General Conference Bulletin, vol. 6

The Sermon - CHRIST OUR REPRESENTATIVE

R. A. UNDERWOOD

Friday Evening, May 28, 7:45 P. M.

The basis of our study to-night will be 1 John 4:10: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” GCB June 3, 1909, page 298.12

The word “propitiation” is not a common word, being found in the Bible only two or three times, and I will give you its definition: “The act of propitiation for sin by atonement; enduring the full penalty; making satisfactory; removing guilt and exposedness to punishment in meeting the requirements of the law.” GCB June 3, 1909, page 298.13

This text includes the whole plan of redemption. It states that God sent his Son to make atonement, or at-one-ment. Now, how is this to be accomplished? By “removing guilt” and “exposedness to punishment” in meeting and satisfying the demands of the law. GCB June 3, 1909, page 298.14

I wish this evening to study with you for a short time the great theme of the gospel, which is embraced in the atonement, and to briefly notice the cause that has made it a necessity. Turn with me to John 17:18 for a statement or two; “As thou hast sent me into the world [and we learned in the other text what he was sent for,—to be the propitiation for sin], even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” GCB June 3, 1909, page 298.15

Now comes the climax of the prayer: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” GCB June 3, 1909, page 298.16

This text, as well as the other, implies that before Jesus Christ was sent into the world, all were not one. Now I wish to read another text found in 1 Timothy 2:5, which expresses the same thought concerning the mission of Christ, only in different language: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.” GCB June 3, 1909, page 298.17

In Galatians 3:20, Paul says, “A mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.” There can be no mediator in the sense in which Christ is spoken of as the mediator between God and men without there being a separation. The time existed once in the universe of God when all were one. A time came when there was division, and for the express purpose to bring back into the universe of God again all intelligences into one, Jesus Christ came into this world. And that purpose for which he came will ultimately be accomplished. GCB June 3, 1909, page 298.18

Now just a brief hint with reference to what brought about the separation. In this connection I will read a few statements taken from “Patriarchs and Prophets:”— GCB June 3, 1909, page 298.19

“The exaltation of the Son of God as equal with the Father was represented as an injustice to Lucifer, who, it was claimed, was also entitled to reverence and honor. If this prince of angels could but attain to his true, exalted position, great good would accrue to the entire host of heaven; for it was his object to secure freedom for all.... But now even the liberty which they had hitherto enjoyed was at an end; for an absolute ruler had been appointed over them, and to his authority all must pay homage.”—Page 37. GCB June 3, 1909, page 298.20

“While claiming for himself perfect loyalty to God, he urged that changes in the order and laws of heaven were necessary for the stability of the divine government.”—Page 38. GCB June 3, 1909, page 298.21

“Rejecting with disdain the arguments and entreaties of the loyal angels, ... he denounced them as deluded slaves, ... and announced that he would no longer submit to this invasion of his rights and theirs. He would never again acknowledge the supremacy of Christ.... He promised those who would enter his ranks a new and better government, under which all would enjoy freedom.”—Page 40. GCB June 3, 1909, page 298.22

“The only course remaining for him and his followers, he said, was to assert their liberty.”—Page 41. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.1

This is ancient history. But the same enemy of God’s government lives to-day, and the same line of tactics against the government of God is still in use, and will be until we reach the end. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.2

Peter, commenting on this crafty design of Lucifer, says that while he promised them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption, for of whom a man is overcome, of the same he is brought into bondage. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.3

Now, in order to bring about the at-one-ment between God and man, who had been deluded, deceived, betrayed, and robbed by this person who claimed to give man a better government, who claimed to give him liberty which he did not enjoy, God sent his Son to be the propitiation. It became necessary in the work of Jesus Christ that he should represent two parties. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.4

We sometimes hear it said that no person can ever represent another. I want to show you to-night that if that be true, we are to-night, and all the world has ever been, without a representative in heaven. I want to go back to that text I read in 1 Timothy 2:5. God sent his Son to be a “mediator between God and men.” Whom did he send?—His Son. But notice the part of the text I have not read. Who was he?—“The man Christ Jesus.” GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.5

Notice that divinity and humanity must be combined in the one who is to redeem us. He must have in him the fulness of the Godhead, and he must also have in him the fulness of humanity. Only thus can he be the mediator between God and man. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.6

In John 5:22, 26, 27, this thought is brought out: “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: . . for as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also.” Now notice the reason, “Because he is the Son of man.” GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.7

I am reminded of a man who was on trial for a crime. He had no means to hire a lawyer, but in response to a question from the judge, he said, “I would like a man to plead for me who knows something of the experience through which I have passed.” Ah, we have as our advocate, One who knows, who has been partaker of our experiences. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.8

The work of Jesus Christ in this world is to present examples of the living Word of God in humanity. I will write my law, he says, not with ink, not on tables of stone, but in “fleshy tables of the heart.” How is it written?—By the Holy Ghost; and the Word, Jesus Christ, who is the exact expression of the Father, became flesh, that flesh might become the Word. The Son of God became the Son of man, that the sons of men might become the sons of God. Divinity was clothed with humanity, that poor, sinful, depraved, fallen humanity, in all its weakness, might be clothed with divinity in all its power. Shall we accept what the Lord offers to give us? We have been studying about receiving the Holy Ghost. God, Christ the Son of God, the Word, came into this world clothed with humanity, leaving not his divinity, but clothing it. He came here with no more power to obey God and keep the law than you and I can have. “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.... Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.9

It was by that power that he was enabled to live the life he lived without sin, and this is what he offers to us. I wish to read Hebrews 7:26: “For such an High Priest became us, who is holy, harmless,” etc. He became one of us. After Christ’s resurrection he met Mary, and said, “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” This thought is expressed in other texts very clearly. One is found in Matthew 25:40: “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” In reading the Syriac version, you will get a little clearer thought in the text. It reads like this: “Inasmuch as you did it so to one of these my little brothers, ye did it so to me.” He recognizes us as one of his little brothers. I am glad that we have a brother who has been charged by our Father to protect us. If we go to heathen lands, to the home land, or anywhere else, in the name of Jesus Christ, to carry the precious message of God, to lift up some poor soul in those lands, Christ says, I accept that as done to me. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.10

In Hebrews 2:10-14 we find this thought still further dwelt upon. Jesus took on the same flesh that you and I have. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same.” In verse 16 it says, “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.” Another text says, “In all points tempted like as we are.” Thank God that “he is able to succor them that are tempted.” He understands from experience every temptation to which humanity has been subjected. He has met the tempter and overcome him. He can represent not only the government of God, because he was in the creation with the Father, in instituting the government of God, but he represents a people raised in weakness and in helplessness. We find in Isaiah 52:14 these words: “As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men.” When we see a portrait of Jesus Christ, such as men suppose he was like, we behold him a beautiful being. Did you ever see a man that seemed very plain; and when you first met him, you thought there was nothing beautiful about him, but after you learned of his life, you saw in that person something you not only loved but admired? Christ in character was perfect; but in his humanity, the picture given to us here shows nothing that was attractive. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.11

In the next chapter we read of Christ: “He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.” In the One who came into this world to save you and me, mercy and truth met together; righteousness and peace kissed each other. And he came not only to present us with his divine power, but his protection as well. He has pledged himself to take us by the right hand, and uphold us. He who has been afflicted, he who knows our temptations, says, “I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee.” “I will be with you always, even unto the end.” GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.12

This morning Brother Conradi related to us some of his experiences showing God’s care over his children. O how many could relate similar experiences! The devil hates the servants of God; he would seek to hinder and to destroy; but, brethren, we have One who is almighty! We have One who now stands in the heavenly sanctuary as our High Priest, and who is able to save to the uttermost; and this One has declared, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations;” and he has pledged to us his divine protection. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.13

With one more scripture, which illustrates God’s protecting care, I will close. In the second chapter of the Song of Solomon, verses two to six, we read of one who has learned the secret of abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. “I sat down under his shadow with great delight.” Sometimes, brethren, when things go hard, when difficulties arise, we are a little inclined to complain. But ought not Seventh-day Adventists to be the happiest people in this world? In times of difficulty, we are exhorted by James to count it all joy; and Paul says, “In everything give thanks.” O, if only we could learn that precious lesson,—“in everything give thanks,”—then under the shadow of the Almighty we would sit down with great delight. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.14

Again: “His banner over me was love.... His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.” The Lord says to you, to every servant of God, to every child, to every little brother: If you are weak, I will put my left hand under your head, and I will take you by the right hand to uphold you, and over you I will spread the banner of my love. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.15

As soldiers in the Civil War well knew, the banner uplifted by the standard-bearer was symbolic of victory and of protection. In further illustration of this fact, I will relate an incident that occurred a few years ago, while Cuba was still under Spanish rule. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.16

A gentleman from Great Britain came to the States, and was eventually naturalized. Afterward, he went to Cuba, and for some unjust cause or other, not known to himself, he was seized by officers, and thrown into prison. Soon he was tried unjustly, and summarily sentenced to be shot. His trial had been conducted in the Spanish language, with which he was wholly unfamiliar; he therefore knew not what sentence had been pronounced upon him, and he was unable to defend himself, or to plead, or to protest. Later, upon learning of his sentence, he made an effort to secure justice, but without success. He there-upon sent for the American consul, who did all in his power to secure a fair trial, but failed. GCB June 3, 1909, page 299.17

The hour for the execution approached, and the American consul, in his extremity, hastened over to the home of the British consul, told him the story, and besought him to help. They finally decided to attempt to save the man, even at this late hour. Driving rapidly to the scene of the proposed execution, they hastily alighted from the carriage, and ran to the doomed man, who within a few moments was to be shot. The American consul quickly unfurled an American flag, and threw it about the person of the unfortunate man. The British consul followed suit, using a British flag. Under these circumstances, the officer in charge dared not give the word to fire, and the sentenced man was finally saved. The stars and stripes and the union jack were symbols signifying that that man was under the protection of two powerful nations; and they sufficed to save him. GCB June 3, 1909, page 300.1

Who is it, brethren and sisters, that encircles us with his banner of protection? Is it simply the representative of one or two nations of the earth? Ah, it is he who controls yonder shining worlds in space! He says to us who are weak: I will put my hand under your head; I will bathe your brow; I will comfort you; I will uphold you; I will strengthen you; I will be with you in all the world, even unto the end; my banner of protection shall be over and round about you. GCB June 3, 1909, page 300.2

God is able to succor the tempted. He is able to understand every case. We may come with confidence to him, and unbosom the soul, knowing that he will never betray. He will comfort, counsel, deliver, every tried soul who seeks his favor. GCB June 3, 1909, page 300.3

May God help us, that we may go forth with faith in our Representative, who is able to understand our needs! We have an Advocate with the Father, One who is acquainted with our particular environment, our inherited tendencies, our difficulties. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” O, I am thankful that Jesus Christ evens things up! May God help us to take hold of his strength, accept of his love, and believe that we stand under the banner of his love; and let us do this with great delight, for his name’s sake. GCB June 3, 1909, page 300.4