The Character of Christ

At all times and in all places He manifested a loving interest in men and shed about Him the light of a cheerful piety.
He worked to relieve every case of suffering that He saw.
He spoke a word of sympathy here and a word there as He saw men weary, yet compelled to bear heavy burdens.
His life was marked with respect and love for His mother.
The healing power of love went out from Him to the sick and distressed.
He manifested an interest in men's secular affairs.
He spoke with solemn dignity, and both look and tone expressed such earnest love that sinners were not offended as they realized their humiliating position.
His tender compassion fell with a touch of healing upon weary and troubled hearts.
His character expressed love in look and tone and a sweet sympathetic spirit.
When He saw men refuse the message of peace, His heart was pierced to the very depths.
His heart, that loved and pitied, was a heart of unchanging tenderness.
His heart overflowed with love for the whole human race, but He neer became indulgent about sin.
He who taught the people the way to secure peace and happiness was just as thoughtful of their temporal necessities as of the spiritual need.
His love was not circumscribed to race or nation.
He sought not to condemn, but to save. He spoke words of comfort and hope.
He was a lover of children. His gentle and kindly manner won their love and confidence.
His tender, pitying heart was ever awakened to sympathy by suffering.
His enemies read love, benevolence, and quiet dignity in His calm, solemn face.
During every hour of His life upon the earth the love of God was flowing from Him in irrepressible streams.

His Unselfishness
In principle firm as a rock, He revealed the grace of unselfish courtesy in His life.
From His earliest years He was possessed of one purpose: He lived to bless others.
He labored earnestly for humanity
He did not contend for His rights.
He was always sacrificing Himself for the good of others.
He was so emptied of self that He made no plans for Himself.
He was so fully surrendered to the will of God that the Father alone appeared in His life.
He did not manifest selfish sorrow.
His whole life was a life of unselfish service.
He did not think of Himself. His care for others was uppermost in His mind.

His Tactfulness
Jesus carried into His labor cheerfulness and tact.
He reached the hearts of the people by going among them as one who desired their good.
His strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts.
He did not meet argument with argument.
He had tact to meet prejudiced minds.
He made truth beautiful by presenting it in the most direct and simple way.
In all His intercourse with rude and violent men He did not use one unkind or discourteous expression.
When He reproved, His words were spoken with the utmost gentleness.
It was not His purpose to humiliate His opponents.

His Humility and Meekness
He shunned display.
He did not strive for worldly greatness, and in even the lowest position He was content.
He did not contend for His rights.
He weeded all vanity from His life.
He took no measures to bring Himself into notice.
His manners were gentle and unassuming.
In that live there was no noisy disputation, no ostentatious worship, no act to gain applause.
He was never elated by applause nor dejected by censure or disappointment.
He remained true to the humble lot He had accepted.
His every feature expressed gentleness and resignation and the tenderest pity of his cruel foes.

His Patience and Courage
He never manifested an impatient word or look.
In His work He was willing and uncomplaining.
He did not retaliate when roughly used, but bore insult patiently.
He never became discouraged.
He was still of good courage when amid the greatest opposition and most cruel treatment.
He was not impatient even though interrupted and robbed of rest.
He spoke no words of retaliation.
His heart was patient and gentle and would not be provoked.

His Purity
Neither gain nor pleasure, applause nor censure, could induce Him to consent to a wrong act.
He was wise to discern evil and strong to resist it.
He hated but one thing in the world, and that was sin.
He could not witness a wrong act without pain which it was impossible to disguise.
His presence brought a purer atmosphere into the home, and His life was as a leaven working amid the elements of society.
He was the embodiment of purity.
He dwelt among men as an example of spotless integrity.
His language was pure, refined, and clear as a running stream.
He was surrounded with an atmosphere of peace even amid the turbulence of angry enemies.
In the heart of Christ, where reigned perfect harmony with God, there was perfect peace.
His life was a rebuke to men's sins.

His Dignity and Manliness
In principle He was firm as a rock.
He possessed a dignity and individuality wholly distinct from earthly pride and assumption.
He spoke with solemn dignity.
He never purchased peace by compromise.
His enemies read in His calm, solemn face, love, benevolence, and dignity.
Even under disgraceful treatment, He bore Himself with firmness and dignity.

His Diligence and Industriousness
In His industrious life there were no idle moments to invite temptation.
He was perfect as a workman, as He was in character.
He labored earnestly for humanity.
A wise purpose underlay every act of Christ's life on earth.
His life was crowded with labor and responsibility.

His Ministry
He would not enter into controversy, yet His example was a constant lesson.
He passed by no human being as worthless, but sought to apply the saving remedy to every soul.
To the discouraged, sick, tempted, and fallen, Jesus would speak words of tenderest pity, words that were needed and could be understood.
He would not betray secrets that were poured into His sympathizing ear.
He saw in every soul one whom must be given the call to His kingdom.
He did not sermonize as men do today.
As people heard His words, they were warmed and comforted. He spoke of God not as an avenging judge, but as a tender Father.
He had nothing to do with subjects of dissension among the Jews. It was His work to present the truth.
He taught the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority.
He was earnest rather than vehement.
He loved to gather the people about Him under the blue heavens, on some grassy hillside, or on the beach beside the lake.
He rested by faith in His Father's care.
His life was crowded with labor and responsibility; yet how often He was found in prayer.
He taught men not to place themselves needlessly in antagonism to established order.
He was not presumptuous, nor would He rush into danger or hasten a crisis.
It was not His purpose to humiliate His opponents.

–A summary based on Ellen White's The Desire of Ages