Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-04-23
The Times-Dispatch Sunday
Sermon
TIE LIFE THAT JESUS BnouGuT
By j. a. I;ubnnk.

In Him life: and the life was the light
OF men.-John l. J.
And yc will not come to Me- that We might
have life-John W 40
In the first of the above scriptural quota
tons we have the testimony OF John con-
corning Jesus of Nazareth. who was so close
Il the latter in his work and grasped its
meaning so readily that he came to be known
as the beloved dsciple-the disciple upon
""om Jesus leaned with perfect confidence
III 'hc intelligent sincerity of the love pro-
iessed by him for his teacher
The second scripture is the uttcrance OF n
gentle. but sorrowful rebuke by the Son OF
man himself to the Jews among whom and
for whom. he labored with patient hone and
with the sublimest example of courage the
world has perhaps ever witnessed
Inc history of civilization attests that
!to" "'ie 10 'inie men of exceptional intui-
i've insight into the great law Of life. the
truths OF the physical and spiritual world
nave been born OF the family of mcn-wc
cal! them gcniuses. and to the Nazarcnc has
pcc" accorded by a considerable portion OF
humanity something over and beyond that
pu' among all the men of great Intuition ana
OF the capacity. disposition and courage to
riehtiy use his talent for the benefit OF man.
KIND Jesus. perhaps ranks them all
because OF ignorance, deception and suuer-
sutton, the world has been slow In coming
|" understand Him and the great purpos.
that lie had in mind to redeem the world
from conditions then prevailing and I'm time
IN the eternal years to come. to establish
justice AMI equality wherever human life OK
's'ed' as in His mission He was brought
'"'' ~ i'cc With the giant forces in society
that lie had to combat, the realization SLOW
~ da"ncd upon Him that He must yield Him
sell IN martyr to the cause of truth-,o
the cause that will ultimately trIumnh
through the life and light lie bcoueatbcd IN
",e world as its richest legacy In the strug-
t'e l" establish justice and equality in all the
earth.
inc realization that the sacrifice was
necessary was bitter draurht hut uncor,
P'aih'nE!y lie drank 1t to the very dregs In
very truth He gave up His life that that Iifo
might In all the ages to come become the
light OF men"
SLOWLY yet surely. that light is dspclling
the fogs Of Ignorance. deception and SUPER
sutton and is revealing to the world-thc
!owly world. which as II gradually energies
from oppression is quickest to grasp the
truths that He sought to convey-Jcsus of
Nazareth as He was, and what He sought TO
do for humanity
Yes in Jesus was life. and because He
maSnihed that life In the true way He must
more ana more become the light OF men,
ie'' while what is said above as TO the
growing understanding of and influence Of
me Nazareth teacher in the world, the verify
OF MS soTrowful statement. And We will not
come TO Me, that ye might have life" finds
abundant illustration nineteen centuries
"''er Ills martyrdom in the very heart of the
institutions that exist In His name
Here is testimony from Il contemporary
writer that reveals Jesus in His true char
actcr: The life Of Jesus IL carefully studied
presents perfect picture OF simplicity lie
stood for the extreme of everything that is
simple In habits. home. garments and de-
sires' He was more simple than even n nor
Thn
that stand out in all the story of Ills doipr
ana dying are those of the skies. the field
the hillsides and the sea. There are no
palaces, no high feasts no nagcants no splnu-
ana robes. no triumphs in which music and
hags play II part 1t Is all the sinpl.s, sor.
OF everyday doing and being ana ,ybc,cvor
He spoke II was in simple words IL. urged
HIS followers TO keep simple. Except We
become as little children. was one of His
prime njunctions"
Jesus realized that Tho ",,,,co,. =,
high feasts." and ;he splendid robes" were
enjoyed by the few at the expens. az tho ,oi,
ana mol, the privation and suffering the po,r
ing out of the blood of the many
Yet despite this teaching and examine Of
simplicity. ont of which comes the cieorcs,
perception of truth and duty. it does some
times appear as If tina, portion OF the world
which most loudly processes to follow Io.ps
haa determined to practice the very oppositc
OF what He taught. simplicity is being SET
ASIDE more and more. and the coming harvest
is forcshadowcd in the rumblings OF discon
tent in the ranks of the overburdencd mill
!ions Of toiiers. who by fraud are robbed Of
the full rewards of their labor that tho few
might I'VE amid the splendors OF wanton
puTposclcss existence.
The wider the departure from tho snir,,
OF His teachings on the part OF those who orc
coined with power and influence In the 'ac-
INVITES of this life. the sooner will coma m.
general awakening that will be Irresistible in
'S'"o''sh'hs Inc principlcs for whose support
re IN the maturity of early manhood gave IN
His life "'