The Signs of the Times
August 26, 1903
Our Helper
Nearly two thousand years ago a Voice of mysterious import was heard in heaven, saying, “Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared me... Lo, I come, ... to do Thy will, O God.” ST August 26, 1903, par. 1
Christ came to our world to be man's surety, to overcome in his behalf, to live for him a sinless life, that in His power they might obtain the victory over sin. He came, saying, “I will declare Thy name unto My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee.” He placed Himself on a level with human beings, saying, I will stand at the head of the race, that through My humiliation, they may be accepted as members of the royal family. I will declare the name of God unto My brethren. I will put My trust in Him, just as I desire My disciples to do. ST August 26, 1903, par. 2
“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” ST August 26, 1903, par. 3
As Christ took upon Him this work, He saw all that it would bring,—His betrayal, because of envy, pride, and the love of money; His trial in the judgment hall, the scourging, the cruel death. He had led the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage into the land of Canaan. He had come now to lead them from spiritual bondage into the City of God. But they rejected Him, and delivered Him up to death. He came to His vineyard to receive the fruit thereof, but those who should have welcomed Him, said, “This is the heir; come, let us kill Him, and let us seize on His inheritance.” ST August 26, 1903, par. 4
Looking into the future, Christ saw the return that would be made for His love. He saw Himself condemned to suffer the punishment inflicted only on those most deeply sunken in crime. He saw Himself hanging on the cross, while priests and rulers looked on with exultation, saying mockingly, “He saved others; Himself He can not save.” ST August 26, 1903, par. 5
Christ looked down through the ages, and saw His humiliation carried into every successive generation. He heard the false testimony borne that He came to abrogate the law of God. He saw the law which He came to magnify and make honorable, trampled upon and dishonored. ST August 26, 1903, par. 6
Knowing all this, Christ bore the penalty of transgression. He was crucified and buried, but He broke the fetters of the tomb, and over the rent sepulcher of Joseph proclaimed, “I am the Resurrection and the Life.” To all who receive Him, He gives power to become the sons of God. He paid the redemption price for every son and daughter of Adam, and He is abundantly able to save all who come to Him. ST August 26, 1903, par. 7
Only by bearing, on the cross, the punishment for our disobedience could Christ deliver us from eternal death. He became sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Repentant sinners stand before the Father justified, because the Innocent One has borne their guilt. ST August 26, 1903, par. 8
“Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in His apparel, traveling in the greatness of His strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat? I have trodden the winepress alone, and of the people there was none with Me.... I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold; therefore Mine own arm brought salvation unto Me.” ST August 26, 1903, par. 9
“In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old.” ST August 26, 1903, par. 10
This is our hope. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, ... full of grace and truth.... And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.” ST August 26, 1903, par. 11