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_.
[Illustration: Musical notation]
1.
I entered once a home of care,
For age and penury were there,
Yet peace and joy withal;
I asked the lonely mother whence
Her helpless widowhood's defence.
She told me, "Christ was all."
Christ is all, all in all,
She told me "Christ was all".
2.
I stood beside a dying bed,
Where lay a child with aching head,
Waiting for Jesus' call,
I marked his smile, 'twas sweet as May,
And as his spirit passed away,
He whispered, "Christ is all."
Christ is all, all in all,
He whispered "Christ is all."
3.
I saw the martyr at the at the stake,
The flames could not his courage shake,
Nor death his soul appall,
I asked him whence his strength was giv'n,
He looked triumphantly to Heav'n,
And answered "Christ is all."
Christ is all, all in all,
He answered, "Christ is all."
4.
I saw the gospel herald go,
To Afric's sand and Greenland's snow,
To save from Satan's thrall:
No home nor life he counted dear,
Midst wants and perils owned no fear.
He felt that "Christ is all."
Christ is all, all in all,
He felt that "Christ is all."
5.
I dreamed that hoary time had fled;
The earth and sea gave up their dead,
A fire dissolved this ball;
I saw the church's ransom'd throng,
I heard the burden of their song.
'twas "Christ is all in all."
Christ is all, all in all,
'Twas Christ is all in all.
6.
Then come to Christ, oh! come today.
The Father, Son, and Spirit say;
The Bride repeats the call;
For he will cleanse your guilty stains,
His love will sooth your weary pains,
For "Christ is all in all."
Christ is all, all in all,
For "Christ is all in all."