第02章 基督的生平
§1
第02章 基督的生平
§2
Chapter 2. - The Life of Christ.
§3
耶稣自孩童时期便使自己的生活严格符合犹太律法。祂在青少年时期显出了极大的智慧。上帝的恩典和能力在祂身上。借着先知以赛亚的口说出的主的话，描绘了基督的职责和工作，说明了上帝对祂儿子执行对世人的使命时的庇护和照顾，不许人们因受撒但鼓励而生的无情仇恨阻碍救赎大计的计划。{2SP 30.1}[1]
§4
From his childhood, Jesus conformed his life strictly to the Jewish laws. He manifested great wisdom in his youth. The grace and power of God were upon him. The word of the Lord, by the mouth of the prophet Isaiah, describes the office and work of Christ, and shows the sheltering care of God over his Son in his mission to earth, that the relentless hatred of men, inspired by Satan, should not be permitted to thwart the design of the great plan of salvation. {2SP 30.1}[1]
§5
“看哪，我的仆人，我所扶持、所拣选、心里所喜悦的！我已将我的灵赐给祂；祂必将公理传给外邦。祂不喧嚷，不扬声，也不使街上听见祂的声音。压伤的芦苇，祂不折断；将残的灯火，祂不吹灭。祂凭真实将公理传开。祂不灰心，也不丧胆，直到祂在地上设立公理”（赛42:1-4）。{2SP 30.2}[2]
§6
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my Spirit upon him. He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench. He shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth. {2SP 30.2}[2]
§7
在街上听不到基督与反对祂道理之人剧烈争辩的声音。在街上也听不到祂向祂的父祈祷的声音。听不到祂大声欢笑的声音。祂从不扬声高抬自己，也不去争取人的掌声和奉承。祂在施教时，和门徒离开喧闹混乱的繁忙城市，退到某个僻静的地方，与祂要他们铭记在心的谦卑、虔诚、节操的教训更加和谐。祂远避人的赞美，宁愿选择孤单安宁的隐退而非吵闹混乱的凡人生活。常可听到祂向祂的父恳切有力地代求，可是为此祂选择到孤寂的山上，常常整夜祈求力量，好在祂遭遇试探时支持祂，完成祂来拯救人类的重要工作。祂的祈求非常恳切，常常大声哀哭，流泪祈求。虽然祂的心灵整夜劳苦，祂白天仍不停止工作。早晨祂会安静地继续从事祂仁慈无私仁爱的工作。基督的生活与犹太人的生活形成了显著的对比，正是因为这个原因，他们才想要消灭祂。{2SP 30.3}[3]
§8
The voice of Christ was not heard in the street, in noisy contention with those who were opposed to his doctrine. Neither was his voice heard in the street in prayer to his Father, to be heard of men. His voice was not heard in joyful mirth. His voice was not raised to exalt himself, and to gain the applause and flattery of men. When engaged in teaching, he withdrew his disciples away from the noise and confusion of the busy city to some retired place more in harmony with the lessons of humility, piety, and virtue, which he would impress upon their minds. He shunned human praise, and preferred solitude and peaceful retirement to the noise and confusion of mortal life. His voice was often heard in earnest, prevailing intercessions to his Father; yet for these exercises he chose the lonely mountain, and frequently spent whole nights in prayer for strength to sustain him under the temptations he should meet, and to accomplish the important work he came to do for the salvation of man. His petitions were earnest and mingled with strong cries and tears. And notwithstanding the labor of soul during the night, he ceased not his labor through the day. In the morning he would quietly resume his work of mercy and disinterested benevolence. The life of Christ was in marked contrast to that of the Jews, and for this very reason they wished to destroy him. {2SP 30.3}[3]
§9
祭司长、文士和长老喜爱在最公开的地方祈祷——不仅在拥挤的会堂里，也在街角，好叫人看到，赞美他们的献身和虔诚。他们慈善的行为也是以最公开的方式做的，为的是引人注意。他们确实使街上听见自己的声音，不仅高抬他们自己，而且跟那些与他们在道理上有分歧的人争论。他们是怨恨人、不饶恕人、妄自尊大、傲慢而且顽梗的。主借着祂忠心的先知，说明了基督的生活与假冒为善的祭司长，文士和法利赛人形成了鲜明的对照。{2SP 31.1}[4]
§10
The chief priests, and scribes, and elders, loved to pray in the most public places; not only in the crowded synagogues, but in the corners of the streets, that they might be seen of men, and praised for their devotion and piety. Their acts of charity were done in the most public manner, and for the purpose of calling the attention of the people to themselves. Their voices were indeed heard in the streets, not only in exalting themselves, but in contention with those who differed with them in doctrine. They were resentful and unforgiving, proud, haughty, and bigoted. The Lord, through his faithful prophet, shows the life of Christ in marked contrast to the hypocritical chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees. {2SP 31.1}[4]
§11
耶稣的父母按照犹太律法，每年访问耶路撒冷。他们的儿子耶稣当时十二岁了，陪他们同去。在回家时，他们走了一天的路程之后，因为不见了耶稣，便焦急起来。他们离开耶路撒冷后就一直没见到祂。他们以为祂是与同行的人在一起，便在熟人和亲戚中打听寻找他们所非常喜爱的儿子；却没有线索能找到祂。他们急忙返回耶路撒冷，心情悲伤沉重。他们因一天的疏忽而丢失了自己的儿子耶稣的陪伴，要花三天焦急忧心的寻找才找到祂。这应该给那些正在跟从耶稣的人一个教训。他们若是疏于警醒祈祷，却变得粗心大意，就会在一日之内失去基督；可能要花许多天焦急忧心的寻找才能重新找到祂，享有内心的平安和祂恩典的安慰，就是他们曾因无益的谈论、玩笑、戏谑和恶言恶语或甚至是疏于祈祷而失去的。{2SP 31.2}[5]
§12
The parents of Jesus yearly visited Jerusalem, in accordance with the Jewish law. Their son, Jesus, then twelve years old, accompanied them. In returning to their home, after they had gone a days journey, their anxiety was aroused, as they missed Jesus. He had not been seen of them since they left Jerusalem. They supposed he was with the company. Inquiry and search were made among their acquaintances and relatives for their much-loved son; but no trace could be found of him. They hastened back to Jerusalem, their hearts heavy with sorrow. For one day of neglect they lost their son, Jesus, from their company, which cost them three days of anxious search, with sorrowful hearts, before they found him. This should be a lesson to those who are following Christ. If they neglect watchfulness and prayer, and become careless, they may, in one day lose Christ; but it may take many days of anxious, sorrowful search to find him again, and to enjoy the peace of mind and consolation of his grace that they lost through vain talking, jesting, joking, and evil speaking, or even neglect of prayer. {2SP 31.2}[5]
§13
“过了三天，就遇见祂在殿里，坐在教师中间，一面听，一面问。凡听见祂的，都希奇祂的聪明和祂的应对。祂父母看见就很希奇。祂母亲对祂说：‘我儿！为什么向我们这样行呢？看哪！祢父亲和我伤心来找祢！’耶稣说：‘为什么找我呢？岂不知我应当以我父的事为念吗？’祂所说的这话，他们不明白。祂就同他们下去，回到拿撒勒，并且顺从他们。祂母亲把这一切的事都存在心里。耶稣的智慧和身量，并上帝和人喜爱祂的心，都一齐增长”（路2:46-52）。{2SP 32.1}[6]
§14
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed; and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them; but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. {2SP 32.1}[6]
§15
博士和讲解律法的人总是在特殊的场合公开教导百姓。正是在这些场合中的一个，耶稣显出了祂出众的智慧与洞察力和成熟的判断力的证据。因为基督的父母是穷人，又因祂并没有得到受教育机会，人们就更加感到惊讶了。人们一个接一个地问，这个少年既然从未学过，是从哪得到这种智慧的呢？耶稣的父母在寻找祂时，看到许多人向圣殿涌去。他们进了殿，就注意到儿子熟悉的声音。他们虽因人潮拥挤看不见祂，却知道自己没有听错，因为没有别的声音象祂那样音调严肃而优美。这对父母惊讶地凝视着当时的场面。他们的儿子在庄重饱学的博士和文士中间，藉聪明的问答显出了高超的知识。他的父母看到祂这样受尊敬感到满意。但作母亲的忘不了因为祂逗留在耶路撒冷而使她遭受的忧伤焦虑，便以责备的态度问祂为什么这样待他们，述说了因祂而生的恐惧和悲伤。{2SP 33.1}[7]
§16
The doctors, and expounders of the law, always taught the people publicly upon especial occasions. It was upon one of these occasions that Jesus gave manifest proofs of superior wisdom, penetration, and mature judgment. The people were more surprised because the parents of Christ were poor, and he had not received the advantages of education. The question passed from lip to lip, Whence has this youth such wisdom, having never learned? While the parents of Christ were in search of him, they saw large numbers flocking to the temple; and as they entered it, the well-known voice of their son arrested their attention. They could not get sight of him for the crowd; but they knew that they were not mistaken, for no voice was like his, marked with solemn melody. The parents gazed in astonishment at the scene. Their son, in the midst of the grave and learned doctors and scribes, was giving evidence of superior knowledge by his discreet questions and answers. His parents were gratified to see him thus honored. But the mother could not forget the grief and anxiety she had suffered because of his tarry at Jerusalem, and she, in a reproving manner, inquired why he had thus dealt with them, relating her fears and sorrow on his account. {2SP 33.1}[7]
§17
耶稣说：“为什么找我呢？”这个率直的问题是要引他们看到，他们若是留心自己的职责，就不会不见祂就离开耶路撒冷了。然后祂又说：“岂不知我应当以我父的事为念吗？”他们虽然忘了所委托给他们的照管耶稣的责任，耶稣却在从事祂父的工作。马利亚知道基督指的并不是祂地上的父亲约瑟，而是指耶和华。她把这些事存记在心里，并且因之受益。{2SP 33.2}[8]
§18
Said Jesus, How is it that ye sought me? This pointed question was to lead them to see that if they had been mindful of their duty, they would not have left Jerusalem without him. He then adds, Wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business? While they had been unmindful of the responsible charge intrusted to them, Jesus was engaged in the work of his Father. Mary knew that Christ did not refer to his earthly father, Joseph, but to Jehovah. She laid these things to heart, and profited by them. {2SP 33.2}[8]
§19
他们在与人群一起从耶路撒冷回家时，心里想的尽是交谈和互相访问的事，竟把耶稣忘了一整天。直到白日已尽，他们才注意到祂不在。约瑟和马利亚一直以一种特别的方式受到上帝的尊重，因为照顾救主的责任委托给了他们。天使已向牧羊人宣报了祂的降生，上帝也指示了约瑟的路线，好保存圣婴救主的性命。但乱哄哄的许多谈论使他们忽视了自己的神圣委托，就把耶稣忘了一整天，他们本来是片刻都不应该忘记祂的。他们疲惫地返回耶路撒冷，又悲伤又害怕。他们想起了希律想要消灭以色列的王，恐怖地屠杀无辜婴孩的事。及至他们因找到了耶稣而解除了心中的焦虑时，他们却没有承认自己疏忽职守，反而责备基督——“为什么向我们这样行呢？看哪！祢父亲和我伤心来找祢！”耶稣以极其恭敬的语气问道：“为什么找我呢？”这些话适当地将责备反馈到他们身上，提醒他们：要是他们不容自己全神贯注于不特别重要的事，他们原不会有麻烦寻找祂。然后祂为自己的行为辩护说：“岂不知我应当以我父的事为念吗？”当祂在从事祂来到世上要做的工作时，他们却忽视了祂的父所特别交托给他们的工作。他们虽然不能完全理解基督的话；但马利亚却在很大的程度上明白了这些话的重要性，并且将之存在心里，以后好好思想。{2SP 34.1}[9]
§20
In returning from Jerusalem with the crowd, talking and visiting engrossed their minds, and Jesus was forgotten for an entire day. His absence was not observed until the close of the day. Joseph and Mary had been honored of God in an especial manner, in being intrusted with the responsible charge of the Saviour. Angels had heralded his birth to the shepherds, and God had directed the course of Joseph, to preserve the life of the infant Saviour. But the confusion of much talk had led to the neglect of their sacred trust, and Jesus was not brought to mind for an entire day, by those who should not have forgotten him for a moment. They returned their weary way, sad and fearful, to Jerusalem. They recalled the terrible massacre of innocent children by the cruel Herod in hope of destroying the king of Israel. When their anxiety was relieved by finding Jesus, they did not acknowledge their own neglect of duty, but their words reflected on Christ--Why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. Jesus, in most respectful language, inquires, How is it that ye sought me? But these words modestly reflect back the censure upon themselves, in reminding them that, if they had not permitted themselves to be engrossed with matters of no special importance, they would not have had the trouble of searching for him. He then justifies his course: Wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business? While he was engaged in the work he came to the earth to perform, they had neglected the work his Father had especially intrusted to them. They could not fully comprehend the words of Christ; yet Mary, in a great measure, understood their import, and laid them away in her heart to ponder over in the future. {2SP 34.1}[9]
§21
基督的父母很自然就把祂看成自己的孩子了，象一般的父母看自己的孩子一样，以致他们有丧失宝贵福气的危险，这福气就是有救世主耶稣天天同在陪伴着他们。当基督天天与他们在一起时，祂的生活在许多方面与别的孩子一样，很难使他们总是想着祂的神圣使命和以人性披覆了神性的上帝儿子暂时交给他们作父母照管的每日的福气。祂逗留在耶路撒冷原是要温柔地提醒一下他们的责任，免得他们变得更加漠不关心，丧失上帝曾赐给他们的非常蒙恩的意识。{2SP 35.1}[10]
§22
It was so natural for the parents of Christ to look upon him as their own child, as parents commonly regard their children, that they were in danger of losing the precious blessing which daily attended them in the presence of Jesus, the worlds redeemer. As Christ was daily with them, his life in many respects as other children, it was difficult to keep before them his sacred mission, and the daily blessing of having committed to their charge and parental care, for a while, the Son of God, whose divinity was vailed with humanity. His tarry in Jerusalem was designed of him as a gentle reminder to them of their duty, lest they should become indifferent in a greater degree, and lose the sense of the high favor God had conferred upon them. {2SP 35.1}[10]
§23
在基督的生活中，没有一个行动是不重要的，因为祂生活的每一件事，都是为了祂门徒在今后的好处。基督这次在耶路撒冷的耽搁给相信祂的人一个重要的教训。许多人走了很远的路来守逾越节。逾越节的设立为的是让希伯来人记住他们得到奇妙的拯救离开埃及的事。设计这个节期原是要他们的心思脱离爱世界的兴趣，脱离他们对现世事物的操心挂虑，并且回顾上帝的作为。他们要回想祂所行的奇事，祂对他们的怜悯和慈爱，以便增加他们对祂的敬爱之心，使他们总是指望祂，把他们一切的考验都托付给祂，而不是去求助于别神。{2SP 35.2}[11]
§24
Not one act in the life of Christ was unimportant. Every event of his life was for the benefit of his followers in future time. This circumstance of the tarry of Christ in Jerusalem teaches an important lesson to those who should believe on him. Many had come a great distance to keep the passover, instituted that the Hebrews might keep in memory their wonderful deliverance from Egypt. This ordinance was designed to call their minds from their world-loving interests, and from their cares and anxieties in relation to temporal concerns, and to review the works of God. They were to call to mind his miracles, his mercies and loving-kindness, to them, that their love and reverence for him might increase, and lead them to ever look to him, and trust in him in all their trials, and not turn to other gods. {2SP 35.2}[11]
§25
逾越节的仪式对上帝的儿子来说有一种悲哀的影响。祂在被杀的羔羊中看出了这是象征祂自己的死。举行这个仪式的百姓受教将被杀的羔羊与上帝儿子将来受死联系起来。涂在他们各家门框上的血乃是象征基督的血，这血对信主的罪人是有功效的，会洁净他脱离罪恶，保护他免遭上帝的忿怒，这忿怒要临到世上顽固不信的人，就象曾临到埃及人身上一样。然而无论什么人，若不做主交给他们去做的工作，就不会受益于上帝为拯救人类所做的特别准备。他们自己有本分要尽，他们要用自己的行为表明他们对为他们得救所做准备的信心。{2SP 36.1}[12]
§26
The observance of the passover possessed a mournful interest to the Son of God. He saw in the slain lamb a symbol of his own death. The people who celebrated this ordinance were instructed to associate the slaying of the lamb with the future death of the Son of God. The blood, marking the door-posts of their houses, was the symbol of the blood of Christ which was to be efficacious for the believing sinner, in cleansing him from sin, and sheltering him from the wrath of God which was to come upon the impenitent and unbelieving world, as the wrath of God fell upon the Egyptians. But none could be benefited by this special provision made by God for the salvation of man unless they should perform the work the Lord left them to do. They had a part to act themselves, and by their acts to manifest their faith in the provision made for their salvation. {2SP 36.1}[12]
§27
耶稣了解每一个人的心思。祂知道当成群结队的人从耶路撒冷回去时，一路上互访交谈，缺乏谦和温雅的态度，对于弥赛亚和祂的使命会近乎完全遗忘。耶稣喜爱与祂的父母单独从耶路撒冷回去。这样离去可以让父母有更多的时间思考和默想有关祂将来受苦受死的预言。祂不希望他们在经历祂为世人罪孽舍命的痛苦事件时措手不及，感到意外。他们在返回耶路撒冷的过程中，与祂分离了。过完逾越节以后，他们伤心地寻找了祂三天。当祂为世人的罪孽受害时，祂也要离开他们，使他们失去祂三天。此后，祂要向他们显现，让他们找到祂，信靠祂为堕落人类的救赎主，在天父面前为他们辩护。{2SP 36.2}[13]
§28
Jesus was acquainted with hearts. He knew that, as the crowd returned in company from Jerusalem, there would be much talking and visiting which would not be seasoned with humility and grace, and the Messiah and his mission would be nearly forgotten. It was his choice to return from Jerusalem with his parents alone; for in being retired, his father and mother would have more time for reflection, and for meditation upon the prophecies which referred to his future sufferings and death. He did not wish that the painful events which they were to experience in his offering up his life for the sins of the world, to be new and unexpected to them. He was separated from them in their return from Jerusalem. After the celebration of the passover, they sought him sorrowing three days. When he should be slain for the sins of the world, he would be separated from them, lost to them, for three days. But after that, he would reveal himself to them, and be found of them, and their faith rely upon him as the redeemer of the fallen race, the advocate with the Father in their behalf. {2SP 36.2}[13]
§29
这对于一切跟从基督的人是一个教训。祂计划这些教训一个也不失落，而要为后世之人的利益记录下来。基督徒相聚的时候要谨慎言行，免得把耶稣遗忘了，在不经意间忽视了耶稣不在他们中间的事实。及至他们醒悟过来，发觉他们行路时没有那位能赐给他们心中平安和喜乐的一位相伴。他们在回转的数天中，寻找那位本应时刻留在身边的耶稣。耶稣不会在疏忽祂同在、谈论中不提到他们救赎主的人群中间的。这位救赎主乃是他们所称永生盼望的中心。耶稣不与这样的人同在，遵行祂命令的天使也必如此。这些天上的使者并不受那些心意转离上天事物的人所重视。这些纯净圣洁的生灵，不能留在不希望不追求耶稣同在，也不在意祂不在场的人群中。因为这个原因，才会存在极大的悲哀，忧伤和灰心。因为缺乏默想，儆醒和祷告，他们失去了一切有价值的东西。他们不能享有耶稣身上所发的神圣光芒，受到其仁爱崇高的感化力所鼓舞。他们仍笼罩在幽暗郁闷之中。他们疏忽和不恭的精神，使他们失去了耶稣，并赶走了服役的天使。{2SP 37.1}[14]
§30
Here is a lesson of instruction to all the followers of Christ. He designed that none of these lessons should be lost, but be written for the benefit of future generations. There is necessity of carefulness of words and actions when Christians are associated together, lest Jesus be forgotten of them, and they pass along careless of the fact that Jesus is not among them. When they are aroused to their condition, they discover that they have journeyed without the presence of Him who could give peace and joy to their hearts, and days are occupied in returning, and searching for him whom they should have retained with them every moment. Jesus will not be found in the company of those who are careless of his presence, and who engage in conversation having no reference to their Redeemer, in whom they profess their hopes of eternal life are centered. Jesus shuns the company of such, so also do the angels who do his commands. These heavenly messengers are not attracted to the crowd where minds are diverted from heavenly things. These pure and holy spirits cannot remain in the company where Jesus presence is not desired and encouraged, and his absence not marked. For this reason, great mourning, grief, and discouragement exist. Through lack of meditation, watchfulness, and prayer, they have lost all that is valuable. The divine rays of light emanating from Jesus are not with them, cheering them with their loving, elevating influence. They are enshrouded in gloom, because their careless, irreverent spirit has separated Jesus from their company, and driven the ministering angels from them. {2SP 37.1}[14]
§31
许多人来参加聚会，接受上帝仆人的教训，并因寻求耶稣而大得兴奋和祝福，可是在他们回家以后，并没有比离家前更好，因为他们没有认识到回家后祷告和儆醒的重要性。他们老是为自己的损失而埋怨别人。有些人抱怨上帝，没有认识到造成他们心灵痛苦和黑暗的，正是他们自己。他们不应该怪别人，因为错在他们自己。他们的言语，谈笑和互访没有天上的来宾参与，所以只能怪他们自己。每一个人都有权利挽留耶稣。他们如果这样做，就必谨慎择言，配合以优雅的态度。他们的心思意念也必受到造就，默想天上神圣的事物了。{2SP 38.1}[15]
§32
Many who attend meetings of devotion, and have been instructed by the servants of God, and been greatly refreshed and blessed in seeking Jesus, have returned to their homes no better than they left them, because they did not feel the importance of praying and watching thereunto, as they returned to their homes. They frequently feel inclined to complain of others, because they realize their loss. Some murmur against God, and do not reproach themselves as being the cause of their own darkness, and sufferings of mind. These should not reflect upon others. The fault is in themselves. They talked and jested, and visited away the heavenly Guest, and themselves they have only to blame. It is the privilege of all to retain Jesus with them. If they do this, their words must be select, seasoned with grace. The thoughts of their hearts must be disciplined to meditate upon heavenly and divine things. {2SP 38.1}[15]
§33
上帝献上祂的爱子向堕落人类表明的爱令圣天使吃惊。“上帝爱世人，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们。叫一切信祂的，不至灭亡，反得永生”（约3:16）。圣子原是圣父荣耀所发的光辉，是祂本体的真像。祂具有神性的卓越和伟大。祂本与上帝同等。父喜悦让一切的丰盛都住在祂里面。祂“不以自己与上帝同等的强夺的，反倒虚己，取了奴仆的形像，成为人的样式；既有人的样子，就自己卑微，存心顺服，以至于死，且死在十字架上”（腓2:6-8）。{2SP 38.2}[16]
§34
The love of God, manifested toward fallen man in the gift of his beloved Son, amazed the holy angels. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The Son was the brightness of the Fathers glory, and the express image of his person. He possessed divine excellence and greatness. He was equal with God. It pleased the Father that in him all fullness should dwell. He thought it not robbery to be equal with God. Yet he made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. {2SP 38.2}[16]
§35
人与神在基督里联合起来。祂的使命是要使上帝与人、人与上帝彼此和好。祂的工作是要把有限的和无限的联合起来。这是堕落的人能得到提升的惟一方式，靠着基督之血的功劳，得以与上帝的性情有份。取了人的本性能使基督适合明白人受考验的性质，以及困扰人类的一切试探。天使既不熟悉罪恶，就无法在人受特别考验时与人同感同情。{2SP 39.1}[17]
§36
In Christ were united the human and the divine. His mission was to reconcile God to man, and man to God. His work was to unite the finite with the Infinite. This was the only way in which fallen men could be exalted, through the merits of the blood of Christ, to be partakers of the divine nature. Taking human nature fitted Christ to understand the nature of mans trials, and all the temptations wherewith he is beset. Angels, who were unacquainted with sin, could not sympathize with man in his peculiar trials. {2SP 39.1}[17]
§37
基督离开天庭到世上来受死之前，是比任何天使都高大的。祂威严而可爱。祂开始服务时，只比当时地上的生活的常人略高一点。要是祂以高贵的天上形像来到人间，祂的外表仪容就会吸引人们来归向祂，人们无需运用信心就会接受祂。{2SP 39.2}[18]
§38
Before Christ left Heaven and came into the world to die, he was taller than any of the angels. He was majestic and lovely. But when his ministry commenced, he was but little taller than the common size of men then living upon the earth. Had he come among men with his noble, heavenly form, his outward appearance would have attracted the minds of the people to himself, and he would have been received without the exercise of faith. {2SP 39.2}[18]
§39
上帝的命令是基督应当亲自取了堕落人类的样式和本性，好使祂可以藉着苦难得以完全，亲自忍受撒但猛烈试探的力量，好使祂可以更好地知道如何搭救那些受试探的人。人们对基督是弥赛亚的信心不是依赖眼见的证据，叫他们因祂个人的吸引力而信靠祂，而是因为祂品格的优美，那是从未在另一个人身上见到过，也不可能见到的。凡喜爱美德、纯正和圣洁的人，都会被吸引归向基督，且会看到足够的证据，证明祂就是那预言要来的弥赛亚。凡如此信靠上帝之道的人，都会得到基督的教训和祂最后赎罪的益处。{2SP 39.3}[19]
§40
It was in the order of God that Christ should take upon himself the form and nature of fallen man, that he might be made perfect through suffering, and himself endure the strength of Satans fierce temptations, that he might understand how to succor those who should be tempted. The faith of men in Christ as the Messiah was not to rest on the evidences of sight, and they believe on him because of his personal attractions, but because of the excellence of character found in him, which never had been found, neither could be, in another. All who loved virtue, purity, and holiness, would be drawn to Christ, and would see sufficient evidence of his being the Messiah foretold by prophecy that should come. Those who thus trusted in the word of God, would receive the benefits of the teachings of Christ, and finally of his atonement. {2SP 39.3}[19]
§41
基督来叫众人注意祂的父，教导他们向上帝悔改。祂的工作是叫人与上帝和好。尽管基督没有照着人们所期盼的来到，但祂的降临却正如预言所规划的。那些愿意相信的，通过查考预言就可得到足够的信仰根据，经上预言了那义者的降临，并且描绘了祂降临的方式。{2SP 40.1}[20]
§42
Christ came to call the attention of all men to his Father, teaching them repentance toward God. His work was to reconcile man to God. Although Christ did not come as he was expected, yet he came just as prophecy had marked out that he would come. Those who wished to believe, had sufficient grounds for their faith by referring to prophecy which predicted the coming of the Just One, and described the manner of his coming. {2SP 40.1}[20]
§43
古时的犹太教会是非常蒙恩的上帝子民，主将他们从埃及带出来，认他们为祂自己特殊的产业。那赐给这个民族的许多极大极宝贵的应许，乃是犹太教会的盼望和胆量。他们所倚靠的就在此，并且相信他们必定得救。没有其它民族自称是受上帝的诫命管理的。我们的救主先来到祂自己的人那里，但他们却不接待祂。{2SP 40.2}[21]
§44
The ancient Jewish church were the highly favored people of God brought out of Egypt and acknowledged as his own peculiar treasure. The many and exceeding great and precious promises to them as a people, were the hope and confidence of the Jewish church. Herein they trusted, and believed their salvation sure. No other people professed to be governed by the commandments of God. Our Saviour came first to his own people, but they received him not. {2SP 40.2}[21]
§45
自以为义、骄傲、多疑的犹太人期望他们的救主和君王会披着威严和能力来到世上，强迫一切外邦人顺服祂。他们并不期望祂会蒙受什么羞辱和苦难。他们不愿接受柔和谦卑的耶稣，承认祂是救世主。要是祂光彩地出现，采用世上伟人的权威，而不是取了奴仆的样式，他们就会接受祂敬拜祂了。{2SP 40.3}[22]
§46
The self-righteous, unbelieving Jews expected their Saviour and King would come into the world clothed with majesty and power, compelling all Gentiles to yield obedience to him. They did not expect any humiliation and suffering would be manifested in him. They would not receive the meek and lowly Jesus, and acknowledge him to be the Saviour of the world. Had he appeared in splendor, and assumed the authority of the worlds great men, instead of taking the form of a servant, they would have received and worshiped him. {2SP 40.3}[22]