The eternal welfare of sinners regulated the conduct of Jesus. He went about doing good. Benevolence was the life of His soul. He not only did good to all who came to Him soliciting His mercy, but He perseveringly sought them out. He was never elated with applause or dejected by censure or disappointment. When He met with the greatest opposition and the most cruel treatment He was of good courage. The most important discourse that Inspiration has given us, Christ preached to only one listener. As He sat upon the well to rest, for He was weary, a Samaritan woman came to draw water; He saw an opportunity to reach her mind, and through her to reach the minds of the Samaritans, who were in great darkness and error. Although weary, He presented the truths of His spiritual kingdom, which charmed the heathen woman and filled her with admiration for Christ. She went forth publishing the news: “Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” This woman’s testimony converted many to a belief in Christ. Through her report many came to hear Him for themselves and believed because of His own word. {3T 217.3}

Synderens evige krig styrende Jesu handlemåde. Han gik omkring og gjorde godt. Godgørenhed var hans sjæls liv. Han gjorde ikke blot godt mod alle som kom til ham og bad om hans barmhjertighed, men han søgte udholdende efter dem. Han har aldrig været opstemt af bifald eller modløs af kritik eller skuffelse. Skønt han mødte den største modstand og den forfærdeligste behandling var han ved godt mod. Den mest betydningsfulde prædiken som Inspirationen har givet os, Kristus talte kun til en tilhører. Da han satte sig ved brønden for at hvile, for han var træt, kom en samaritansk kvinde for at hente vand, han så en anledning for at nå hendes sind og gennem hende nå Samaritanerne, som var i stor mørke og vildfarelse. Selvom han var træt, frembragte han sit åndelige riges sandheder, som fortryllede den hedenske kvinde og fylde hende med beundring for Kristus. Hun gik ud og kundgjorde nyheden: »Kom og se en mand, som har sagt mig alt det, jeg har gjort; mon han ikke skulle være Kristus?« Denne kvindes vidnesbyrd forvandlede mange til at tro Kristus. Ved hendes beretning kom mange til at høre ham for sig selv og troede på grund af hans egne ord.