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“ Truly this man was the Son of God” (v. 39). We cannot know how far this centurion entered into tHe truth, but he evidently knew enough to make possible his salvation. Points and Problems 1. "The place Golgotha" (v. 22). Why such a name? Someday it was because it was a public execution grounds. Others say, it was because the place had the appearance of a skull. Such speculation is relatively unimportant. Golgotha is the emblem of the world Christ came to save, a world dead in trespasses and sins, a world with the germs of decay in every part of it, a world helpless in the grip of the evil one. 2. "And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not" (v. 23). Why did Christ refuse such a drink? This was a merciful potion customarily given to those un dergoing such suffering. He refused it because the penalty of human sin demanded the unrelieved sufferings of the cruel cross. Nothing less would suffice. - 3. "And the superscription of his. ac cusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS" (v. 26). This super scription was placed over Christ’s cross in derision. But in the providence of God, it became a pungent testimony to the world of the real character and calling of the Saviour. In their folly, men often speak far more than they know. 4. "He saved others; himself he can not save" (v. 31). He had saved others — from sickness, demons, death, and sin. It was also true that He could not save Himself. Physically, He could have done so. But in order to work out the plan of redemption arranged “before the foundation of the world,” He could not save, Himself. Faithful ness and love kept Him there on the cross. 5. "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (v. 34). This has been described as the most awful cry that ever pierced the silencfe of earth. Christ uttered it because it was actually true; it was no mistake. Finite minds can never fully understand why God was compelled to forsake His Son on that dreadful occasion. Sin * always separates man from God. Jesus, as man’s sinbearer, endured the ultimate penalty for sin, and suffered forsaken ness in order that man need not suffer this experience. Golden Text Illustration I s a ia h 53:5 Alexander Whyte tells the story of a man who dreamed that he saw Jesus tied to a whipping post. He saw the whip in a soldier’s hand, with its thick lashes studded hère and there
with bits of lead which were intended to cut into the flesh. As the soldier brought the whip down on the bare shoulders of Jesus, the dreamer shud dered as he saw the marks and blood stains it left behind. When the/soldier raised his hand to strike again, the dreamer rushed forward, intending to stop him. As he did so, the soldier turned around and the dreamer recog nized—himself. We often think 'how cruel those men must have been who scourged and crucified Jesus. But whenever we do wrong, we, too, cause the heart of Jesus to bleed with sorrow and pain. —Christian Herald. God So Loved M a r k 15:21-47 MEMORY VERSE: “The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1 John 4:14). AIM: To show that it was great sin in us and great love in God that gave the Saviour to us. APPROACH: “My, Howard’s mother must love him!” . “ Y e s, did y o u
Win Your Neighbor This potent gospel pamphlet is perfect for house to house canvass or neighborhood dis tribution. Imprint space carries your church name, hours of feervice, invitation or per sonal message. Published monthly: strongly evangelical. Distribute ijn your neighborhood and see your work develop. Write today for' free samples, enclosing stamp for mailing. THE DOORSTEP EVANGEL Dr. Willard M. Aldrich, Editor P. O. Box 1-B _________ Vancouver, Wash. Phone VAndike* 9483 E R IC K P E T E i lS O N FIRST CLASS SHOE REPAIRING 730 W. Sixth St. Los Angeles, 14, Calif. 145 Bibles, 330 New Testaments and lot* of religious literature were distributed among Russian soldiers in 5 months in 16 war-pris oner camps and 4 hospitals by one man alone in a certain •district in Europe. Add the work of other evangelists, and youir heart will be thrilled to think of the thousands of Russian men who after the war will return to their homeland as Christians . . . Will some of them be saved because of y o u r prayers and cooperation in sending the Word of God, to their hungry soulk? Send-air gifts for Russian Bibles and evan gelists to the RUSSIAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, Inc. Rev. F. Jt Miles, International Secretary 1844 W'. Monroe St., Rm. 2, Chicago, 12, III. In Canada: 106 Wlnnett Ave., Toronto 10, Ontario. Read about our work In the “ Friend of Rus sians” —sample copy free. One Thousand Russian Gospels
hear w h a t s h e did? W h e n the doctor sgid that H o w a r d had a very bad kind of illness, and that somebody would have to stay right with him — away from the rest of
the family—and take care of him night and day if he was to get well, his mother said she would be glad to do that, even if it meant she would get the same kind of sickness her self.” Mothers love their boys and girls that much. LESSON STORY: Our lesson today is about Some One who loves us much more than any mother can. Perhaps you did not know that every one of us has something, the matter with us that is much worse than the sickness Howard had. Our trouble is sin. The Bible says, “A ll have sinned”—every man and woman and boy and girl. But there is One who is without sin—
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