The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1945-02-22
"What think We of Christi"


what think We of Christi"
There is question that every hu-
man being must answer. Jesus
asked it (Matt 22:42), and each of
US makes some kind of reply.
It is the tOuchstone that tries men.
and churches, organizations and
movements. The answer to it is of
deep Importance, for it determines
character, condition, and destiny for
time and eternity.
Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the
living God, is the center of the en-
tire lesson.
l. Jesus Confessed (16:13-1O.
With His crucifXion now only six
months away, our Lord in prepara-
ton for it is about to make a more
definite claim to Messiahship, and
thus to establish the truth in the
minds of His disciples. He therefore
asks this all important question
about Himself.
First, it is a general query,
'Whom do men say that I ann"
The answer ". 14) indicates that the
common opinion concerning Christ
was a very high one. He had made
an impression on the people of His
time, and this has been true down
through tie ages. Even those who
do not believe on Him admit that
He was the ideal representative
and guide to humanity" or the per-
son before whom everyone would
kneel.' But beautiful tributes to His
character and leadership are worse
than meaningless unless they lead
to a personal confession of Him as
Lord and Saviour.
The question becomes personal as
He asks, "Whom do ye say that
ann" That question no one can es-
cape. We cannot refuse to answer.
Neutrality is impossible. Whatever
we do or say, or do not do or say,
is a decision.
Peters answer is really the sum
and substance Of Christian doctrine.
He recognized Him as the Messiah,
the fulfillment of all Hebrew proph-
ecy, and as the Son of the living
God the Rndonn7or and Saviour IF
men. thn One in whom cen+arc al
Christian faith
TT. Jesus Trarsf;ouraa (17.1-N
AS His amazed disciples looked
on, the eternal, divine glory of the
Son Of God could no longer be hid
den nv tba human body and tba
humble garments of our Lord and
His face did shine as the sum and
His rain1ent WAS white az ioht F."
They saw their behaved Nastor
now for what He really was the Son
of God The +eetin7orv Of petnr vae
no lonoer more words aIthouob ovnr
so blessed His enoech had bean
confirmed bv sioh4 and thew knew
their Master as the Lord Of glory
It is essential in both thn life
and service of = Christian that he
clearly understand tha truth about
Christ His person and His work
When that understanding ie fled nm
with personal vision Of His glory,
there is assurance and mower
The want of such vision avnIains
the lack of zeal for sonl-w;nnino the
ineffec+ivoness of witness the nm
WILLINGNESS to c,ffer or sacrifice for
Christ7s sake "Whcrn thrre is M
vision the neonIa nerish', prov 90.
1877 for want of a witness concerning
the Saviour
III Jesus Tr;umphant (17.4-6>
The crov,nino noint Of tha trans
formation CARO- whom tho voice
smoke ont of tho brioht cIoud and
gave mot onlv tho Fathar,e mnmTal-
fled annrovaj If Chrict hit also His
command that mon Should listen 70
Him and heed He MESSAGE Of re-
dnport;o,,
Note how This word If tho Father
connIntod tho tranefonration In
Itself if ,71ioht bsvn hen Iikenod to
that whirh bannerod n Nocee nv
"a 90 30l VIZ cav Ekened to be-
cauen tho o1orv v,bicb cboved forth
in Tes,s ,Eae }ro,,, u,it1in not met
q rnAnctad Glow
Pit +ho u,orca FROM baover rro-
vide tho concl,,s;va and fn.I wit
nee Tho co i,,1nroeenG Pnter that
be tall-ad Of than, - &c cbor;ebed
,oonoorv ard ,neforn1ina
.