"The Saviour came “to preach the gospel to the poor.” Luke 4:18 . In His teaching He used the simplest terms and the plainest symbols. And it is said that “the common people heard Him gladly.” Mark 12:37 . Those who are seeking to do His work for this time need a deeper insight into the lessons He has given. CT 381.1"
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,"
Ellen White directly references Luke 4:18 in this passage.
"David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly."
Ellen White directly references Mark 12:37 in this passage.
"The words of the living God are the highest of all education. Those who minister to the people need to eat of the bread of life. This will give them spiritual strength; then they will be prepared to minister to all classes of people. CT 381.2"
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
The EGW passage directly echoes the sentiment of John 6:63, emphasizing the importance of spiritual nourishment (the 'bread of life' and 'words of the living God') for spiritual strength and effective ministry. The connection is more than just thematic; it's a direct application of the principle that spiritual words are life-giving.
"Those who are conversant with the classics declare that “the Greek tragedies are full of incest, murder, and human sacrifices to lustful and revengeful gods.” Far better would it be for the world were the education gained from such sources to be dispensed with. “Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?” Proverbs 6:28 . “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.” Job 14:4 . Can we, then, expect the youth to develop Christian character while their education is molded by the teaching of those who set at defiance the principles of the law of God? CT 381.4"
"Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?"
Ellen White directly references Proverbs 6:28 in this passage.
"Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one."
Ellen White directly references Job 14:4 in this passage.