Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1942-06-04


for our transgressions. he was bruised
for our iniquities: the chastisement OF
our peace was upon him; and with his
stripes we are healed.-Isaiah 53:5-
Dark ard distressing days have.
often come upon the earth. but the
darkest day of all history was that
day when cruel men with wicked
hearts laid unholy hands upon the
Sen of God and crucified Him. And
yet, by the grace of God. it was day
of bright hope for the sinful sons Of
men. for on that day complete re-
demption was wrought out. The
veil was rent and the new and living
way into the holy presence OF God
Heb. l0:2O was opened for you
and for me.
The cross is popular as an orna-
ment on a church or on golden
chain, but it is far more than that.
It speaks of the black hour OF the
Saviour's cry, MY God, my God.
why hast thou forsaken me?" and
it also tells us of the One who be-
came sin for US that we might know
the Righteousness of God Gil Cor.
5:2D.
Three thoughts emerge from our
lesson.
1. Crucifxion - Bringing Life
duke 1888, 34a).
There they crucified hirn"-four
words summing up the almost un-
believable thing that took place on
Calvary. He died; but in that death
life and immortality were brought
to light I'll Tim. 1:10D.
AS believers in Christ, we are in
terested in all that took place at
the crucifxion, for we know that
as we contemplate Him on the cross
we can say with Luther For me.
for mel" And yet it was not for US
alone that He died-it was for all
mankind. So we turn to our I'M
converted friends and direct them
1.-The Lamb of God which takeslY
away the sin of the world (John l:
29). He was crucified that they
might live eternally. He who had !
only a plea for the forgiveness Of
His prosecutors ". 34a) teaderly Of
fers His forgiveness to men today.
: ii. Observation-Disclosures Accept.
ance duke %: 34b-43).
Those who appear around the
cross afford an interesting and strik-
ing picture of humanity. There
we're the Indifferent ones, those not
interested at all in who was being (
crucified. but only eager to share
in the division of His garments.
There stood the people behold
ing"-perplexed, unable to believe
that the miracle-working Christ was
about to die. Verify, they were as
sheep without shepherd. IA
Then we see those who scoffed.
They knew His claim to be the Son
of God and hated Him for it. Now
at last they had their chance to rail
at Him, to ridicule and taunt. More
lStlOl oll0 yCt CAOdi1y uClloltC,
we see the hooking soldiers.
Even one of the thieves by His
side ''railed on him. ". 800, ridi-
culing His claim. But here is the
marvellous thing-the other thief,
rough and wicked person that he
was, saw in Christ a Saviour ten
whom he turned in faith, which was
quickly and fully honored (vv. a.
43).
The picture is thus complete. The
Rejected One is 1.-The way to ac-
ceptance for all who believe (John
l4:6). He said, II am the door: by
me Il any man enter in, he shall be
saved John 10:O.
III. Darkness = Bringing Light
luke 23-44, As; Mark 1888, 3N.
Physical darkness fell over the
scene at the cross, ash though all
nature would go into mourning, or
sought to shield the suffering Sa.
viour from the curious and hatefuIN
eyes of men. Then, too, it was Cody
sign that this was not the death df
any ordinary man, even as it spoke
of the judgment of those who had
laid violent, sinful hands on His
Son.
But deeper yet was the spiritual
darkness into which Jesus went, as
bearing the horrible load of the
sins Of the world He was made
sin for US" QT Cor. 5:2I, and God
the Father turned away from Him.
We cannot fathom the full meaning
of that hour, and we dare not at
tempt to explain it. We can only
accept it and thank God that be-
cause He was made sin for us we
may by faith be made the right
eousness of God in him."
Out of the darkness Of that hour
shone forth the one light which
nothing in time or eternity can dim.
Rnufa In Ha nninose