The Clio messenger., 1912-12-05

understand how the holy Jesus could
associate with these unholy people.
uor how he could lower himself to
their level The more we know of God.
the more we say. Behold what man
ner of love! 1t was a bitter charge
and . grave accusation concerning
Jesus, and the statement was true. but
not In the way his accusers meant It;
1t was the highest tribute they could
pay Jesus and II contains the most
welcome tidings. The Pharisees were
sincere but they did not understand
Christ, nor his message, nor his mis-
sion. II they had known the scrip
lures and their own hearts they would
have recognized him as the Savior of
the world, received him as such. and
gone on their way rejoicing. What
they uttered In reproach has become
his glory and our greatest blessing.
A Great Prophecy.
When the first sin was committed
in the Garden of Eden there came the
promise that one should come who
would overcome the evil one. This
promise increases In definiteness and
broadens in scope through types. and
symbols, and sacrifices: In character,
and story. and song, until we read
Surely he hath borne our griefs. and
carried our sorrows. But he was
wounded for our transgressions. He
was bruised for our iniquities; the
chastisement Of our peace was upon
him; and with his stripes we are heal
ed. All we like sheep have gone
astray; we have turned every one to
his own way: and the Lord hath laid
on him the iniQuity OF us all. When
the angel announced the incarnation
he said Thou shalt call his name Je-
sus, for he shall save his people from
their SINS" and when the angels pro-
claimed his coming they said "A Sa.
vior, which is Christ the Lord" Jesus
himself bore witness to these state
ments in that jewel For God SO loved
the world. that he gave his only begot-
ten son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish. but have ever
lasting life"
A Glorious Fact.
This man receiveth sinners. He did
and he does-men and women OF the
worst character and reputation. peo-
pie Of every cline and every condi-
tion. Come, let us see. and mediate,
and rejoice. In the days of his flesh
he received a woman who was a sin
ner Luke 7:47): Matthew the tax
gatherer, despised by his own people.
hated by the Romans, but under the
touch of Jesus an apostle and winner
OF others; Mary Magdalene. possessed
of devils. but subdued by Christ and
becoming an ardent follower, Zacch-
eus, once seeking Christ out of curios-
ity and then rejoicing In a salvation
brought to him and his house by the
seeking Savior; the thief Of the cross,
coming at almost the last hour of his
earthly life but repentant and full of
trust in the suffering Savior and re-
ceiving the assurance Of immediate re
ward and blessing; Paul. once Saul OF
Tarsus, prosecuting the church and
making havoc of the saints, changed
by a vision of the ascended lord, be.
coming mighty and unconquerable
missionary Of the cross and saying
OF this same Jesus. This Is a faithful
saying. and worthy Of I'll acceptation.
that Christ Jesus came into the world
to save sinners, of whom I am chief"
Time would fail me to tell OF Angus.
tine changed from sinfulness to sanct
ity; of John Buhyan, the swearing
tinker. becoming faithful preacher
and the author OF that wonderful
book, Pilgrims Progress;" OF Sam
Hadley, changed In moment from a
drunken sot to an ardent believer and
through all his remaining years fam
ing evangel to the outcast and lost:
OF Old Born Drunk, inheriting a pas
sion for drink and apparently hope
less, but so changed by a vision OF
Christ that he became the marvel of
his community and an inspiration to
other outcasts; OF men and women In
your own community who have been
changed from vice to virtue, from law.
lessness to peacefulness, from impur-
ity and dishonesty to purity and up
rightness, from sinners to saints Yer
lily, the testimony Of all the ages since
the day OF this story Is This man
receiveth sinners" There may be
murmurings here, but there are re-
joicings In heaven. There Is Joy in
the presence OF the angels OF God over
one sinner that repenteth."
"sing ~ DER and DER again
Christ rrceiveth sinful men,
Make the message clear and plain,
Christ receiveth sinful men"