Times-promoter., 1909-12-09

derstanding and definite arrange,
ment between the Master and this
friendly citizen. And yet the man was
not taken unawares; when the two
disciples delivered the request, he
showed them a large upper room fur
nished and ready" If he did not feel
sure, he was expectant, he was hopeful
OF being privileged to entertain the
Master and his disciples that Paschal
eve.
His guest arrived. He and the IL
passed into the guest chamber. But
the man himself did not join them at
table. He had the pure yet half-anx-
ious joy of knowing that they. were in
his house; he might hear their voices
occasionally in conversation. and the
singing OF the last hymn. Yet he was.
In his house, an outsider. He did not
himself partake of that eucharistic
feast of perfect love. Did he feel a
wish to be with them and Of them, or
was he content? Was it enough for
him that Jesus should be in his house?
The question suggests the relation
OF many to Christ. They provide him
with the guest-chamber, and no more.
They do not ignore him, or treat him
with scorn; he is to them, If not al
together lovely, the chiefest among
the thousand, at least admirable. He
Is more than an interesting stranger.
seen passing the door and all but for
gotten. He is in ethe guest-chamber-
within closed doors. His presence
gives distinction to the house. There
is admiration, but it does not lead to
fellowship. He holds the imagination,
but does not exercise sovereign au-
thority in the realm Of conscience. He
is the Christ of history, but not of ex-
perience
Receiving His Grace.
We reach this second stage in such
an experience as this: Il will come in
to him, and will sup with him, and he
with me-" He who entered as guest,
has now become host, and the host
who welcomed him has become his
guest. The door was opened as though
we were showing him grace, but we
soon discover that the grace is all on
his side. He does not despise our pro-
visions -our penitence, our faith, our
better thoughts. But after the journey
and the storm they are scanty fare.
So he brings forth the rich provisions
of his grace, and we are called to sup
with him. We no longer move about
the house, somewhat subdued by the
sense of Divine Guest in the upper
room, catching. as we pass the. door,
whispers ofsholy conversations of deep
revelations; we. have, been invited TO
the place of banquet and of, song,s' III
This is the, Christ of experience
And yet there is an inmost depth Of
experience, which Paul had reached !
when he wrote: Christ livethsfn me. ?.
The host owns the house. Not merely |
he guest chamber is his, but the Sc
,ret key of every room. Every feast
S a sacrament of obedience. To sup
with him is to rise after supper, ana |
,ird ourselves. with the. towel, and |
wash his disciples feet. He Is not only |
he Christ Of the convention and con
erence, but Of the city slum and the
ar-off lonely field in heather twilights.
To grant him the guest chamber
nay, after ALL denote4litt1esmo than
'eligious good nature, which; may be.
Inherited through pious. family tradi-s
ions There is prophets chamber !
n the lives of all who: have. been
brought up in Christian homes. When
le comes to say: Il keep the passover
it thy house," the mere courtesy of de-
,otion may constrain many to let him
,ass into the upper room. They honor
IFS name. they are interested In the /
literary documents of his life,s they
ing his hymns. But he is little more
o them than a marginal Christ. .,,.ag
Sacrifice Is Demanded.
In the living experience of Christ
here must be moral passion One
ever sits down to sup with Christ
Without giving up much. There Is a
fellowship of his sufferings as well as
power of his resurrection. Other en-
may have to be cancelled,
ther visitors dismissed, before the
east of his pardon and peace can be
,orthily partaken 1t is this that to-
ay stops many who admire Christ
rom becoming Christians. In the in
tied guest they begin to recognize
be signs of supreme lordship; and
hey are afraid. Were it only a matter
( sitting down with him at endless
cast there would still be misgiyings;
or his presence creates a moral en-
ironment. But what other claim is
his?--"I am crucified with Christ.
,hrist liveth in me. "He is more than
silent guest In a private room. more