The threefold aspect of our Lord's human life.
The aspects that need to be so carefully recorded. Two are stated in the text—to do, and to teach; the third we gather from the Gospel itself—to suffer.
I. OUR LORD CAME TO DO. It has been said that "conduct is three-fourths of life;" and upon our Lord's daily life and doings we, first of all, reverently fix our gaze.
1. He came to live; to express in pure, beautiful character, and in sweet, self-denying, helpful intercourse with men, the example of the holy life. Show how this became inspiration for all sincere hearts, and conviction for all self-servers and time-servers.
2. He came to work mighty works. In miracles, of healing and of power, revealing to men the true God and Father, in whom we "live, and move, and have our being;" and making trust in the "living God the Savior" possible for man.
II. OUR LORD CAME TO TEACH. And the teaching was in full harmony with the life, and unfolded the gracious design and mission of the works.
1. He taught the people. As in the sermon on the mount, by his parables, and in the temple porch at Jerusalem.
2. He taught the disciples. By explanation of parable and miracle, by private instructions, by trial missions, and in his modes of dealing with them.
3. He taught his enemies. By severe warnings and denunciations, seeking to arouse the sense of sin, in which alone lies the hope of salvation.
III. OUR LORD CAME TO SUFFER. He could not but suffer personally, in carrying out such a mission; but he, further, suffered mediately and vicariously, as "bearing our sins." For us it "pleased the Lord to bruise him." Conclude by working out the harmony of this threefold aspect, in the light of Christ's perfect and complete obedience to his heavenly Father's will. He did, he taught, he suffered, all that will. And also in the light of our Redeemer's minion as the Savior of the world. He is therein shown to be the perfect Savior.—R.T.