The daily morning journal and courier., 1904-04-05
THE WOUNDS OF CHRIST.
SERMON BY DR. BAKER AT
 TRINITY CHURCH

Good Friday Discourse on ShFtsps Re-
 turm to Heaven After CruclhxIon-
 The angeIs' Qusstions-Our Wound
 Ing of christ
 "And one shall say unto him, What are those wounds in thy hands? Then he shall answer Those with which was wounded in the house of my friends, s,"-zechariah xIII:6.
 There is much difficulty attached to the interpretation of this passage. Some, taking it in connection with the four verses immediately preceding. have thought that it was the excuse that a false prophet gave for his wounds self inflicted in the barbarous worship of the idol of Baal. But a careful examination shows that the savage lacerations of the body in the worship of Baal were not inflicted on the hands; and that, therefore, this wonderful verse cannot be taken in that connection.
 Other exegetes and learned interpre- ters of the Holy Word tell us that our text must be taken in connection with the first verse of the chapter: 'sIn that day there shall be fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabi- tants of Jerusalem, for sin and for un- cleanness;" ;"-and also in connection with he seventh serse: Awake, O Sword, against My Sheuherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts: Smith the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scat tered" Both these verses are by all exegetes referred to the Messiah that avs to come. The prophecy was won derfully fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
 It is clear, therefore, that the soul of Zechariah was, as it were, carried by the holy spirit into heaven, and, in inn agination and vision, was present on the return to heaven of the Messiah, who should be sent to redeem Israel. The prophet hears the question asked of Christ as He re-enters heaven: What are these wounds in Thy hands?" He then hears the mournful answer: s'Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends
 On thls sad and sacred day, when our hearts are bleeding over the agony of Christss death, let us pray God that He may lift us up into heaven; that we also, by means of quickened and sanctified imagination, may hear and mediate upon this question asked of and answered b. our great Redeemer as He re-enters heaven, which He had volun- tarily left for our sakes.
 We will think first of the question it. self; then of those who asked it; of Christ's answer, and finally of how we would Christ to-day.
 First, as to the prophetic question the heavenly host pronounced to our savior uper Hi return to heaven: What are ti,ese wounds in Thine hands?" Thee ore many different kinds of wounds with which one may be affl,ctc,'; some, shameful in themselves. reflecting last ing failure and disgrace upon him in whom they are; others, glorious. sisni- flying victory and triumph, even though bloody triumph ova~ spiritual fees.
 Some tfrty three ySars oeferc the hosts of heaven had been assembled in the presence of the great throne of God, and the inquiry had been put by Him that sat thereopon: "Who will go to My vineyard to wage war with the pow CTS of darkness andreveal light to man?' "Who will be incarnatsd into all the temptations and struggles of hu- man life in order to inspire man, and so guide him through all the changes and chances of the mortal life, back to his immortal homer" At once the Son of God himself, in all His glory, offers to undertake this self-sacrfcing snis- sion. The angels, the archangels and all the heavenly host, accompany him in royal state to the confines of heaven; and then He starts alone on His lowly mission of mercy.
 This mission of wonderful self-sacri- flee formed the theme, not only of heav- enly conversation, but, (May we not be- 1ieve?) of heavenly prayer also, during all those years of His earthly pilgrim age.
 At last the news spread from one end of heaven to the other that Jesus, the beloved Son of God, is returning to His glorious home. The multitudes leave their God-appointed service and throng about the majestic gate. What has been the issue of His hard struggle with sin and darkness?" "Has He conquered, or has He been, ,conquered?" Eye rivals eye to catch sight of Him. At lengh He appears; but, alas! What Is the meaning of those wounds? Is it possible that He has been conquered? |? Can those wounds be the just punish ment of sins committed? No: thank Godl For then they would have been inflicted, not upon the hands, but upon the body. Are those wounds the result of some hideous disease? Mo- they are gaping wounds, not open sores. Are they the wounds of intense bereave- ment which often mar the face; and even the clenched hands by means of the lacerating nails? Have the affec- tions become so tied to earth that the bands of His heavenly relationship have loosened their hold on Tim? Mo- the light of triumph and of happiness shining in His face shows them the overwhelming joy with which He re- turns to His heavenly home and friends
 What can be the meaning of those wounds? They (the angels) can scarce 1y imagine the possibility of their hav- ing been inflicted on Him who is the very incarnation of love by adversaries. Who could possibly hate their dear Lord? Can it be true that He has cruel enemies? Alas! too true. Those gap ing wounds in the hands and feet can mean only one thing: That He has