The Elbert County tribune., 1914-11-27

our Erlef ana carried our BorroWs. yet Wo
Aid esteem him stricken, smitten OF God.
and affiicted.-Isa- 6s:l
Last Sunday we saw J-s.s on trial
before Gentle power. Today's lesson
brings US to the central event of his
saving mission to men. We must
read all four accounts Of this event
attentively. reverently. humbly. for II
cannot be treated even as other
events in the life of cur Lord.
I. The Procession to Calvary, v. ~.
Twas physically exhausted Christ
that left the Judgment hall. A night
of vigil. mocking. buffeting and with
out food since the previous evening
left him too weak to bear the cross.
Then 1t was that a son OF Africa,
Simon OF Cyrene. was Impressed" to
bear the burden. The Romans de-
manded that the victim bear his own
cross. He accepted the human help.
but refused the aid OF the drug. Matt.
1884. Luke gives us at this point the
incident OF the weeping woman. Mark
1923 seems to indicate that Jesus had
to be assisted to the place Of the
cross.
On the crcss.
II. The Place, Calvary, w. 22-27.
Here we see him, the brightness OF
Gods glory and the express image of
his person. the incarnation of truth. in
whom dwelt the fullness of the God
head dbodily-"crucified." Sin has done
its worst. The Scriptures are fulfilled,
Ps. 22:16. Zech. 1910. 1t was neces-
sary for our salvation that he should
die exactly as he did, Gal. $40. 13:
John 3:14; Deut. 21:23. Even the
parting of his garments was prophe-
sled. Ps. 22:1S. The presence of two
malefactors had also been foretold,
lisa. $3.50. 12.
~. Tho Passers-by at Calvary, w.
1882. The people and the priests
Joined in heaping scorn upon him.
Even those that were crucified with
him "reproached him." Yet he loved
them all. There seem to have been
no gibes for the two thieves, John
1919, II Tim. 3:12. The cry Of the
mob now 's save thyself' ". 30).
Twas spoken in mockery, but they
spoke truth. nevertheless: 1t was
necessary for the good shepherd to
give his life for the sheep, John 1911,
and by no means to use his power in
saving himself. They did not believe
on him after the resurrection Of Laza-
rus; is 1t to be believed that they
would have accepted him had he
saved himseIf?" To have saved HIM
self would have been for him to take
himself out Of the hands Of God-an
act OF dlsobedience.
w. The Person on Calvary, w. So
20. In the midst OF this awful scene,
In the confusion of the mingled cry
Of the mob. there is sounded one note
of triumph. As Jesus was thus lifted
up from the earth" John 1882, one
of those, his companions, ceased to
revile him. and cried out, art thou
the Christi" and. to be literal. III SO.
save u.s." The other seems to have
had his vision cleared, for he rebukes
his fellow criminal by saying that
their condemnation was Just reward
for their deeds. Turning to Jesus he
exclaims. Remember me :. In thy
kingdom" The answer was imme-
diate and significant, To-day shalt
thou be with me In paradise" This
is q graphic illustration of the whole
meaning and symbolism of the cross.
In his undying hour the Savior of men
loosed this sinner from his sins and
granted him the right to fellowship
with him In the life beyond.
Jesus hung upon the cross three
hours,
Bearing shame and scoffing rude.
In my place condemned he stood
Sealed my pardon with his blood
HalleluJah what q savior.
His Faith Triumphant.
Then God drew the curtain, for even
he could not look upon that scene uI
Cor. 5:21: Heb. 1:13). We do not
believe the eclipse theory, but rather
that God caused the darkness, anoth-
er illustration of the closeness Of man
and nature, Rom. 8:20, 21 r. v. The
dying cry. my God. my God. why hast
thou forsaken me-" was uttered when
Jesus sensed the full and complete
realization of being separated from
the Father. Death is not annihilation.
but separation. and Jesus was sepa-
rated from God the Father because Of
our sins. lisa. 1856. Yet in that terri
ole moment his faith does not waver,
for he cries. my God" Conscious Of
his personal innocence. but suffering
for the sins of others. his faith Is
triumphant.
This lesson suggests that all who
fstudy II yield themselves to search
Ing determination. Such manifes-
tation of divine love should call forth
Dur utmost confidence and our un-
questioned trust In our divine redeem
tr. The revelation Of the enormity OF
mans sin as seen on Calvary ought