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and High Priest
4 And no man takes this honour to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
5 So also Christ glorified not Himself [did not choose] to be made a high priest; but He that said to Him, “You are My Son, today [at His birth] have I begotten You [as a Man and high priest].” [Psalm 2:7].
6 As He says also in another place, “You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” [Psalm 110:4].
7 Who in the days of His flesh [while on earth as a Man], when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him that was able to save Him from [temptation and] death, and was heard in that He feared [to live in His own strength as a Man]; 8 though He were a [the] Son, yet learned He obedience [in humanity] by the things which He suffered; 9 and being made perfect [as a Christian Man], He became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him; 10 called of God a high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
{DA 362.2 – 363.3}
In the estimation of the rabbis it was the sum of religion to be always in a bustle of activity [man’s way]. They depended upon some outward performance to show their superior piety. Thus they separated their souls from God, and built themselves up in self-sufficiency.
The same dangers still exist. As activity increases and men become successful in doing any work for God, there is danger of trusting to human plans and methods. There is a tendency to pray less, and to have less faith.
Like the disciples, we are in danger of losing sight of our dependence on God, and seeking to make a savior of our activity. We need to look constantly to Jesus, realizing that it is His power which does the work.
While we are to labor earnestly for the salvation of the lost, we must also take time for meditation, for prayer, and for the study of the word of God. [God’s way]. Only the work accomplished with much prayer, and sanctified by the merit of Christ, will in the end prove to have been efficient for good.
No other life was ever so crowded with labor and responsibility as was that of Jesus; yet how often He was found in prayer! How constant was His communion with God!
Again and again in the history of His earthly life are found records such as these:
"Rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." Mark 1:35.
"Great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed." Luke 5:15, 16.
"And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." Luke 6:12.
In a life wholly devoted to the good of others, the Saviour found it necessary to withdraw from the thoroughfares of travel and from the throng that followed Him day after day. He must turn aside from a life of ceaseless activity and contact with human needs, to seek retirement and unbroken communion with His Father.
As one with us, a sharer in our needs and weaknesses, He was wholly dependent upon God, and in the secret place of prayer He sought divine strength, that He might go forth braced for duty and trial. In a world of sin Jesus endured struggles and torture of soul. In communion with God He could unburden the sorrows that were crushing Him. Here He found comfort and joy.
In Christ the cry of humanity reached the Father of infinite pity. As a man He supplicated the throne of God till His humanity was charged with a heavenly current that should connect humanity with divinity. Through continual communion He received life from God, that He might impart life to the world.
His experience is to be ours.
"Come ye yourselves apart," He bids us. If we would give heed to His word, we should be stronger and more useful.
The disciples sought Jesus [after their first missionary trip], and told Him all things; and He encouraged and instructed them. If today we would take time to go to Jesus and tell Him our needs [for others], we should not be disappointed; He would be at our right hand to help us. We need more simplicity, more trust and confidence in our Saviour. He whose name is called "The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace;" He of whom it is written, "The government shall be upon His shoulder," is the Wonderful Counselor. We are invited to ask wisdom of Him. He "giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." Isaiah 9:6; James 1:5.
In all who are under the training of God is to be revealed a life that is not in harmony with the world, its customs, or its practices; and everyone needs to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God.
We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart.
When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10.
Here alone can true [Sabbath-keeping] rest be found. And this is the effectual preparation for all who labor for God. Amid the hurrying throng, and the strain of life's intense activities, the soul that is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace. The life will breathe out fragrance, and will reveal a divine power that will reach men's hearts.
oooOooo
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