The Meaning of Christ’s Coming

KEY VERSE: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” —John 1:14

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:8-12; John 1:1-5, 9-18

JESUS did not take the attitude that just because the world was going to be converted and blessed with life during the Millennial Age, there was no need to do anything about it now. He was given the privilege of exercising divine power to heal the sick and raise the dead, and this gave great weight to his oral message of good tidings.

The good works of the Master were not occasional incidents, but his life’s habit. He was never too occupied to give heed to the needs of those who came to him for help. Not only did he use the miracle-working power of God, which was at his command, to heal the sick and raise the dead, but he gave of his own strength as well. So unselfishly and generously did he thus give, that his perfect human body was practically worn out at the close of his short ministry of three and one-half years.

In a general way, Jesus’ ministry was on behalf of all Israel. He considered it a privilege to do good unto all, as later suggested by the Apostle Paul. (Gal. 6:10) However, he was particularly interested in his immediate disciples. These were being prepared to carry forward the work of the Gospel Age after the Master returned to heaven, and part of their training was the observance of his life of unselfishness in giving his attention and energy so unstintingly on behalf of others.

The Apostle Peter—through his association with the Master, observing the unselfishness of his life of sacrifice, and the wisdom of his methods, learned well the lesson of love which leads to the laying down of life for others. Peter expressed himself on the subject, saying, “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.”—I Pet. 2:20-22

Jesus said to his disciples, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do.” (John 14:12) Those who are filled with the Master’s spirit of self-sacrifice and are faithful in following him into death by laying down their lives for others will, in the kingdom, share with him in the work of healing all the sick and raising all the dead. The healing of the sick in that day will be permanent, and those who are awakened from the sleep of death shall have the opportunity of living forever if they will be obedient to God’s laws. Thus, all the true followers of Jesus will truly share with him in doing works far greater than those which he performed at his First Advent.

But even now, and in order that we may demonstrate the spirit by which we are controlled, God gives us the opportunity, as ministers of the Word, to do all we can toward the opening of spiritually blind eyes, and unstopping spiritually deaf ears. We also now have use of the Word of reconciliation to cleanse away the leprosy of sin. Those dead in trespasses and sins may even now, by accepting the Gospel message as proclaimed by members of the body of Christ, be awakened to righteousness, and have their mortal bodies quickened by the Spirit to serve the living God.

May the example of Jesus serve as a reminder that there is indeed something good for us to be doing, and that by doing it we may prove worthy to suffer with Christ now, and later to live and reign with him. For this cause Jesus dwelt among us.

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