The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-11

meaning of his mission, but the pas
sage which forms part of our lesson
Matt. 20. 27-2S) shows clearly that he
then knew that he had come into the
world fer the express purpose of CIV
ing his life as ransom for many.
Jesus had referred TO his death on
other occasions, but here he plainly
tells his disciples that his sacrifice
would be vicarious. ITO him we were
people in captivity to sin and death.
whose lives were forfeited and who
needed to be ransomed On the cross
he suffered and died. and through that
life and suffering and death we may
have forgiveness of sins, and peace
with God"
Christian workers will fnd much in
the example of Andrew and Philip to
encourage them in personal efforts to-
ward winning their friends to Jesus
Christ Think of Andrew, He was
probably not enthusiastically we
reed nothing Of his having accomplish
cd much as a preacher yet it was his
privilege to bring Simon Petor to
Christ. Even II Andrew never did any
other successful work. the bringing of
Simon to Jesus was worth much to the
kingdom of God. Think Of Philip He
was evidently familiar with his Bible,
for he reminded Nathaniel of the
teachings concerning the Messiah OF
Jewish expectation. but .he does not
seem to have tried to argue with his
man. but simply said. Come and see"
John the Baptist referred to Jesus
as the lamb of God" by which he
recognized him as the Messiah of prom
ice, who should take away the "sin of
the world"
The disciples of John addressed Jesus
that day when they followed him to
his abode as Rabbi" which literally
means great. but in common usage at
a 5yen
master. 1t was highly honorable term
Andrew referred to Jesus as Mes
stah,' being the Hebrew equivalent OF
the Greek Christ" both meaning
anointed, All these disciples had been
taught by the Baptist that God s
Amounted One was near at hand, and
had been longing and looking for his
When Philip found Nathanaei he re-
terred to our Lord as Jesus the name
by which he Is best known today TO
his followers, although the other terms
are frequently employed That name
was given TO him before his wondrous
birth. and means Savior The reason
given by the angel for the imposition
of this name on the Virgins son was
because "he shall save his people from
their sins Matt / III.
PERSONAL acquaintance with Jesus
Will do more to convince the skepti-
cat than any amount of arguing or
theorizing. What convinced PhilA of
the Messiahship of Jesus He followed
him and saw. The best way to become
follower of Jesus is TO follow him
The man who will really follow him
tor one day will not want to forsak Ike
hln- Why not test Christ in this
scientific and entirely rational wav-
And what convinced Nathaniel7 The
savior showed him that he understood
him better than he understood himself
He interpreted his souls longings for
MN and offered to satisfy them"
tSpeer1
What matters II n Christ is the
worlds Redeemer. IL do not. for my
self, accept his atoning sacrifice and
put my trust in him. The hope OF flu
tGre happiness at Gods right hand Is
based on personal experience of
grace 1t Will not avail anything for
one TO have been influenced by Christs
moral principles. unless the author of
ttose principles Is enthroned in the
life Of the individual We refer to our
country as Christian land, and that
ls true in large sense vet only those
VINO are Christ's voluntary folIowers
ana subjects have any part I'm his re-
demption. That God is not willing that
any should perish. but that all might
come to a knowledge of the truth, is
enforced in the last verse of our les
son He that spared not his own son
but delivered him TN for us all" Ru,
mere are no conscrfpts in the kingdom
-ol 1od, and unless ono yields hts heart
TO christ, his death will not avan