"Jesus was the fountain of healing mercy for the world; and through all those secluded years at Nazareth, His life flowed out in currents of sympathy and tenderness. The aged, the sorrowing, and the sin-burdened, the children at play in their innocent joy, the little creatures of the groves, the patient beasts of burden,—all were happier for His presence. He whose word of power upheld the worlds would stoop to relieve a wounded bird. There was nothing beneath His notice, nothing to which He disdained to minister. DA 74.1"
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
The EGW passage describes Jesus's compassion and care for all, including the vulnerable, which aligns with the meek and lowly heart described in Matthew 11:29.
"Thus as He grew in wisdom and stature, Jesus increased in favor with God and man. He drew the sympathy of all hearts by showing Himself capable of sympathizing with all. The atmosphere of hope and courage that surrounded Him made Him a blessing in every home. And often in the synagogue on the Sabbath day He was called upon to read the lesson from the prophets, and the hearts of the hearers thrilled as a new light shone out from the familiar words of the sacred text. DA 74.2"
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."
The EGW passage directly references and expands upon Luke 2:52, describing Jesus' growth in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man. It's a clear and intentional allusion.
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
The EGW passage describes Jesus' ability to sympathize with all, which directly relates to the concept in Hebrews 4:15 that Jesus is a high priest who can be touched by our infirmities. The EGW passage provides an example of this sympathy in action, strengthening the connection.
"Yet Jesus shunned display. During all the years of His stay in Nazareth, He made no exhibition of His miraculous power. He sought no high position and assumed no titles. His quiet and simple life, and even the silence of the Scriptures concerning His early years, teach an important lesson. The more quiet and simple the life of the child,—the more free from artificial excitement, and the more in harmony with nature,—the more favorable is it to physical and mental vigor and to spiritual strength. DA 74.3"
"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:"
Both passages discuss Jesus' humility and self-effacement. Philippians 2:7 speaks of Jesus making Himself of no reputation, while the EGW passage describes His shunning of display and high position. The connection is a thematic parallel, focusing on Jesus' choice to humble Himself.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
Both passages emphasize Jesus' meekness and lowliness. The EGW passage highlights Jesus' quiet life in Nazareth, while Matthew 11:29 directly states His meekness. The connection is thematic, focusing on Jesus' humble nature.
"service just as much when laboring at the carpenter's bench as when working miracles for the multitude. And every youth who follows Christ's example of faithfulness and obedience in His lowly home may claim those words spoken of Him by the Father through the Holy Spirit, “Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth.” Isaiah 42:1 . DA 74.4"
"Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles."
Ellen White directly references Isaiah 42:1 in this passage.