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6: CHRIST 16 |
Afterward Christ came, saying, “I am born of the Holy
Spirit.” Though it is now easy for the Christians to believe
this assertion, at that time it was very difficult. According
to the text of the Gospel the Pharisees said, “Is not this the
son of Joseph of Nazareth Whom we know? How can He
say, therefore, I came down from heaven?”
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Briefly, this Man, Who, apparently, and in the eyes of
all, was lowly, arose with such great power that He
abolished a religion that had lasted fifteen hundred years,
at a time when the slightest deviation from it exposed the
offender to danger or to death. Moreover, in the days of
Christ the morals of the whole world and the condition of
the Israelites had become completely confused and corrupted,
and Israel had fallen into a state of the utmost degradation,
misery and bondage. At one time they had
been taken captive by the Chaldeans and Persians; at another
time they were reduced to slavery to the Assyrians;
then they became the subjects and vassals of the Greeks;
and finally they were ruled over and despised by the Romans.
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This young Man, Christ, by the help of a supernatural
power, abrogated the ancient Mosaic Law, reformed the
general morals, and once again laid the foundation of eternal
glory for the Israelites. Moreover, He brought to humanity
the glad tidings of universal peace, and spread
abroad teachings which were not for Israel alone but were
for the general happiness of the whole human race.
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Those who first strove to do away with Him were the
Israelites, His own kindred. To all outward appearances
they overcame Him and brought Him into direst distress.
At last they crowned Him with the crown of thorns and
crucified Him. But Christ, while apparently in the
deepest misery and affliction, proclaimed, “This Sun will
be resplendent, this Light will shine, My grace will surround
the world, and all My enemies will be brought
low.” And as He said, so it was; for all the kings of the
earth have not been able to withstand Him. Nay, all their
standards have been overthrown, while the banner of that
Oppressed One has been raised to the zenith.
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1. | Cf. John 6:42. [ Back To Reference] |