I HAVE been thinking of Jesus, that noble visitor to our earth, from the distant realms where the great Jehovah reigns. I have been thinking of his object in visiting this planet, and of his conduct while he remained here; of his noble bearing while in the presence of Pilate; his composed and cheerful aspect when two kings with their minions did all in their power to cast abuse and ignominy upon him; and I ask myself, Do I realize the why and the wherefore? Can I appreciate such condescension, such infinite love? Did the Son of God leave the bright regions of light to visit this base sinful world? Did he assume our nature, and humble himself to the low sphere of humanity? Did he suffer, and labor, and die here, thus, as is described? Was it reality? The Son of God? The Word? The Creator? Did he leave the bosom of the infinite Father? Did he leave all the joys of that beautiful home of angels, where God is worshiped in incomprehensible grandeur and purity, to dwell with unholy men, here to bear ignominious burdens, to perform servile labor, to be scorned and trodden upon, by layman and priest, by king and beggar? he who was beloved and honored of God, and revered by the dignitaries of heaven?
Surely this was no idle tragedy, no fanciful exhibition, to consume time and entertain spectators! No! no! There are reasons for all this. The Son of God came to earth in person, to rescue his chosen ones, and to make a way for the annihilation of Satan and his lying train. All this will yet be fully accounted for. God will yet be magnified by the common sense of redeemed men, and holy angels, in all this.
Yes it is reality. The story of Adam's race, from the fall of our first parents to the advent of Jesus, is familiar; and the account of Jesus' life and sufferings is true; no romance, no fiction. Jesus is a person. His first advent is reality. None can reasonably doubt such evidence as is furnished in proof of the truth of the holy Scriptures. Hume, and Voltaire, and Paine, and others of the last century, tried to invalidate the sacred writings; but the only harm done was to their dupes and themselves; for a host of learned men arose and furnished such proof of the truth of the Bible as was not before sought out, and such a superstructure of truths, such an army of facts was produced, that now the infidel can readily be put to the blush by any common reader.
For eighteen hundred years the united powers of earth and hell have done their best to crush out the truth. Kings and popes have deluged the earth with the blood of the martyrs, their best and most innocent subjects. They have burned the Bible, and destroyed those who carried it in their memories, and outlawed the name of Jesus. But all in vain: the banner still waves on high in spite of wicked men and devils. Kings and popes, emperors and generals, ecclesiastical councils and infidel writers, have tried in vain to outlaw the Bible, or invalidate its truths. In vain they have deluged the earth with the blood of the good, the lovely, the truthful and the honest. In vain have they cast their darts at the fame of the lovely Jesus—he lives still, not only in person, in the far off regions, where angels dwell, but in the hearts of his people.
Yes, this is reality. Jesus lives. His burdens will soon be laid aside. The great controversy between good and evil will soon close gloriously for God, for Christ and good angels, and redeemed men. The last battle is soon to be fought. Hark! Do we not hear the thunderings of the hosts, the note of war, the day of preparation?110Glorious thought! 'Tis reality. Jesus lives, and all this time since Adam's fall, he has borne a heavy burden patiently. O what fortitude! what enduring love! all this time has he borne our burdens, has plead our cause. The Father too first formed the plan to save a remnant, and to put a final end to evil; and now the end approaches; it is at hand. Angels too have labored and sympathized in the work, and can we be lukewarm?