按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the foundation of every heathen religion； it had now
36
become the principle of the Jewish religion。 Satan had implanted this principle。 Wherever it is held； men have no barrier against sin。
The message of salvation is communicated to men through human agencies。 But the Jews had sought to make a monopoly of the truth which is eternal life。 They had hoarded the living manna； and it had turned to corruption。 The religion which they tried to shut up to themselves became an offense。 They robbed God of His glory； and defrauded the world by a counterfeit of the gospel。 They had refused to surrender themselves to God for the salvation of the world； and they became agents of Satan for its destruction。
The people whom God had called to be the pillar and ground of the truth had become representatives of Satan。 They were doing the work that he desired them to do； taking a course to misrepresent the character of God； and cause the world to look upon Him as a tyrant。 The very priests who ministered in the temple had lost sight of the significance of the service they performed。 They had ceased to look beyond the symbol to the thing signified。 In presenting the sacrificial offerings they were as actors in a play。 The ordinances which God Himself had appointed were made the means of blinding the mind and hardening the heart。 God could do no more for man through these channels。 The whole system must be swept away。
The deception of sin had reached its height。 All the agencies for depraving the souls of men had been put in operation。 The Son of God； looking upon the world； beheld suffering and misery。 With pity He saw how men had become victims of satanic cruelty。 He looked with compassion upon those who were being corrupted； murdered； and lost。 They had chosen a ruler who chained them to his car as captives。 Bewildered and deceived； they were moving on in gloomy procession toward eternal ruin；to death in which is no hope of life； toward night to which comes no morning。 Satanic agencies were incorporated with men。 The bodies of human beings； made for the dwelling place of God； had become the habitation of demons。 The senses； the nerves； the passions； the organs of men； were worked by supernatural agencies in the indulgence of the vilest lust。 The very stamp of demons was impressed upon the countenances of men。 Human faces reflected the expression of the legions of evil with which they were possessed。 Such was the prospect upon which the world's Redeemer looked。 What a spectacle for Infinite Purity to behold！
37
Sin had become a science； and vice was consecrated as a part of religion。 Rebellion had struck its roots deep into the heart； and the hostility of man was most violent against heaven。 It was demonstrated before the universe that； apart from God； humanity could not be uplifted。 A new element of life and power must be imparted by Him who made the world。
With intense interest the unfallen worlds had watched to see Jehovah arise； and sweep away the inhabitants of the earth。 And if God should do this； Satan was ready to carry out his plan for securing to himself the allegiance of heavenly beings。 He had declared that the principles of God's government make forgiveness impossible。 Had the world been destroyed； he would have claimed that his accusations were proved true。 He was ready to cast blame upon God； and to spread his rebellion to the worlds above。 But instead of destroying the world； God sent His Son to save it。 Though corruption and defiance might be seen in every part of the alien province； a way for its recovery was provided。 At the very crisis； when Satan seemed about to triumph； the Son of God came with the embassage of divine grace。 Through every age； through every hour； the love of God had been exercised toward the fallen race。 Notwithstanding the perversity of men； the signals of mercy had been continually exhibited。 And when the fullness of the time had come； the Deity was glorified by pouring upon the world a flood of healing grace that was never to be obstructed or withdrawn till the plan of salvation should be fulfilled。
Satan was exulting that he had succeeded in debasing the image of God in humanity。 Then Jesus came to restore in man the image of his
38
Maker。 None but Christ can fashion anew the character that has been ruined by sin。 He came to expel the demons that had controlled the will。 He came to lift us up from the dust； to reshape the marred character after the pattern of His divine character； and to make it beautiful with His own glory。
（43）
Chapter 4
Unto You a Saviour
The King of glory stooped low to take humanity。 Rude and forbidding were His earthly surroundings。 His glory was veiled； that the majesty of His outward form might not become an object of attraction。 He shunned all outward display。 Riches； worldly honor； and human greatness can never save a soul from death； Jesus purposed that no attraction of an earthly nature should call men to His side。 Only the beauty of heavenly truth must draw those who would follow Him。 The character of the Messiah had long been foretold in prophecy； and He desired men to accept Him upon the testimony of the word of God。
The angels had wondered at the glorious plan of redemption。 They watched to see how the people of God would receive His Son； clothed in the garb of humanity。 Angels came to the land of the chosen people。 Other nations were dealing in fables and worshiping false gods。 To the land where the glory of God had been revealed； and the light of prophecy had shone； the angels came。 They came unseen to Jerusalem； to the appointed expositors of the Sacred Oracles； and the ministers of God's
44
house。 Already to Zacharias the priest； as he ministered before the altar； the nearness of Christ's coming had been announced。 Already the forerunner was born； his mission attested by miracle and prophecy。 The tidings of his birth and the wonderful significance of his mission had been spread abroad。 Yet Jerusalem was not preparing to welcome her Redeemer。
With amazement the heavenly messengers beheld the indifference of that people whom God had called to communicate to the world the light of sacred truth。 The Jewish nation had been preserved as a witness that Christ was to be born of the seed of Abraham and of David's line； yet they knew not that His coming was now at hand。 In the temple the morning and the evening sacrifice daily pointed to the Lamb of God； yet even here was no preparation to receive Him。 The priests and teachers of the nation knew not that the greatest event of the ages was about to take place。 They rehearsed their meaningless prayers； and performed the rites of worship to be seen by men； but in their strife for riches and worldly honor they were not prepared for the revelation of the Messiah。 The same indifference pervaded the land of Israel。 Hearts selfish and world…engrossed were untouched by the joy that thrilled all heaven。 Only a few were longing to behold the Unseen。 To these heaven's embassy was sent。
Angels attend Joseph and Mary as they journey from their home in Nazareth to the city of David。 The decree of imperial Rome for the enrollment of the peoples of her vast dominion has extended to the dwellers among the hills of Galilee。 As in old time Cyrus was called to the throne of the world's empire that he might set free the captives of the Lord； so Caesar Augustus is made the agent for the fulfillment of God's purpose in bringing the mother of Jesus to Bethlehem。 She is of the lineage of David； and the Son of David must be born in David's city。 Out of Bethlehem； said the prophet； 〃shall He come forth 。 。 。 that is to be ruler in Israel； whose goings forth have been from of old； from the days of eternity。〃 Micah 5：2； margin。 But in the city of their royal line； Joseph and Mary are unrecognized and unhonored。 Weary and homeless； they traverse the entire length of the narrow street； from the gate of the city to the eastern extremity of the town； vainly seeking a resting place for the night。 There is no room for them at the crowded inn。 In a rude building where the beasts are sheltered； they at last find refuge； and here the Redeemer of the world is born。
47
Men know it not； but the tidings fill heaven with rejoicing。 With a deeper and more tender interest the holy beings from the world of light are drawn to the earth。 The whole world is brighter for His presence。 Above the hills of Bethlehem are gathered an innumerable throng of angels。 They wait the signal to declare the glad news to the world。 Had the leaders in Israel been true to their trust； they might have shared the joy of heralding the birth of Jesus。 But now they are passed by。
God declares； 〃I will pour water upon him that is thirsty； and floods upon the dry ground。〃 〃Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness。〃 Isa。 44：3； Ps。 112：4。 To those who are seeking for light； and who accept it with gladness； the bright rays from the throne of God will shine。