit of it, take it and let it strengthen thine heart when trial comes, as it did his: “God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:13. This is divine knowledge, and just the knowledge that he had. If you believe it and appropriate it, (feed on it) you will triumph just as he did.

But there are many other portions of knowledge that strengthened him for his labor of love and life of suffering, terminating with death, and the same knowledge will so strengthen and support us.

These portions may be summarized under the general term of God’s plan for the salvation of the world. O, how it fired him with love and zeal, and by parable and figure he held it up to the view of those whom he wished to have seen it.

But, says one, did he not wish to have all see it?

No, not then; he only wished to have those see it who would accept the blessed truth. See Matt 13:13,14,15, and Matt 7:6. It was for those referred to by Paul (Acts 13:26), when he said, “Whosoever among you fears God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.” There are yet many persons whose ears are dull of hearing, and such ones would and do trample upon these pearls. This bread of life they reject. Like the Pharisees of old, publicans and harlots will enter the kingdom before them.

This knowledge which so supported him will so support us. Modern Pharisees would withhold from us this love-begotten plan of God; but let the faithful servant give it plentifully to the household of faith.

We said he passed through this ordeal of temptation and suffering to show us how to overcome, giving us the same facilities for overcoming, i.e., knowledge of God’s will and plan, and his Spirit to give us an understanding and to support us.

But was this example for all the world?

O, no, not directly; comparatively few of the world know, or ever knew of it, and but few of those who do, care much about it.

But his mission was twofold, to redeem the whole human race from death by his death (the forfeit of sin), and to be the Leader of a “peculiar people” by his life, and through this “peculiar people” in the “ages to come,” he is to show to the world “the exceeding riches of his grace.” (Eph 2:7). His death for the world (including those who became heirs) entitles them all to life; the same kind of life lost in Adam; this is the “common salvation,” Jude 1:3, and 1 Cor 15:22, and his life vitalizes and raises to a high and glorious condition those who hear and believe (the little flock), those who feed on him, those who appropriate the divine which was in him, and thus are “made partakers of the divine nature.” 2 Pet 1:3,4; Rom 5:10;2 Cor 4:11.

We apprehend that the life of Christ by which we are saved (have life MORE abundantly) is the life principle which manifested itself in a series of loving labors and sacrifices for the good of others, that such a life taken in, lived (eaten), is the begetting (through the spirit) of a higher life – the pledge of immortality. This we understand to be “the faith once delivered to the saints.” Jude 1:3. This is “the meat that endures.” Jesus said, John 4:34, “My meat is to do the will of him that sent me.” THAT was his life, and if we partake of his life on earth, we shall be partakers of his resurrection life – made “like unto Christ’s glorious body.”

Then let the humility, the sufferings, the trials, the labors, and the knowledge, which, by the spirit, supported him – in short, the CHRIST be our daily food; and the faithful and wise servant will be found giving it to the household in due season, and receive the approval of his Lord.” R326