The Saviour knew that his days of personal effort for men upon earth were numbered. He who read the hearts of men knew that comparatively few would accept him as their Redeemer, acknowledging themselves lost without his divine aid. The Jews were rejecting the very help that God had sent to save them from utter ruin. They were fastening the chains that bound them in hopeless night. They were bringing upon themselves the certain wrath of God for their blind and obstinate wickedness. Hence the grief of Jesus, and his tears and strong cries for his mistaken people, who spurned his love that would shelter them, and his mercy that would save them from the retribution of their sins. Deep emotion shakes that noble form as he keenly realizes the doom of the people he has come to save. In every trial and emergency, Jesus went to his Heavenly Father for help, and, in those secret interviews, received strength for the work that lay before him. Christians should follow the example of their Saviour, and seek in prayer the strength that will enable them to endure the trials and duties of life. Prayer is the Christian’s defense, the safeguard of his integrity and virtue. {2SP 266.2}

Frelseren vidste, at hans dage til at virke for menneskene på jorden var talte. Han, som læste menneskenes hjerter, vidste, at forholdsvis få ville modtage ham som deres Frelser og erkende, at de var fortabte uden hans guddommelige hjælp. Jøderne forkastede den hjælp, som Gud havde sendt for at frelse dem fra den evige fortabelse. De omgav sig selv med lænker, der bandt dem i håbløst mørke. De førte Guds vrede over sig selv ved deres blinde og hårdnakkede ondskab. Derfor sørgede Jesus og opsendte sine bønner med tårer og stærke råb for sit fejlende folk, som foragtede hans kærlighed, der skulle beskytte dem, og hans barmhjertighed, der skulle frelse dem fra de ulykkelige følger af deres synder. Jesus føler sig dybt bevæget og rystet, idet han med smerte betænker den dom, som snart skal overgå det folk, han var kommet for at frelse. Ved enhver prøve og vanskelighed gik Jesus til sin himmelske Fader for at få hjælp, og når han således søgte Gud i løndom, blev han styrket til den gerning, (267) som han skulle udføre. De kristne bør følge deres Frelsers eksempel og søge i bøn at få den styrke, som kan gøre dem skikkede til at udholde livets prøver og udføre dets pligter. Bøn er den kristnes forsvar; den bevarer hans dyd og oprigtighed.