CHRIST'S HUMANITY

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 11, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 44.

CHRIST'S HUMANITY.

THE humanity of Christ appeals to every heart. "God manifest in the flesh;" such a God is not so far away from our human comprehension as that infinite Father upon whose face we may not look, and who manifested his presence at Sinai in clouds and fire, in mighty thunderings and the earthquake.

But Christ comes to the world as "our Elder Brother," "tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin," understanding our infirmities and remembering "that we are but dust." He had not only words of tenderness for human sorrows, but he had tears for human woes. "Jesus wept!" Do we fear his lack of sympathy when we read that? Can not we go to him with all our burdens and cares when we remember those tears at the grave of Lazarus?

Yet why should he weep beside that tomb where his friend lay still in death, when his omniscient eye could see him coming forth at his command, and, laying aside the garments of the grave, rejoicing in new life and the glorious strength of his young manhood? Could those four days of silent slumber in the tomb so move him when he stood there with the words trembling upon his lips that should call him back to earth and the enjoyment of its love and friendships, its activities and its hopes? It could not have been this, but it was rather the burden of the world's sorrow that moved him, for he saw the countless graves that yawned for the race, and he remembered that death must come to all because all have sinned. It was his grief for human sinfulness and his tender pity for us that upon us must fall the awful consequences which sin brings. O, the infinite tenderness of such a heart! It was because of the awful havoc that sin had wrought in the world that he welcomed the cross and Calvary that men might live, and that his redeemed ones might come forth at last from the grave, as Lazarus came at his bidding, and share with him the life everlasting.

The divine and the human nature of Christ draws human hearts to him. He is one with the Father and he is one with us. From everlasting to everlasting he is God. He is the Creator of this world. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; . . . and without him was not anything made that was made." Thus we may look upon Christ our Redeemer as Christ our Creator. He is our Maker and he loves us. What more do we need to make us trust him? We love our children; can we doubt that Christ's love is less for his children whom he has made?

"God is love." What more do we want? Is there anything so tender as love; so full of readiness to help; so glad in the gladness of others; so full of beneficence; so ready to bless? How can we turn from such love as Christ offers, from the blessings which he is ready to impart, and go on in the ways of sin, at enmity with God?

It is sin that separates us from God and makes us unwilling to come to the cross. The human heart is hard and rebellious, yet Christ waits, and his language to us ever is, "Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." And such rest! Upon his own shoulders he places the burdens of all earth's cares. In the place of anxious fears and trembling hopes he gives us peace. For every temptation that assails us he gives us strength to overcome. In every sorrow he enables us to say, "I know in whom I have trusted," and he will never betray me. I will not loose my hold upon his hand. He leadeth me into green pastures and beside the still waters. The Lord is my Shepherd, and I shall not want.

And he never forsakes those who trust him thus. If we ever walk in darkness it is because we are blindfolded by doubt. But even this he forgives us, for "he knows our infirmities." He was tempted as we are tempted, and he does not forget what those temptations mean; and he is patient and forgiving toward us.

Could men stand in a tenderer relationship to God than they stand through Christ? We need not be afraid; it matters not how great our sins, how many the temptations that beset us, how many the obstacles that lie in our path, if Christ is ours, we may overcome all things. It is the voice of our Redeemer that says to us:—

"The way is long, My child, but it shall be Not one step longer than is best for thee; And thou shalt know at last when thou shalt stand Safe at the goal, how I did take thy hand, And quick and straight Lead to heaven's gate, My child.

"The path is rough, My child, but, O, how sweet, Will be the rest for weary pilgrims meet, When thou shalt reach the borders of that land

To which I lead thee, as I take thy hand; And safe and blest With Me shalt rest, My child!

"The throng is great, My child, but at thy side Thy Father walks, then be not terrified, For I am with thee, will thy foes command To let thee freely pass, will take thy hand, And through the throng Lead safe along, My child.

"The cross is heavy, child, yet there was One Who bore a heavier for thee; My Son, My Well-beloved. For Him bear thine, and stand With Him at last; and from thy Father's hand, Thy cross laid down, Receive a crown, My child."

—Lay Sermons, Los Angeles Times.