The Response To Calvary

by Jones, A. H. | Category: Fellowship And Unity: | Feb 1950

Consideration of any subject relative to the will of God can well

commence at the Cross of Calvary. All the purposes of God in ages past focussed on the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the ages to come every eternal joy will spring from the finished work of Calvary's Cross.

The subject before us leads us to the

"Sweet resting place of every heart

That feels the plague of sin;

Yet knows that deep mysterious joy,

The peace of God within."

As we contemplate that blessed One hanging in death upon the Cross we remember the word spoken by Caiaphas, who sat in Moses' seat, and prophesied that

"Jesus should die . . . . , that He might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad" (John ii. 51-52). Many are the blessings which flow to us from Calvary's Cross and

not least among these is the joy of giving ~xpression to divine unity on earth. It is sad to-day that many seek for a religious unity that finds its concept in a spirit of compromise and worldly wisdom. Modern theology too often, alas, does away with the cross in its message, presenting another gospel which is not another gospel, but a lying message, re-echoing the lie spoken so long ago in Eden-" Ye shall be as God" (Genesis 3.5).

Oh that we might, like Paul of old, faithfully preach "Christ ertwi fled" I The glorious gospel demonstrates in the shameful crime of the Cross mankind's utter depravity and yet proclaims the wondrous message of God's infinite love.

As of old, so in the twentieth century, it is

"Unto Jen's a stumbling block, and unto Gentiles foolishness" (1 Corinthians 1.28).

Yet we rejoice to find in such a message our hope for time and eternity.

Thus the Cross of Christ stands as the mark of separation hetween the world and children of God; a veritable ancient landmark:

"The Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath heen crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6.14).

Let us consider the scene of the Cross in this light. Above the

thorn-crowned Head we behold the superscription of His accusation:

"JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS" (John 19.19).

It was written in Hebrew and in Latin and in Greek. How significant this was, and is tO-day! Hebrew was the language of those who should have received Him, but who in the words of the parable, said,

"This is the Heir; cOme, let us kill Him" (Matthew 21.88).

Do we not see here the attitude of the religious world to-day? They have a formal religion, but divorce it from the Christ of Calvary's Cross.

The Latin language is without doubt significant of the political world-Rome, the great empire with traditions in many ways that accord with man's idea of good government. How sad it is to-day to see children of God entangled in the mesh of political affairs, linked with political associations where there is no responsive submission to the will of God!

The Greek language reminds us of the cultural attainments of the world. Let children of God beware lest they become ensnared in that form of worldly activity that produces profound philosophy, kit finds no room for the Lord Jesus as the Saviour of sinners.

How true are the words of Holy Scripture !

"He was in the 'world, and the 'world 'was made by Him, and the

world knew Him not" (John 1.10).

They found no room in the inn at His birth, He had nowhere to lay His head during the days of His ministry; and the world's rejection of the Son of God culminated in the crime of the cross.

Turning our eyes from the superscription written above the thorncrowned head of the Lord Jesus, let us contemplate the attitude of the soldiers who " sat and watched Him there." Carelessly indifferen~ to the suffering inflicted by themselves upon the patient, forgiving One, and entirely ignorant of the greater sorrow that caused Him to cry, "Eli, Eli, lama sabacthani," they cast lots beneath the Cross. At first it would seem that all are united in their derision of "The Man of Sorrows." We see in figure the world, religious, political, and cultural, in a horrible unity and fellowship which was of the Devil. But we look closely and behold a little band of different demeanour.

"But there 'were standing by the 'cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene" (Joha 19.25).

John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was with them also. Truly a separate company '~nited in their love for the Lord! Each one had known personal blessing from Him and each had responded to His claims of love.

The attitude of the world to the crucified Man of Calvary remains unchanged to-day, and children of God who realize this find themselves associated with One who is rejected, and as they are~faithful to Him find they are called upon to share His rejection. If this be once appreciated the questions of separation are settled and we can no longer find peace in association ~ith the world's systems, be they religious, political, or cultural. Like the Psalmist we say,

"I am for peace:

But when I speak, they are for war" (see Psalm 120.).

We thus realize the force of the prayer of the Lord Jesus for His own when He said,

"They are not of the 'world, even as I am not of the 'world" (Joha 17.16).

But let us rejoice that the Cross th~t separates from the world is the means of reconcijiation to God, for we are "reconciled to God through the death of His Son."

"But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2.18).

Let us ponder the sublime significance of the words the Lord Jesus uses to describe the relationship of His own with Himself:

Ye are My friends, if ye do the things that I command you" (John 15.14).

"Go tell my brethren" (Matthew 28.10).

"I will declare Thy ~ame unto My brethren" (Hebrews 2.12).

What a wondrous fact! The Cross demonstrates our utterly

'hopeless attitude of enmity to God yet offers complete reconciliation to God and His Son, so complete that w~ whose spirits were antagonistic to God can find ourselves rejoicing in fellowship with Hun.

Fellowship with God provides the only true basis for Christian fel]owship one with another. Again it is at the Cross we find it possible to become obedient to that form of teaching that is revealed -in the word of God and provides the pattern for "Brethren to dwell together in unity."

United by the death of Christ, we find His faithful followers banded together around their resurrected Lord. After His ascension they ever had before them the glorious fact that "God hath made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified" (Acts

2 86).

Being found in fellowship with Him who is at the right hand of God exalted, they were "of one accord" (Acts 1.14). This accord led to the con crete expression of their fellowship with Him, as unitedly they manifested their steadfast purpose to honour and serve the Son of God.

We read in Acts 2. of the preaching of Peter and its wondrous effect upon those who heard. Many of those, whose jeers had likely falJen upon the ears of the Lord Jesus as He hung on the cross, were pricked in their heart. The crime of Calvary was brought home to their conscience by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.

Repentant and obedient they soon found their place with those who were of one accord and they

"Continued stedfastly in . . . the Fellowship" (Acts 2.42).

A perusal of the early chapters of the Acts of the Apostles Will reveal their separation from "the rest" and their sweet fellowship with each other. A few quotations will demonstrate this.

"And day by day, continuing steadfastly 'with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they did take their food with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and havingfo'vour with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved" (Acts 2.46, 47).

"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul" (Acts 4.82).

"And they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. But of the rest durst no man join hi~'el' to them: howbest the people magnified them; and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women" (Acts 5.12-14).

This pristine state of accord was soon lost in the early centuries of this era of grace. Sectarian and party spirit entered in, finding much of its cause in wrong doctrine about the Lord Himself.

We ask ourselve~, Is it possible to know this happy condition and position to-day? Has the Cross lost aught of its power? Surely we who know Christ as the power of God unto salvation are assured. it has not!

"We preach Christ cruesfied."

Hearts that appreciate this message in its fulness, will delight in giving expression to all that it involves. Finding themselves separated from the world they can still unite in absolute obedience to Him who said, "All authority hath been given unto Me" (Matthew 28.18). Such will find common ground in honouring Him and, being "called of God," will find themselves "together with one accord" in

"The Fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

Jones, A. H. | Feb 1950
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