The Detroit times., 1910-11-12

face death, and some of them with
great courage and some with bravado?
All, there is a vast difference be-
tween the Masters standpoint and
ours as respects death. We were
born dying. We never knew perfect
life. We have always known that
there is no escape from death. 1t
was different with Him. His expert
ences on the spirit plane before COM
ing into the world we're all In asso-
citation with life. perfection of life.
I'm Him was Observation-Disclosures.
because he was holy, harmless. unde-
filed and separate from sinners; His
life came not from Adam.
He knew that in His perfection He
had a right to life, II He would live
in perfect accordance with the Divine
requirements. But He knew also that
by special Covenant with God. a
Covenant by sacrifice" He had agreed
to the surrender of all His earthly
rights and to allow His life to be
taken from Him. The Father had
promised Him a great reward OF
glory, honor and immortality through
resurrection from the dead, but this
was dependent upon His absolute
obedience in every partcular-tn
word. in thought, in deed. The Ques-
ton was. Had He been absolutely loyal
to God In every particular? II not,
death would mean TO Him an eternal
extinction OF being, not only the loss
of heavenly glory promised as a re-
ward. but the loss OF everything. Can
we wonder that He did not under
stand? The hour seemed so dark,
and He said, MY soul is exceeding
sorrowful." He knew that He was to
die. He knew that death was neces-
sary. But here, now, looming up be-
fore Him on the morrow was a shame
full execution as a blasphemer, as
criminal, as a violator OF Divine law.
Could IL be possible that In anything.
even slightly, He had taken to Himself
the honor due to the Father? Could
1t be possible that in any degree He
had held back, even in His mind, from
full obedience to the Fathers will
Did this crucifxion as a criminal pos
sibly mean the loss Of Divine favor?
Was II necessary that He should die
thus? Might not this cup OF ignominy
pass? SO He prayed in great
agony. And although the older Greek
manuscripts do not contain the state
ment that He sweat great drops OF
blood. medical science tells us that
such an experience would not have
been at all impossible in a nervous,
strained, mental agony. But we note
the beautiful simplicity OF the state
ment with which His prayer conclud-
ed-'Nevertheless, My Father, not My
will hut TRY will be done"
How childlike and beautiful the
faith and trust. even amidst strenu-
Gus agitation! st. Paul says that He
was heard in the thing which He
feared. How? Code answer came
by angelic hands. An angel appeared
and ministered TO Him-ministered to
His necessity. Are they not all min
istering spirits, sent forth to minister
to those who shall be heirs OF saliva
tion7" (Hebrews I, 14.) We are not
informed in what words this heavenly
ministry was expressed to the Mas
ter in His lowllness and sorrow. Tut
we do know that II must have been
with full assurance OF the Heavenly
Fathers favor and sympathy and love.
He was heard In respect TO the things
which He feared. He received the as
surance that He was well-pleasing 10
the Father; that He had been faith
full TO His Covenant, and that He
would have the resurrection promised.
"Behold the Lamb Of God"
From that moment onward the Mas
ter was the calmest Of all who had
any association with the great events
Of that night and the following day.
Officers, servants, Sanhedrin. priests,
Herod and his men Of war, PLATE and
his soldiers. and the shouting rabble--
all were excited, all were distressed.
Jesus only was calm. This was be-
cause He had the Fathers assurance
that all was we'll between them. AS
This blessed assurance gave the Mas
ter courage. so His followers since
have found that. IF God be for US.
who can be against us?" II we have !
The peace OF God ruling in our hearts, |
Il is beyond all human comprehen-
sion.
Judas the Ungrateful Apostate.
The world is full OF sadly disap- |
characters. In many things |
we all fail Selfshness, meanness. |
perversity, pride, etc. mark the hu. |
man family most woefully. But withal
ran anyone find anything more repre-
hensible than the migrate who would |
betray his best friend?
The world is Of one opinion respect !