"Many youth who are thought incorrigible are not at heart so hard as they appear. Many who are regarded as hopeless may be reclaimed by wise discipline. These are often the ones who most readily melt under kindness. Let the teacher gain the confidence of the tempted one, and by recognizing and developing the good in his character, he can, in many cases, correct the evil without calling attention to it. Ed 294.1"
"But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick."
The EGW passage discusses reaching those considered 'incorrigible' with kindness, suggesting that they are not beyond help. This parallels the sentiment in Matthew 9:12, where Jesus implies that those who are 'sick' (spiritually or morally) are the ones who need a physician (himself). Both passages highlight the importance of reaching out to those who are struggling.
"To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
The EGW passage discusses the importance of understanding and helping those who are considered 'incorrigible'. This aligns with the principle in 1 Corinthians 9:22, where Paul states he became all things to all men to save some. Both passages emphasize adapting to others to help them.
"The divine Teacher bears with the erring through all their perversity. His love does not grow cold; His efforts to win them do not cease. With outstretched arms He waits to welcome again and again the erring, the rebellious, and even the apostate. His heart is touched with the helplessness of the little child subject to rough usage. The cry of human suffering never reaches His ear in vain. Though all are precious in His sight, the rough, sullen, stubborn dispositions draw most heavily upon His sympathy and love; for He traces from cause to effect. The one who is most easily tempted, and is most inclined to err, is the special object of His solicitude. Ed 294.2"
"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."
The EGW passage strongly echoes the parable of the prodigal son. The description of God's unwavering love, outstretched arms, and welcoming of the erring directly parallels the father's actions in Luke 15:20. The emphasis on compassion for the 'rough, sullen, stubborn dispositions' further strengthens the connection.
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Both passages emphasize God's compassion and willingness to welcome those who are struggling. The EGW passage expands on the idea of God's love and care for the erring, which aligns with the invitation in Matthew 11:28 to find rest in Him.
"Every parent and every teacher should cherish the attributes of Him who makes the cause of the afflicted, the suffering, and the tempted His own. He should be one who can have “compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.” Hebrews 5:2 . Jesus treats us far better than we deserve; and as He has treated us, so we are to treat others. The course of no parent or teacher is justifiable if it is unlike that which under similar circumstances the Saviour would pursue. Ed 294.3"
"Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity."
Ellen White directly references Hebrews 5:2 in this passage.