THE MEANING OF THE FACTS
What shall we say of this Man? He accepted Peter’s tribute. He allowed Jews to take up stones to stone Him for claiming to be Son of God. He was conscious of being divine. He forgave sins, which is God’s prerogative. He promised rest to the weary soul, which the Old Testament set forth as God’s own gift. He said that He came to give life eternal, although God is the giver of life. He said that none could know the Father except through Him. He spoke to God of the glory which they shared together before the world was. Just in proportion as men have acknowledged His claims in their hearts have they found peace with God and conquest over sin and the fear of worldly evil. As we consider all these things we are led to repeat Peter’s confession, “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” for God the Father’s face shines upon us through Him and heaven is opened to us as we look upon Him. In the heart of this the purest of men was the clear, constant consciousness that He was divine. He always spoke and acted consistently with this consciousness. Unique in character, He made claims that would have stamped any other man as an impostor. Humility and majesty dwell together in Him. He could say, “I am meek and lowly in heart,” and also “I and my Father are one.” He would call men His “brethren” and yet accept from them the words, “My Lord and my God.” This wonderful character came of a race that had for ages looked for the coming of a Messiah, and whose prophetic literature was burdened with this hope. After his death his disciples who were heartbroken and cowed became inspired with a heroism that cheerfully faced martyrdom. All these facts are shining lights that point to the truth which Peter confessed. That truth is enshrined in the triumphant words of the Te Deum, “Thou are the King of glory, O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.”
And the Christ of history, the exalted Son of God, is a living Presence with us today. Not remote but ever near, He walks by our side in all life’s experiences. Not only enthroned in heavenly glory
“But warm, sweet, tender, even yet
A present help is He,
And faith has still its Olivet
And love its Galilee.”
Such is our wonderful Saviour, a Friend with human heart of sympathy who has trod our pathway and is touched with the feeling of our infirmities; a Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep in an all-atoning sacrifice; an Advocate who represents us with all-prevailing power before the throne of the Judge Eternal; a Champion who Can break the power of canceled sin and set the prisoner free; a Victor who can smite death’s threatening wave before us; a Lord in whom we see the beauty and glory of the face of God. We are called upon to confess Him with lip and life. To us to live is Christ. Knowing Him we have eternal life. We have all the soul needs in Jesus. There is no substitute for Him. None can share His throne in our hearts. The Kingdom is His who is the Christ—the anointed King. Our joy is in Him, where all fullness dwells. We can say with Charles Wesley, “Thou, O Christ, art all I want,” and our daily life should be one of close, constant communion with Christ.
No. 21. CHRIST IS ALL.
“Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.”—Pet. 11:7.
W. A. WILLIAMS, by per.
Effectiva as a Soprano Solo, Ad lib.