Chapter II - Atonement And Eucharist
Gethsemane glorified
48:1
ble material intelligence. The pangs of neglect and the
ble material intelligence. The pangs of neglect and the
staves of bigoted ignorance smote him sorely. His stu-
dents slept. He said unto them: "Could ye
not watch with me one hour?" Could they
not watch with him who, waiting and struggling in voice-
less agony, held uncomplaining guard over a world?
There was no response to that human yearning, and so
Jesus turned forever away from earth to heaven, from
sense to Soul.
48:10
Remembering the sweat of agony which fell in holy
Remembering the sweat of agony which fell in holy
benediction on the grass of Gethsemane, shall the hum-
blest or mightiest disciple murmur when he drinks from the
same cup, and think, or even wish, to escape the exalt-
ing ordeal of sin's revenge on its destroyer? Truth and
Love bestow few palms until the consummation of a
life-work.
Defensive weapons
48:17
Judas had the world's weapons. Jesus had not one
Judas had the world's weapons. Jesus had not one
of them, and chose not the world's means of defence.
"He opened not his mouth." The great dem-
onstrator of Truth and Love was silent before
envy and hate. Peter would have smitten the enemies of
his Master, but Jesus forbade him, thus rebuking re-
sentment or animal courage. He said: "Put up thy
sword."
Pilate's question
48:25
Pale in the presence of his own momentous question,
Pale in the presence of his own momentous question,
"What is Truth," Pilate was drawn into acquiescence
with the demands of Jesus' enemies. Pilate
was ignorant of the consequences of his awful
decision against human rights and divine Love, knowing
not that he was hastening the final demonstration of what
life is and of what the true knowledge of God can do for
man.
49:1
The women at the cross could have answered Pilate's
The women at the cross could have answered Pilate's
question. They knew what had inspired their devotion,
winged their faith, opened the eyes of their understand-
ing, healed the sick, cast out evil, and caused the disciples
to say to their Master: "Even the devils are subject
unto us through thy name."
Students' ingratitude
49:7
Where were the seventy whom Jesus sent forth? Were
Where were the seventy whom Jesus sent forth? Were
all conspirators save eleven? Had they forgotten the
great exponent of God? Had they so soon lost
sight of his mighty works, his toils, privations,
sacrifices, his divine patience, sublime courage, and unre-
quited affection? O, why did they not gratify his last
human yearning with one sign of fidelity?
Heaven's sentinel
49:14
The meek demonstrator of good, the highest instruc-
The meek demonstrator of good, the highest instruc-
tor and friend of man, met his earthly fate alone with
God. No human eye was there to pity, no
arm to save. Forsaken by all whom he had
blessed, this faithful sentinel of God at the highest
post of power, charged with the grandest trust of
heaven, was ready to be transformed by the renewing
of the infinite Spirit. He was to prove that the Christ
is not subject to material conditions, but is above the
reach of human wrath, and is able, through Truth,
Life, and Love, to triumph over sin, sickness, death, and
the grave.
Cruel contumely
49:26
The priests and rabbis, before whom he had meekly
The priests and rabbis, before whom he had meekly
walked, and those to whom he had given the highest
proofs of divine power, mocked him on the
cross, saying derisively, "He saved others;
himself he cannot save." These scoffers, who turned
"aside the right of a man before the face of the Most
High," esteemed Jesus as "stricken, smitten of God."