Evening star., 1919-04-12

behalf of the stricken nations and the
the war and in the work of reconstruc-
tion has been the principles and prac-
tice of the Lord Jesus. Men who nave
| faced the question presented by the
atrocities of the Hun, Has Christianity
failed?' have come to realize that
Christianity has never been tried and
that the way of salvation for men and
nations can only be found in practlclnS
the religion of Jesus, who alone can
save individuals and civilization now
Jesus came to save men. Inc Son
of Man. which is Christ's favorite
name for himself. historically con-
meets itself with the Messianic proph-
ecy of Daniel. Its meaning has been
a subject of considerable controversy.
The Masters use of it probably COM
pretended not only His humiliation
and death upon the cross as the way
to victory, but all the various tasks
and experiences of His life in the
flesh. which were to him conditions
for His success in saving the world. '
Christ expressed in one verse as
signed for our study from Matthew
the great purpose OF His life and the
value of His death. His mission call
ed for Him not only to spend His life
in service. but also to surrender His
life, and by this surrender provide a
ransom, an objective basis of saliva
ton. and. further as obviating the
SufferingS of many otheS. even
though the sufferings were different
in kind He might fifty say, as He did.
that He gave His life in place of others.
While freedom is not definitely men
toned. it is involved in the thought
of ransom The world through the
sacrifices and sufferings that it has
endured during the world war has
been learning that the Lord Jesus
was correct about suffering. Ours is
vicarious world. Edward Judson
was right when he said: IF we sue
ceed without suffering it is because
some one has suffered before us: II
We suffer without success 1t is be
cause some one will succeed after us
Human iDcoyeniences. discomfort
and suffering demonstrated the needs
of the modern Improvements that
have become necessity with men.
All that our civilization boasts of IN
wealth science. invention. law. itera :
ture, as well as our ideals OF r1Sht
and wrong. have been borne to US on
tide of somebody's trials, toll and
tears.
The title. Son of Man. suggests that
Jesus was not only a man. but the
head of the race. fitted by character
to be the Messiah. The Master did
not protest against the use by Ma.
thanael. Martha or the high priest at
his trial to the title. Son OF God:
which was synonymous with that OF
the Messiah, a usage that was based
upon the second Psalm, and that nnds
its fullest development in the epistle
to the Hebrews.
When Jesus designated Himself as
the "Son of God'' other meanings have
been assigned to the title: Some have
found a merely historical conception
because by divine power he was born
of the Virgin Mary with no earthly
father While the historical fact IS
stated in the Scriptures the use OF the
title referring to the Masters birth is
not found in any reference made OF
the Lord during His lifetime, SO It's
usage must be based upon some other
facts in connection with the lie oi
Christ claimed for Himself unique
relationship with the Father. his
exceptional personal. peculiar rela-
tionship with God, as seen m his
all power in heaven and in earth. and
His reference to His ascension, fur
nishes perhaps the best explanation
of the meaning of the title Son OF
He sustained through His unique union
with the Father enabled Jesus to be the
revealer of God and the savior Of men.
1t was this which constituted Him to
be the 'Son Of God" his only begotten
that God gave to save the world.
In seeking to solve some OF the
problems presented by the titles and
character of Jesus there is danger
that one may fail to understand the
real meaning of salvation. Religion
ritual and organization by seeking
theological explanations of it's mys-
teries. Christians, churches and civil
ization have been robbed OF their
not seen in the Savior's life. labor
and legacy the answer of the human
heart, uttered SO frequently in the
cry Of sorrow. sickness and and SUI suffer, r,
His son is Gods reply to the needs
of humanity. 1t proves thai, He not
Salvation is Gods gift to the world.
It's possession depends upon the in.
dividual acceptance of the unmerited d
favor, through faith in Jesus. Vinet
has well said that faith was not be-
iieving that we were loved; and this
is vital to a true conceptions OF Christ
as our Savior.n Men will love the
Lord when they come to understand
not only from the penalty of sin, but
gives to them a new life.
Through the gateway of suffering
service Jesus calls all men of every
race and nation to follow Him In a
life of self-denial and sacrifice and to
carry on for Him the work of saving
the world. He summons men to Him
self. to accept His ideals, to share His
life, to complete His program for say
ing the lost and perform the task as
signed them in Christian service for
the glory of God and welfare of men.
The great task presented to the
world at this hour is to win the peace
in the work of reconstruction. the
hope of the world is in America, be-
cause here has been given the loftiest
expression of ideals and principles
that, although political, are applica-
tions of the principles of the Lord
Jesus. Every Christian has a part in
that colossal task. Faith in God COM
pels men to act as he were God. Faith
pels the Christian to follow the Mas
ter's program to help save the world
by evangelizing all nations. enlisting
those who are born again in His army
and educating them to observe all
things whatsoever He hath COM
manded.
In carrying on their part in the
great work Christians will be inspired
by the fact that Jesus. the world 8
Savior. has brought to struggling hu-
manity it's greatest reinforcement
| through bringing to men the love.
life and light of God. He is with them
according to His promise in their
work, helping them to save the world
through His gospel. The entrance of
the good news will bring strength to
the weak. knowledge to the ignorant.
love to those who hate, liberty to all
citizens, states and empires that will
try to carry out His program to save
the world.
TT