DESPAIR; THEN ABOUNDING LIFE

Northern Advocate, 16 April 1938, Page 12

DESPAIR; THEN ABOUNDING LIFE

Being a sermon preached by Mr Ernest A. Way in the Presbyterian Church. Mangapai.

Texts: “What shall I do then with Jesus Which is called Christ?” —Matthew 27:22. “And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My” Lord and My God.”—John 20:28.

EASTER is the Christian’s time of glad memories. From the events that took place nearly 2000 years ago on Calvary, hope has gone out through the whole world to despairing men. No longer is there any real need for despondency and hopelessness. No longer need sin have the victory over men. “Thanks be to God, Which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” There is need for despair only to those who do not look to Christ. Those who 100k —live. What utter anguish must have been in the hearts of any of Christ's friends who were present when they heard the reply to Pilate’s question: “What shall I do then with Jesus Which is called Christ?” “Let Him be crucified!" What desolation must have swept over them! Their chief friend condemned to die a violent death. He raised no voice of protest. And then they followed the whole sad scene. They could do nothing to save Him; the voice of the crowd was 100 insistent; “Crucify Him!” And why? Because His ways of life conflicted with theirs. They were not willing to conform to His ideals, so they cried: “Away with Him!” His life and teachings were a rebuke to them, and in mad jealousy they determined to put Him out of the way. And He did not resist them. So they took Him away and nailed Him to the Cross. There He died as He lived — gloriously. “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” “Father into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” These were not the words of a defeated imposter, but of a victorious Saviour, magnanimous and serene. But, even so. at that time His friends wore overwhelmed with sorrow. Apparently their hopes were dashed to the ground. They were m

dark despair. He could have saved Himself. But the fact was. He came to .save, for God, men and women from sin, and this was the only way that He could do it. He bore the guilt and burden of our sin by offering His life to God as a sacrifice for us. His sinless life was the only adequate sacrifice, and God accepted it, and receives to Himself all those who accept for themselves the life offered by Christ.

But the Crucifixion and the burial were not the last scenes that Eastertime. The glorious climax took place on the third day when Christ rose from the dead. Easter was not Christ’s extinction, but His enthronement. “And God hath given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the, earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

We do not kneel before, and acknowledge. a dead leader, but a- gloriously living Saviour and King of Kings.

There were many bewildered men and women on that first Easter Sunday: the things they saw and heard were amazing, but gradually, as they saw Christ for themselves, the truth of the Resurrection was made real to them. The friend whom they had lest was back with them, but somehow gloriously different.

The despair which they had experienced vanished, and in place of it was an abounding faith and hope. Even Thomas, when he saw his risen Lord, could do no other than exclaim; “My Lord and my God.” which brought forth Christ’s grand reply: “Thomas,

because thou hast seen Me thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.”

And all this was the outcome of 'a boundless love, for “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Men and women of the past have had to face up to the greatest of all questions: “What shall I do then with Jesus Which is called Christ?” So, too, you and I of today have to face the same question. Without Him we shall never gain the victory over self—over

that besetting sin. Without Him life cannot be full, we cannot fulfil our ' highest purpose. Without Him life..i| vain and the end apart from God, ..>

At the Cross there are two arms outstretched to save. Christ beckons us to Himself. “And I, if I be lifted up from trie earth, will draw all men unto Me;’’

And in Christ is Life and the Life is the Light of men. Noble, purposeful living is the result.

Are you willing to accept the offer of Life that Christ made available for us on that far away Easter? It means trusting Him, and putting self and selfish desires in the background, and Christ and His service first. Are you willing to say:“My Lord and my God—my Saviour”?

0 that up my head, 1 dare not ask to fly from thee; I lay in dust life's glory dead, And from the ground there blossoms red Life' that shall endless be.

4 PRAYER Almighty God, with Whom are the issues of life, we beseech Thee to raise us up to everlasting life. Grant, we beseech Thee, that our lives may be filled with the glorious power of Easter. This we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Amen. Suggested Reading: John 20:14-31.