HE BEHELD THE CITY, AND WEPT
The city was Jerusalem. Not just A city, but THE city. Jerusalem was called "the city of David," "the holy city," "the city of the great King." Jerusalem is God's chosen city -- chosen by God to be the Capital from which Jesus Christ shall one day rule the world with a rod of iron.
Yet, "when Jesus was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it. saying, if thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hidden from thine eyes." He predicted judgment would fall upon her "because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation" (Luke 19:41-44).
The inhabitants of Jerusalem had been visited from on high, Messiah had come, Jesus presented Himself as such; "he came unto his own, but his own received him not." He was their peace, but they failed to recognize Him. No wonder, then, that "he beheld the city, and wept."
There was another city, also spoken of in the Bible. Its name Babel (Genesis 11). Far from being a holy city or a city chosen by God for greatness, this city was destined for destruction. Jerusalem was built to glorify God and to sanctify the name of the Lord in all the earth. Not so Babel. Babel was built by those who said, "Come, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and LET US MAKE US A NAME."
Sounds familiar. Where is there a country or city or town or village today where the citizenry is not wholly dedicated to the proposition: "Let us make us a name"? If Jesus wept because Jerusalem failed to recognize her Messiah, what must be His feelings now as the inhabitants of our world fail to recognize Him as their Savior and Lord?
As in that day, so today: Christ is our Peace. In that day His own nation received Him not. But some did. And "as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12). What will WE do with Jesus? We cannot expect the masses of humanity to receive Him, but we as individuals may do so, in fact MUST do so, if we would reign with Him and live with Him in future glory.
Israel will yet acknowledge her Messiah, when He returns in glory to Jerusalem, to set up His kingdom as Lord of lords and King of kings. They will behold Him whom they have pierced, and repent and believe on Him and be saved. But for us individually, both Jews and Gentiles, today is the day of salvation. If we receive Him, the Father receives us. Christ made this transaction possible by His atoning death on Calvary's cross; there washing us from our sins in his own blood (Revelation 1:5).
-- a.e.g.
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. . . JESUS CHRIST . . .
"Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
-- Acts 4:12.
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THE DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST
( ITS INTERPRETATION )
How shall we interpret the death of Christ?
He died -- there is the fact. But what does it mean? What does it mean to us?
The Bible unfolds the meaning of Christ's death in various terms and ideas.
First, Christ's death was for us A RANSOM. "The Son of man came to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28). A ransom is a purchase price which is paid to redeem something or someone. We were taken captive and living in the slave-market of sin. Christ's death was the purchase price that paid for our release.
Second, His death was for us A REDEMPTION. "We have our redemption through his blood" (Ephesians 1:7). Redemption carries the idea of a release of something or someone by the payment of a price. Our release from sin's enslavement was effected by the death of Christ. His death not only paid the ransom but actuated the release.
Third, His death was for us A PASSOVER SACRIFICE. "For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ" (I Corinthians 5:7). In the Old Testament the passover sacrifice was that sacrifice of a lamb which protected the people from God's judgment, i.e. the death of their first-born. Because of sin we were all under the sentence of death, "for the wages of sin is death." But the death of Christ, our passover sacrifice, protects us from that judgment of God. It is for all who apply it personally.
Fourth, Christ's death was for us A PROPITIATION. "Christ Jesus: whom God set forth to be a propitiation, through faith, in his blood" (Romans 3:24,25). Propitiation literally means "to appease" or "render favorable." In ourselves, with all our sins, we could not appease God nor render ourselves favorable in His eyes. Christ did this for us by His death. His sacrifice was an acceptable one.
Fifth, His death was for us A RECONCILIATION. "We were reconciled to God through the death of his Son" (Romans 5:10). To reconcile means "to change thoroughly." This does not refer to a change in God or even a change in man. God remains holy, but loving; man is still a sinner. The change has to do with relationship. The relationship between God and man was changed through the death of Christ. God and man were brought together. "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself." God has accepted Christ's death for our reconciliation; have we?
Sixth, His death was for us A SIN-OFFERING. "Thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin (or, trespass-offering)" (Isaiah 53:10). The trespass-offering was for Israel in her early history a required sacrifice of "a ram without blemish out of the flock." which would bear the sin of the offerer. Christ, in His death, became that sin-offering. " . . . Who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree."
Seventh, Christ's death was for us A SWEET SAVOR-OFFERING. "Christ gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell" (Ephesians 5:2). Israel under the law was to offer from their cattle "a male without blemish . . . at the door of the tent of meeting." This burnt-offering, offered voluntarily, in the prescribed manner, was "a sweet savor unto Jehovah." Christ offered Himself, voluntarily a sacrifice on the cross, a sacrifice pleasing to God. As the sin-offering, He was smitten of God; as the sweet savor-offering, He was pleasing to God.
What can we say to all of this? There is only one thing left to say: Thank You, Lord Jesus!
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ABSOLUTE SUBMISSION
by A. B. Simpson
In a deaf-mute home a distinguished visitor was watching a review of the classes, when he suddenly requested that he might be permitted to ask a question and have the children answer it on the blackboard. And so he had the question translated into their sign language: "Could any of you children tell why it is that God has permitted you to be so strangely and sadly afflicted by the loss of your natural organs of speech and hearing?"
There was a great silence. The principal was much embarrassed. The teachers, feeling that it was a strange and perhaps improper question to ask, hung their heads.
But one little lad raised his hand, and stepping to the blackboard, wrote: "Even so, Father; for it seemed good in Thy sight."
Tears fell from the eyes of the stranger, and the lesson was never forgotten. This is the foundation of all character and all morals; absolute submission of the will of man to the will of our Father in Heaven.
From "Life of Faith."
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THE SON OF MAN
IT is a blessed fact that there is a Man in heaven in the highest possible glory on the throne of God; and that Man has a heart to enter into everything that concerns His people down here, this risen Son of Man is occupied with a suffering people down here in all the circumstances they have to pass through. When the heart is chilled, yearning for a little warmth, how sweet to turn to the Lord Jesus and feel the warmth of His love! Having loved His own, He loves to the end.
-- Selected.
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THE GATES OF PEARL
by General Hardress
It was during my Indian service -- stirring times, too, rife with mutiny and murder. At that time I had in my regiment a little bugler. I had often noticed him as being too fragile and delicate for the life he had to lead; but he was born in the regiment, and we were bound to make the best of him. His father, as brave a man as ever lived, had been killed in action; his mother, broken-hearted, had just dropped, and died six months later.
About two years later, when Willie Holt was fourteen, the regiment was bivouacking some miles from the camp. One morning an act of grave indiscipline was reported to me. On investigation, the rascally act was traced to the men in the very tent where Willie Holt was billeted, two of them being the worst characters in the regiment. The whole lot were instantly put under arrest, and tried by court martial, when enough evidence was produced to prove that only one of the prisoners was guilty of the crime.
None would own up to being the guilty one, and at last I spoke: "We have all heard the evidence that proves the perpetrator of last night's dastardly act to be one of the men before us"; then turning to the prisoners, I added, "If anyone of you who slept in No. 4 tent last night will come forward and take his punishment like a man, the rest will get off free; but if not, there remains no other alternative but to punish you all -- each man in turn to receive ten strokes of the cat."
For the space of a couple of minutes dead silence followed, then, from the midst of the prisoners, where his slight form had been almost hidden, Willie Holt came forward. He advanced to within a couple of yards from where I sat; his face was pale; a fixed intensity of purpose stamped on every line of it, and his steadfast eyes met mine clear and full. "Colonel," said he, "you have passed your word that if anyone of those who slept in No. 4 tent last night comes forward to take the punishment the rest shall get off scot-free. I am ready, sir; and may I take it now?"
For a moment I was speechless, so utterly was I taken by surprise; then, in a fury of anger and disgust, I turned upon the prisoners. "Is there no man among you worthy of the name? Are you all cowards enough to let this lad suffer for your wrong acts? For that he is guiltless you must know as well as I." But sullen and silent they stood.
Then I turned to the boy, whose patient, pleading eyes were fixed on my face, and never in all my life have I found myself so painfully situated. I knew my word must stand, and the lad knew it too, as he repeated once more, "I am ready, sir." Sick at heart, I gave the order, and he was led away for punishment. Bravely he stood, with back bared, as one -- two -- three -- strokes descended. At the fourth a faint moan escaped his white lips, and ere the fifth fell a hoarse cry burst from the group of prisoners who had been forced to witness the scene, and with one bound Jim Sykes, the black sheep of the regiment, seized the cat, as with choking, gasping utterance he shouted, "Stop it, Colonel, stop it, and tie me up instead. He didn't do it, I did!" and with convulsed and anguished face he flung his arms around the boy.
Fainting and almost speechless Holt lifted his eyes to the man's face and smiled -- yes, a smile. "No, Jim," he whispered, "you are safe now; the Colonel's word will stand." His head fell forward -- he had fainted.
The next day as I was making for the hospital tent where the boy lay I met the doctor. "How is the lad?" I asked. "Sinking, Colonel," he said quickly. "What!" I ejaculated, horrified beyond words. "Yes, the shock of yesterday has been too much for his strength. I have known for some months it was only a question of time," he added; "and this affair has hastened matters." Then gruffly, he exclaimed, "He's more fit for Heaven than earth."
A subdued murmur came from the farther corner of the tent, and the sight that met my eyes I shall never forget. The dying lad lay propped up on pillows, and half-kneeling, half-crouching at his side was Jim Sykes. The change in the boy's face startled me; it was deathly white, but his great eyes were shining with a wonderful strange light.
At the moment the kneeling man lifted his head, and I saw the drops of sweat standing on his brow as he muttered brokenly, "Why did you do it, lad? Why did you?" "Because I wanted to take it for you, Jim," the weak voice answered. "I thought if I did, it might help you to understand a little bit why Christ died for you." "Why Christ died for me?" the man repeated slowly. "Yes, He died for you because He loved you as I do, Jim; only He loves you more. I only suffered for one sin, but the Lord Jesus Christ took the punishment for all the sins you have ever committed. The punishment of all your sins was death, Jim, and He died for you."
"Christ has naught to do with such as me, lad. I'm one of the bad ones; you ought to know that." "But He died to save 'bad ones' -- just them. He said, 'I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.' "Jim," the voice pleaded, "shall He have died in vain? He has poured out His precious life-blood for you. He is knocking; won't you let Him in? Oh! you must -- then we shall meet again." The lad's voice failed him, but he laid his hand gently on the man's bowed head. A choking sob was the only answer, and then for several minutes there was silence.
I felt stirred. I had heard such things once -- long ago. Thoughts of the mother I had idolized came floating back out of the dead past, and the words seemed a faint echo of hers. How long I stood there I know not, but I was aroused by a hoarse cry from the man, and then I saw that the boy had fallen back on his pillow, faint. A few drops of cordial revived him. He opened his eyes, but they were dim, almost sightless, "Sing to me mother," he whispered, " 'The Gates of Pearl' -- I am so tired."
Curious, in a flash, the words came back to me; I had heard them often in that shadowy past, and I found myself repeating them softly to the dying boy:
"Though the path be never so steep,
And rough to walk on and hard to keep
It will lead when the weary road is trod
To the Gates of Pearl -- the City of God."
As the last words fell from my lips his eyes brightened and met mine gratefully. "Thank you -- Colonel," he whispered slowly; "I shall soon be there." His tone of glad confidence seemed so strange, I said involuntarily, "Where?" With a smile he answered, "Why, in heaven, Colonel! The roll-call has sounded for me; the gates are open; the price paid." Then softly, dreamily, he repeated:
"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!"
Sykes came . . . I came . . . will you come?
In "Things Concerning Himself."
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REST IN THE LORD
Rest, weary one, did you not know
That there is rest for you below,
Or did you think that you must wait
Until you enter Heaven's gate
To lay your burdens at His feet
And rest at last? O hark how sweet,
Within the pages of His Word,
The promises our tender Lord
Give to His own! . . . "Come unto Me,
And I will give you rest, all ye
That labor." How the precious theme
Of rest, as lovely as a dream,
Shines from these pages! "Ye shall find
Rest for your souls," for weary mind
And heart. For we which have believed
Do enter into rest. Received,
Appropriated now! He too
Trod weary, dusty roads; He knew
The weight of burdens and the taste
Of bitter tears, and He would haste
To help. He knows we cannot wait
Until we enter Heaven's gate
For rest and peace. He knows -- and so
He gives it to us here and now!
-- Martha Snell Nicholson
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Rest of the weary,
Joy of the sad,
Hope of the dreary,
Light of the glad.
Home of the stranger,
Strength to the end,
Refuge from danger
Saviour and Friend.
-- J. S. B. Monsell.
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PRACTICING GOD'S PRESENCE
Let no one think that God's presence is unreal or impractical, or only for mystics. Many Christians today enjoy the Lord's presence almost constantly. Here are some plain and practical things to do.
1. Read the Word of God often and attentively and meditate thereon. Listen to the Lord's voice in the Word. He will surely speak to the loving heart.
2. Talk to the Lord often and habitually. Don't wait for formal times of prayer. The Lord is by your side if you walk with Him. He is your dearest and greatest Friend. Tell Him your innermost thoughts. Ask Him for help in every difficulty. Nothing is too small to matter with Jesus. Nothing is too great for Him to do.
3. Let praise be the habit of your life. Cultivate the habit of thankfulness in everything. You will be astonished at how much you have to be thankful for.
4. Praise will produce joy, and the joy of the Lord is your strength. The world, the flesh, and the devil do not have much hold on a happy Christian. We can always be joyful in the Lord even if there is nothing else to rejoice in. We joy in the God of our salvation.
5. There is power and ecstasy in worship. Worship God! Think of Father, Son, and Spirit and your wonderful relationship to each Divine Person.
6. Take times of quietness before God. Say, "Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth." God does speak to attentive hearts. Our memories are wonderful storehouses of God's Word. If you have read the Bible through several times, it is all filed away for the Spirit of God to call to remembrance as may be needed.
7. The daily routine should be planned to constantly recognize God's presence. At night we read the Word and pray just before going to sleep. Our last conscious thoughts sink into the subconscious to affect our future thinking. If we wake during the night, we say, "Lord hast Thou something to say to me?" He often does. It is a good habit to wake before rising time to commune with God. The whole person is at rest and the Spirit calls to mind His plans for the day. It is good to begin each conscious day with praise. "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Early in the morning my song shall rise to Thee."
Consciousness of God's presence is the supreme stabilizing influence of a Christian's life. If I am in His presence, success will not spoil me, neither will trials get me down. I can do all things, or bear all things, through Christ who strengthens me.
To walk with God is the "Blessed Life" and the most wonderful thing about it is that it leads to Heaven and eternal glory. "In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."
From a tract published by "Good News Publishers," Westchester, IL.
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Just at the point where human science and human philosophy break down, Christ enters; and by the pathway of His perfect life, and the mystery of His atoning death, and the victory of His triumphant resurrection takes hold of human life, and saving man, enables him to do the things he could not do, and makes him master of the forces that mastered him. Christ is a perfect Saviour because He is a perfect Person, who through the process of the suffering of His death has provided a new force for the remaking of the ruined.
-- G. Campbell Morgan.
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IN CHRIST I HAVE
Love that can never be fathomed.
Life that can never die.
Righteousness that can never be tarnished.
Peace that cannot be understood.
Rest that can never be disturbed.
Joy that can never be diminished.
Hope that can never be disappointed.
Glory that can never be clouded.
Light that can never be darkened.
Happiness that can never be interrupted.
Strength that can never be enfeebled.
Purity that can never be defiled.
Beauty that can never be marred.
Wisdom that can never be baffled.
Resources that can never be exhausted.
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THE FIRST SIN
Sin is a fact of life. Everyone has sinned. The reality of sin must be faced and dealt with by each of us. Sin brings forth death, and death ushers into hell. But where did it all begin? By whom was the first sin committed?
The first sin was committed by one called Lucifer, son of the morning, anointed cherub that covereth, better known to us as "that old serpent, who is the Devil and Satan."
His sin was pride. He was a created being, beautiful and wise, and apparently of high rank in the government of God. However, he thought too highly of himself. His heart was lifted up and he began to boast of his superiority even over his Creator. He said in his heart, "I will ascend . . . I will exalt my throne . . . I will sit also upon the mount . . . I will ascend above . . . I will be like the Most High." And this was his undoing. For God said, "Yet thou shalt be brought down to sheol."
Pride. Somehow today we have made it something of a virtue. We encourage pride of place, pride of race, and pride of face. We consider a man something less than a man if he lacks pride. It is said that when you destroy a man's pride, you destroy the man himself. We are told to be proud of what we are, and to be proud of what we do. We are proud of our accomplishments in space, in medicine, engineering, and a host of other things.
What has made this original sin respectable? Man has done with it what he has done with other types of sin, he has painted it white (or at least gray) rather than black as it originally appeared. Certainly God does not call pride a virtue or give it any respectability. He declares in no uncertain terms in Proverbs 8:13 -- "Pride . . . do I hate." And in 16:5 -- "Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord."
"God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves, therefore, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you . . . Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James 4:6,7,10). "Be clothed with humility . . . Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time" (I Peter 5:5,6).
Pride is keeping people from God. It is what drove Lucifer from God's presence; it is what will separate you from God forever, unless you forsake it and turn in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ your only Saviour. The Pharisee's heart was lifted up with pride as he prayed and reminded God of all his virtues, while the repentant publican could only smite upon his breast and plead, "God be merciful to me a sinner" (See Luke 18:9). Jesus said, "This man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
If you want to be justified by God, you must recognize your sinful pride for what it is, and cast yourself upon God's mercy, who will save you for Jesus' sake and through His shed blood.
Have we nothing to be proud of, then? Only one Person, "as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
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