Editorial January 14, 2019 Issue

Jesus Christ: Humanity’s model for successful living

Barbara Vining

When he came into his hometown of Nazareth and began teaching in the synagogue, the locals were offended. To them he was just Jesus, the boy who had grown up to become a carpenter. So how could he have such “wisdom” and the ability to do “mighty works” (see Mark 6:1–3)?

Perhaps Jesus would have received a more welcoming reception in Nazareth had he come simply to teach his carpentry skills. Elsewhere, his inspired teaching and healing ministry were reaching into the hearts of individuals who were not narrowly fixed on his human development. They were hungry, as so many people are today, for something more fundamental to their well-being and progress than mere human wisdom. This man was speaking with uncommon spiritual wisdom, relating it in a way that spoke to their deepest concerns and showing the practicality of what he was saying by his works.

This was Jesus Christ, the human representative of God—imparting the wisdom and power of God, who is Love. He uplifted human consciousness, setting people on a path of spiritual progress that improves human lives, while guiding them into ultimate salvation from all mortal limitation and suffering. Christ was Jesus’ spiritual, eternal identity as the Son of God. The human Jesus came to reveal to human beings their own spiritual, true identity as God’s beloved sons and daughters—and how to triumph over human adversities by relying on God’s saving grace.

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Bible Lens—January 14–20, 2019