Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 29:115 (Jul 1872)
Article: Christ As A Practical Observer Of Nature, Persons, And Events
Author: Selah Merrill

BSac 29:115 (July 1872) p. 510

Christ As A Practical Observer Of Nature, Persons, And Events

Rev. Selah Merrill

In studying the words and discourses of Christ, one cannot but notice that his mind was intensely practical. It is impossible to find in his teachings and conversations a single visionary or dreamy sentiment. Every thought and statement of his is fresh, vigorous, and pointed. There is also in all that he has said, whether in plain instruction, in reproof, or in sympathy, a healthy tone, which commends his sayings to our ideas of every-day life, as well as especially to our minds and hearts. Although a “carpenter” (Mark 6:3), he was, as we should say, an exceedingly well-informed man on almost all the social and business affairs of the day. His power of observation was very great; and not less was the skill he had in elevating the humblest employment or

BSac 29:115 (July 1872) p. 511

the most ignoble object to the position of a moral teacher, and making it utter some beautiful and surprising lesson,. The style of his teaching was so marked in a certain direction that it could be said: “Without a parable spake he not unto them” (Matt. 13:34). In him this style of teaching reached its highest development. But, in order to manage it even-well, there must be a groundwork of extensive observation and careful study and reflection. One needs not only much and varied information; but his information must be minutely accurate. We will proceed to specify, in general terms, some of the departments with which Christ seems to have been more particularly familiar. We may mention the details of his own trade; the department of agriculture, with which his knowledge seems to have been as extensive as that of a practical husbandman; he was conversant, to some extent, with shipping and sailors, and very conversant with the fisheries of the Sea of Galilee, with the art of fishing, and with the fishermen themselves; also, with the nature and habits of many domestic and other animals; with the social distinctions of the time, from king to beggar; with the prevailing laws and civil customs, both Jewish and Roman; with many sorts of handicraft, and with many of the details of manufacturing and trade; dress and clothing, household utensils and details in regard to housekeeping, physicians and their duties and the care of the sick, customs which made up the social life of the day, soldiers and their weapons, war, crime, legal proceedings and courts of justice, the human body and the function of many of its parts, the busy life of the great cities, and the splendid architecture of the Temple and other public buildings, even nature in its calms and storms, its mountains and quiet landscapes — these, and still othe...