The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1914-11-27

GOLDEN TEXT-Surely he hath borne
our grief and carried our sorrows: yet we
did esteem him stricken, smitten of God,
and afflicted.-Isa. 1914.
Last Sunday we saw Jesus on trial
before Gentle power. Today's lesson
brings us to the central event of his
saving Caission to men. We must
read ali ruur accounts Of this event
attentively, reverently, humbly, for 1t
cannot be treated even as other
events in the life of our Lord.
!. The Procession to Calvary, v. 81.
Twas a physically exhausted Christ
that left the Judgment hall. A night
of vigil, hooking, buffeting and with
out food since the previous evening
left him too weak to bear the cross.
Then 1t was that 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.
27:34. 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 Cross.
n. 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 bodily-"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, 10;
John 3:14; Deut. 21:23. Even the
parting of his garments was prophe-
sled, Ps. 22:18. The presence of two
malefactors had also been foretold,
lisa. $3.50, IL.
III. The Passers-by at Calvary, w.
1892. 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 is save thyself" ". SO).
Twas spoken in mockery but they
spoke a 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 HIMSELF" To have saved him.
self would have been for him to take
himself out of the hands Of God-an
act Of disobedience.
~. The Person on Calvary, w. SO.
30. 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 1899, one
of those, his companions, ceased to
revile him, and cried out, cart thou
the Christi" and to be literal, IF 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-
diEte and significant, To-day shalt
thou be with me in paradise" This
is a graphic illustration of the whole
meaning and symbolism Of the cross.
In his undying hour the Savior of mep
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 scohlng rude,
In my place condemned he stood
Sealed my pardon with his blood.
Hallelujah what a savior.
His Faith Triumphant.
Then God drew the curtain, for even
he could not look upon that scene (1I
Cor. 5:21; Heb. 1:13). We do not
believe the eclipse theory, but rather
that God caused the darkness, anoth-
~ - A. II o ....-.