of grace and truth." He who learns this has the chief point of the Incarnation. He wrought out the redemption of the world. For this He lived and died and rose again. We rejoice in the Cross, whereby He has redeemed men; but where was the Cross raised? We cannot tell, certainly. On what day did He die? We say Friday, some say Thursday. On what tree was He crucified? Some have imagined it was an aspen tree, and that it is for this reason the leaf has trembled ever since. But we do not know. How, then, not knowing these things, can we glory in Christ and Him crucified? Because these are the forms; but the meaning of them is not concealed. The chief point is that He died for us. How In what way was this accomplished? shall we explain to ourselves all that we name Atonement? Good men have reasoned differently about it. Theories have varied. In the combining of theories we come nearer to the truth; but when all are said and reasoned about, and we hold our different minds, still we can take to ourselves the power of the Atonement, if entering within all forms we see the chief point, that He is the Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world; and He is the Good Shepherd, giving his life for the sheep. But how shall we come to Him, and have the benefit of his redemption? Some are coming as children, drawn by their first thoughts to Him who took children in his arms and blessed them. Others come in the strength of manhood, with great purpose following Him; and some by a long and tiresome way, through the dark out into the light. Is there, then, no one way? The chief point of all ways is, coming; and he who rests in the redeeming love of Christ has found the chief point of his redeeming love. Life then may be long, and full of great events, the life of a prophet, an apostle; it may remain a child's life; or it may lead through simple, uneventful years; but it is the Christ-life if it be lived in the love of Him. That is the chief point. We have missed, all of us have missed the chief point of life. Let us not miss the second time. Of what avail to try further, with the old spirit and the former skill which have disappointed us? Let Christ instruct us. Then shall we come with a new life, into a new life, till we reach his heaven where there is no temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it; where there is no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God doth lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof; where they that have followed Christ upon the earth shall follow Him whithersoever He goeth, and He shall lead them, and feed them, and their blessedness shall be in the joy of the Lord; where their glory shall be in his glory, and the highest prophecy of honor shall be fulfilled they shall be like Him, for they shall see Him as He is. In Him, not in temple, not in golden streets, not in jeweled walls, not in gates of pearl, not in endless song and eternal rest, shall be the everlasting bliss, but in Him. The chief point of heaven is Christ. Let us not miss it. Try again, carefully, skillfully. Let us place our hand upon the bow underneath his hand, and our fingers around the string underneath his fingers. With his strength let us draw. Along the line of his light let us look. Then the arrow shall fly from his hand and ours, and it shall reach the mark. |