The course of Jesus in this respect was in direct contrast to that of the exclusive leaders of the Jews. They shut themselves up from sympathy with the people, and sought neither to benefit them nor win their friendship. But Christ linked himself with the interests of humanity, and so should those who preach his word. This should not be, however, from a desire to gratify the inclinations for personal enjoyment, or love of change and pleasure; but for the purpose of embracing every opportunity to do good, and shed the light of truth upon the hearts of men, keeping the life pure and uncorrupted by the follies and vanities of society. {2SP 106.3}

Jesu fremgangsmåde i denne henseende var aldeles modsat end de jødiske lederes. De afsondrede sig selv fra al (107) medfølelse med folket og søgte hverken at gøre dem godt eller at vinde deres venskab. Men Kristus viste sans for sine medmennesker interesse, og det bør også de gøre, som forkynder hans ord. Dette skulle imidlertid ikke ske, fordi man ønskede at tilfredsstille lysten til personlige fornøjelser eller af kærlighed til forandring eller nydelse, men for at gribe enhver lejlighed til at gøre godt og lade sandhedens lys skinne ind i menneskenes hjerter, medens man på samme tid bevarer livet rent og ubesmittet af samfundets dårskaber og forfængelighed.