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Nature
of Christ
D.M. Stearns was preaching in
Philadelphia. At the close of the service a stranger came up to him and said,
"I don't like the way you spoke about the cross. I think that instead of
emphasizing the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the
teacher and example." Stearns replied, "If I presented Christ in that
way, would you be willing to follow Him?" "I certainly would,"
said the stranger without hesitation. "All right then," said the
preacher, "let's take the first step. He did no sin. Can you claim that
for yourself?" The man looked confused and somewhat surprised. "Why,
no," he said. "I acknowledge that I do sin." Stearns replied,
"Then your greatest need is to have a Savior, not an example!"── Source Unknown.
AS HE IS, versus AS HE WAS.
Ⅰ. As He
is. He is walking in majesty in the midst of the Churches. “ Who walketh in the
midst of the seven golden candlesticks” (Rev.2:1).
As
He was. He was seen in humiliation, and in the midst of two thieves, crucified.
“ They crucified Him, and two other with Him, on either side one, and Jesus in
the midst “ ( John 19:18).
Ⅱ. As He
is. He is girt about the breast, signifying His priestly kingship. “ And girt
about the paps with a golden girdle” (Rev.1:13).
As
He was. He was seen girded about the lions, signifying Him who came not to be
ministered to, but to minister. “ Took a towel. And girded Himself” (John 13:4).
Ⅲ. As He
is. He is seen in garments of glory, representing the glory of His person.
“Clothed with a garment down to the foot” (Revelation 1:13).
As
He was. He was stripped of His garments, and made a spectacle to men, demons,
and angels. “ Took His garments, and made four parts” (John 19:23).
Ⅳ. As He
is. We see His head, and His hair are white—telling us of His glory and
eternity. “ His head and His hairs were white like wool” ( Revelation 1:14).
As
He was. That head was crowned with thorns—telling us of Him who bore the cross
and curse for us. “ The soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on His
head” (John 19:2).
Ⅴ. As He
is. His eyes are as flames of fire—reminding us of His all—seeingness. “ His
eyes were as a flame of fire” (Rev.1:14).
As
He was. Those eyes lost their brightness in death, and closed under the load of
sin. “ And He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30).
Ⅵ. As he is. His feet are as burning and
polished brass—telling us of His durability and deity. “ His feet like unto
fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace” (Rev.1:15).
As
He was. Those feet were nailed to the Cross. “ Behold My hands and My feet” (
Luke 24:39).
Ⅶ. As He is. His voice is as the sound of
many waters, reminding us of the power of His word. “ His voice as the sound of
many waters” (Rev.1:15).
As
He was. His voice was hushed in death. “Saw that He was dead” (John 19:33).
Ⅷ. As He is. His hand is mighty to hold,
and to help us. “ He had in His right hand seven stars” (Rev.1:16).
As
He was. Those hands were pierced, and nailed to the accursed tree. “ They
pierced My hands” (Psalm 22:16).
Ⅸ. As He is. Out of His mouth, goes a sharp
twoedged sword—telling us of His power to destroy His enemies. “Out of His
mouth went a sharp twoedged sword” ( Rev.1:16).
As
He was. He opened not His mouth, but was smitten by the officer over the mouth.
“ Yet He opened not His mouth” (Is,. 53:7).
X.
As He is. His face is as the sun shining in his strength. “ His countenance was
as the sun shineth in his strength” ( Rev.1:16).
As
He was. That face was marred, spit on, the hair plucked from, and the rude hand
of man insulted. “ His visage was so marred more than any man” (Isaiah 52:14).
──
F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST,
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
(John 9:5).
There are two
things, among the many, that light does. It reveals the wrong and makes known
that which is right. These two features of light are abundantly illustrated in
the life of Christ. As to the first, when the Pharisees brought the woman to
Christ, He said to them, “ He that is without sin among you, let him first cast
a stone at her,” and “being convicted by their own conscience,” they all slunk
out of His holy presence ( John 8:7,9). And as to Christ’s making known the
good, the right, the true, no one can prayerfully ponder John 3:16 without seeing the light of His love flashing out in
its sevenfold perfection.
Ⅰ. There is the red light of
Christ’s atonement in the given Son (Acts 20:28).
Ⅱ. There is the blue light
of heaven in the “ God gave” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
Ⅲ. There is the yellow light
of heaven’s glory in the “everlasting life” (Col.3:4).
Ⅳ. There is the green light
of faith in the “believe” (John 3:36).
Ⅴ. There is the orange light
of safety in the “shall not perish” (John 10:28).
Ⅵ. There is the purple light
of the eternal state in the “everlasting” (1.Peter 1:3,4).
Ⅶ. There is the white light
of the effulgence of God in the “ only begotten Son” ( Heb.1:5).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
CHRIST,
THE TRUE ONE.
Ⅰ. He is the True Light, to
illuminate (John1:9).
Ⅱ. He is the True Bread, to
satisfy (John 6:32).
Ⅲ. He is the True Vine, to
fructify (John 15:1).
Ⅳ. He is the True God, to
assure (1.John 5:20).
Ⅴ. He is the True Witness,
to speak (Rev.3:14).
Ⅵ. He is the True Judge, to
determine (Rev.19:11).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
COUNTENANCE
OF THE LORD.
Ⅰ. The grace of His countenance.
“ The Lord
lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Num.6:26).
Ⅱ. Reflection of His
countenance.
“ Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us” (Psalm.4:6).
Ⅲ. Joy of His countenance. “ Thou hast made him
exceeding glad with Thy countenance upon us” (Psalm 21:6).
Ⅳ. Saving of His
countenance.
“ For the help of His countenance” ( Psalm 42:5,11).
Ⅴ. Renewing of His
countenance.
“ Who is the health of my countenance and my God” (Psalm43:5)
Ⅵ. Power of His countenance.
“ Neither
did their own arm save them……but the light of Thy countenance” (Ps.44:3).
Ⅶ. Place for the believer to
walk in. “
They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance” (Psalm 89:15).
Ⅷ. Discernment of His
countenance.
“Our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance” (Psalm 90:8).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》
FACE
OF JESUS.
Ⅰ. Strong face. “ He stedfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke
9:51).
Ⅱ. Bowed face. “ And fell on His face” (Matt.26:39).
Ⅲ. An insulted face. “ Then did they spit in His face” (Matt. 26:67).
Ⅳ. Covered face. “ And to cover His face” (Mark 14:65).
Ⅴ. Struck face. “ They struck Him on the face” (Luke 22:64).
Ⅵ. Shining face. “ His face did shine as the sun” (Matt.17:2).
Ⅶ. Glorious face. “ Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (11.
Cor.4:6).
Ⅷ. Awe-inspiring face. “ Hide us from the face of Him” ( Rev.6:16;
20:11).
Ⅸ. Gladdening face. “ And they shall see His face” (Rev.22:4).
── F.E. Marsh《Five Hundred Bible Readings》