Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1918-02-21

OF Jesus Christ.
1t is true that
sometimes q pas
sage of Scripture ~ ~
will present but
one phase of that work; but, taking
the whole Word of God and dividing it
Alright, the full work of Jesus Christ is
presented In this passage that work
is quite fully presented in the three
fold picture given
The Incarnation.
1. The incarnation of Jesus Christ
is clearly presented in the words HE
appeared to put away sin by the sacrf-
fee of himself" The fact Of that ap-
pearance no Christian denies. Just
now the papers are full of war news
about Bethlehem where that appear
ance was made. Why did he appear?
Was it to give to the world the super
man, sample of moral uprightness,
to make possible the sacrificial life, to
provide a victim of the opposition of
wicked men? Some say, yes, to all
this, but this passage says he came
ito put away sin by the sacrifice of
himself" There was a purpose in his
appearing. Elsewhere we are clearly
told that he came into the world ''to
give his life a ransom for many" From
our first notice of the consciousness
of Jesus as to the business on which
his father hath sent him to the last
days of his life when his face was set
on going to Jerusalem to die for the
world, that purpose was the distinct
and dominating principle of his life.
Tn fha to
bear the sins of many" we have the
historical fact of the death of Jesus
Christ. Again, it is most interesting
to note that the daily papers are tell
ing us of the taking of Jerusalem by
the English, the very. location of the
sacrificial atonement- In this offering
we have the fulfilment of the Old Tes-
lament picture of Jesus Christ, as Civ
en- by Isaiah in the fifty-third chap
ter of his prophecies. This was the
accomplishment of the purpose of his
incarnation. Then q fountain was
opened for uncleanness, full provision
being made for the taking away of
the sin of the world
His Second Appearance.
s. But the third part of the work
of, Jesus Christ is presented just as
distinctly as the other two, in the
words, HE shall appear the second
time without sin unto salvation" With,
practical unanimity men are willing to
accept that Jesus Christ appeared at
Bethlehem about nineteen hundred
years ago, that he grew into matur-
ity and died as described in the Bible;
but, when an intimation is given that
hof c 10 oyfI,
time there is immediate skepticism,
and sometimes virulent denial. But
here is the statement as clear as it is
possible to make it-"and shall appear
the second time" The first time he
came as a babe, in an obscure place,
and yielded himself to the opposition
of sinful men even to the sacrifice of
his own life. The second time he
Will appear without sin unto salvation.
The first time he appeared with sin,
being made sin for us that we might
be made the righteousness of God in
him. The second time he is to appear
without sin unto salvation; or, we
might say, unto the completion of sal
walton.
We may conceive of the Son of God
looking on poor, frail man, to whom it
judgment, and saying, 81 will give him
complete salvation He will have
in my salvation something infinitely
beyond what this life can give. In my
second coming I will give him a COM
pleted salvation" 1t is only then that
the graves will open and the bodies
of those who have believed ON him as
an atoning Saviour will rise In perfect
power and honor and glory, and the
living saints will be changed.
The time of this second coming Is
not known, but it is the great event OF
the future, and signs are increasing In
number and significance that that
event is not far distant, and it might
be that in connection with the recov-
cry of Jerusalem where Jesus Christ
was incarnated, where he died. and
from where he assembled into heaven,
that he may come with his saints as
the glorious king. the heir of the throne
Of David. and reign I'm righteousness
forever.