Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 182, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1912 — WHO IS THIS? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WHO IS THIS?

By Rev. Parley E. Zartrnann, D. D.,

Zartmann,D.Dl,

Secretary of Extensa Department Moody BIU Institute. OhiCMO

TEXT—And when he was cpme Into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, (Who is this?—Matt. 21:10. Jesus Christ had not been long at his work on earth until people began

ft> ask questions about him and that of the text occurred in the midst of a great scene. It was asked amid the enthusiasm, excitement, and intensities of the first Palm Sunday when Jesus and a number of those who believed on him were coming to Jerusalem for the feast. The multitudes spread their garments in

the way; others cut down "branches from the trees and strewed them in the way; and the multitudes that went before and that followed cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David; blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest The throng moved near the city gates and passed into the city. This caused great excitement and all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?” In the days of his flesh Christ caused people to think and talk about him, and his influence is ever the same. It Is still true that he cannot be hid and the question of the first Palm Sunday is an everlasting question, and there is a profound sense in which you and I are called upon to study Jesus, to understand his works, to interpret his life and to decide for .ourselves who he is.

There are some interesting answers to the question. Some cq.ll him the great teacher and 'refer to the sermon on the mount, the parables, and the extracts of some of his public addresses. Some say he was a marvelous miracle worked; and that is true. He opened blind eyes, unstopped deaf ears; healed withered hands, allayed burning fevers, and brought the dead back to life; and all of these are parables of the power with which he works in the spiritual world. Some call him the sympathetic friend, and we remember his tender dealing with the-wom-an taken in her sin, his solicitude and helpfulness in the case of the widow at Naln, and his affection for the friends in the home at Bethany; and it is still true “There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus.” Some call him the matcheless man, referring to the beauty of his character, the purity of his life, the universal character of his teaching and his world-wide outlook. Some speak of him as the mighty Savior, and tell, with glowing heart, of his power to save; and still he is able to save unto the uttermost. Some recall the prophecy spoken by Isaiah and say he is the wonderful, and that this characteristic applies to all the other names.

In the first and second chapters of the Epistle to the Hebrews Christ is set forth as the perfect son of God and the perfect man and there is given a seven-fold proof of each. In chapter one we find that God hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son, he has become heir to all things, he made all things, he is the effulgence of God’s glory, the express image of his person, he upholds all things by the word of .his power, and when he had by himself purged our sins he sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high. In chapter two we find that he is a perfect man, hut was made a little lower than the angels, he took man’s nature, he endured man’s temptation. be tasted man’s death, he met man’M rue and destroyed him, he wrought out man’s salvation, and achieved man’s victory. Without doubt he Is the one perfect man.

’ “No mortal can with him Among the sons of men; Fairer is he than all the fair Who fill the heavenly train.” > And let us not forget that all that may be said of him, and all that is true of him as a man Is but a faint gleam of the glory which Is his as the divine son of God. The world’s greatest mountain Is Calvary, the little hill outside the city gates where Christ was crucified to save us all. Here we can see God’s love for the sinner and the sinner’s opportunity. Let that cross be the great answer to the question of the text. Who is this? Thlr is Jesus of Nazareth. You have seen him; you have heard him; you know the redemption which he wrought. What will you do with Jesus? Your joy for. time and your destiny for eternity depend on your answer. I plead with you to make your eternal decision now; to join the innumerable throng which acclaims him as Lord of the heart, and king of the life, and which says: • **l could not do without Thee, O Savior of the Io«t; Whose precious tyood redeems ma. At such tremendous cost.” A prayerful hearing of the senfloa Is as Important as its prayerful *'rep-. aration.