The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1914-11-27

Last Sunday we saw Jesus 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 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, mocking, buffeting and with
out food since the previous evening
left him too weak to bear the cross.
Then it 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.
27:34. Luke gives us at this point the
incident of the weeping woman. Mark
1928 seems to indicate that Jesus had
to be assisted to the place of the
cross.
On the Cross.
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 bodily-"crucified." Sin has done
it's 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. $50, IL.
III. The 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. 1912. The cry Of the
mob now is 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 10:11,
and by no means to use his power in
saving himself. They did not believe
on him after the resurrection Of Laza-
rus; is it to be believed that they
would have accepted him had he
saved himself?" To have saved him
self would havelb been for him to take
himself out of the hands Of God-an
act of disobedience.
w. The Person on Calvary, w. 49,
40. 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 1880, one
of those, his companions, ceased to
revile him, and cried out, "Art 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
Remember me in thy
The answer was imme-
date and significant, To-day shalt |
thou be with me in paradise" This
is a graphic illustration of the whole |
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 scofflng 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 III
Cor 5:21; Heb. 1:13). We do not
believe the eclipse theory, but rather
hat God caused the darkness, anoth-
Or illustration of the closeness of man
and nature, Rom 500, 81 r. V. The
lying cry, my God, my God, why hast
.hou forsaken me-" was uttered when
Jesus sensed the full and complete
'ealization of being separated from
he Father. Death is not humiliation,
out separation, and Jesus was sepa-
'ated from God the Father because of
,ur sins, Isa. $3.50. Yet in that terri
,le moment his faith does not waver.
or he cries, my God" Conscious of
lis personal innocence, but suffering
or the sins OF others, his faith is
This lesson suggests that all who
tudy it yield themselves to a search
ng determination. Such a manifes-
alton of divine love should call forth
'ur utmost confidence and our I'M
Questioned trust in our divine redeem
r. The revelation of the enormity of
mans sin as seen on Calvary ought
o fill US with an uncompromising
atred Of sin. The story of the Sa-
ior's sufferings ought to impel US to
constant conflict with sin.
Those who witnessed tho event of
nat day saw him stricken, smitten,"
ut God was in him reconciling the
World to himself