"All around us are heard the wails of a world's sorrow. On every hand are the needy and distressed. It is ours to aid in relieving and softening life's hardships and misery. The wants of the soul only the love of Christ can satisfy. If Christ is abiding in us, our hearts will be full of divine sympathy. The sealed fountains of earnest, Christlike love will be unsealed. PK 719.1"
"But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."
Both passages emphasize compassion for the suffering multitudes. Matthew 9:36 describes Jesus's compassion, while the EGW passage calls for similar compassion and action from believers.
"There are many from whom hope has departed. Bring back the sunshine to them. Many have lost their courage. Speak to them words of cheer. Pray for them. There are those who need the bread of life. Read to them from the word of God. Upon many is a soul sickness which no earthly balm can reach nor physician heal. Pray for these souls. Bring them to Jesus. Tell them that there is a balm in Gilead and a Physician there. PK 719.2"
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;"
Both passages focus on bringing healing and hope to the afflicted. Isaiah 61:1 speaks of binding up the brokenhearted, while the EGW passage calls for comforting the discouraged and leading them to Jesus, the 'balm in Gilead'.
"Light is a blessing, a universal blessing, pouring forth its treasures on a world unthankful, unholy, demoralized. So it is with the light of the Sun of Righteousness. The whole earth, wrapped as it is in the darkness of sin and sorrow and pain, is to be lighted with the knowledge of God's love. From no sect, rank, or class of people is the light shining from heaven's throne to be excluded. PK 719.3"
"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."
Both passages discuss light as a universal blessing. John 1:9 refers to Christ as the true light that enlightens everyone, while the EGW passage speaks of the light of God's love shining on the whole earth.
"The message of hope and mercy is to be carried to the ends of the earth. Whosoever will, may reach forth and take hold of God's strength and make peace with Him, and he shall make peace. No longer are the heathen to be wrapped in midnight darkness. The gloom is to disappear before the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. PK 719.4"
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Both passages emphasize spreading the message of hope and mercy to the entire world. Mark 16:15 is the Great Commission, and the EGW passage directly echoes this call to global evangelism.