April 1929
170
T h e
K i n g ' s
B u s i n e s s
The Call of the Cross B y the R ev . J ohn W ood
f N this hour of the world’s great spiritual need the church is stressing Evangelism as never before. In newspapers and on billboards the world of man is being called to consider the cross of Jesus Christ and His claims upon life, and every where men are exhorted to “Make the Mission a Success.” The most stupendous religious advertising pro gram ever engineered by a church is being staged by the Catholic denomination, and by newspaper and billboard, radio and special church service, men are being called to consider the “Call of the Cross.” Protestant Christianity is placing great stress upon the Lenten period as never before, not so much as a time for the prohibition of “indulgences” but for a greater indulgence in spiritual feastings. In the Methodist Church, from the board of Bishops down to the humblest pastor of the most obscure village, the call of the cross is being sounded calling men to a reconsideration of the spiritual evaluation of life. Evangelism is the “Good News” of the kingdom. The Gospel is the “Good News” of Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world. “Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for He shall save the people from their sins.” The cross of Calvary is the visible expression of the redemptive pro cess effected and worked out by God as the “Good News” of God to men. The cross of Calvary is the everlasting token of redemption and salvation. “And they came to a place called Calvary.” “God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of—Calvary.” The cross of Christ is the center of the world’s best life. You can not evade it, it stands at the crossroads of every man’s life and must be faced. You can not go round it, its arms are too wide; you can not dig under it, its roots are too deep; you can not climb over it, its head reaches the sky. There is only one thing a man can do with the cross of Christ and that is to face it and answer the question—“What shall I do with Jesus that is called’Christ?” Hoc signo vinces. “O timeless cross, so dark set, and gory, With its blood-ransom for a world of sin! O timeless cross, set in eternal glory— The love that made our heaven, and calls us in.” On the elevated railroad running between Evanston and Chicago is a little station called “Calvary.” It takes its name from a cemetery located nearby bearing that name. The station is unimportant and cars stop only on signal or call. As the train approaches the station the conductor enters the car and calls—“Anybody for Cal vary ?” and only as there chances to be a passenger for the station will the train be stopped. There are many stations on the railroad of life. Bun- yan describes some of them in his immortal book. One of these stations is called “Vanity Fair.” | A great many travelers get off at this station. Another station is called “Market Place.” There men stop to barter and trade. Another station is called “Broad Way.” Many people stop here. Trains stop regularly at these stations but stop only on signal at the place called “Calvary.” “Anybody for Cal vary?” is the cry of the servant of Jesus Christ in his service to mankind.
In the heart of London is a place where four roads meet and intersect each other. It is called “Charing Cross.” The omnibus runs from various parts of the city to this center of London life. At the starting-point the conductor, wishing to notify the passers-by or traveler of the destination of his bus, will cry—“Any more for the Cross? Any more for the Cross?” All understand that cry; it is part of the commercial life of the great city. The preacher is the guard and conductor on Life’s great railway. He stands and cries, “Anybody for Cal vary?” “Any more for the Cross?” The railway to heaven stops only on signal. On the dome of saint Paul’s Cathedral, London, stands the mighty cross. Its shadow is cast on the pavement below. Men find shelter in its shadow “ from the burning of the noontide heat and the burden of the day.” The cross of Christ is the only Gospel for a world of sin. Sociology, Principles of Politics, Advanced Science, The Humanities, Benevolence, The Christianizing of the Social Order, Industrialism, Pacificism, World Peace Move ments, Movements of Reform, not any or all of these things can effect the redemption of mankind. Only the cross. The cross is God’s sign for the pardon of sin, and therefore we cry—“Anybody for Calvary?” “Any more for the Cross?” “From the cross uplifted high, Where the Saviour deigned to die, You are called, to the cross because it is the Mercy seat where man can meet God. It is called “The Blest Mercy Seat.” You are called to the cross because it is the I place 'of Expiation. As in the days of Egypt, so today God says, “When I see the blood I will pass over you.” You are called to the cross because it is the place of Reconciliation. At the cross, man and God estranged from each other are made “at-one.” The cross is the place of a spiritual reconciliation and atonement. You are called to the cross because it is the place of Propitiation. “He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” You are called to the cross because it is the place of Justification. By faith we accept Christ as Saviour and Redeemer. " Justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” You are called to the cross because it is the place of Transfiguration. Here men are made “new creatures,” transformed, renewed, transfigured. You are called to the cross because it is the place o f Illumination. The Salvationists sing: “At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light What melodious sounds I hear Bursting on my ravished ear! ‘Love’s redeeming work is done, Come, thou art welcome, sinner, come.’ ”
And the burden of my heart rolled away, It was there by faith I received my sight, And now I am happy all the day.”
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