The Incomparable Christ

The Incomparable Christ THE INCOMPARABLE CHRIST
By W. D. Bills

Several of the addresses on this Lectureship will deal directly and definitely with the evidences of the divine Sonship of the Lord Jesus Christ and for that reason it shall be my purpose, in the main, to call attention to such utterances and evidences in the word of the Lord which reveal and affirm that Jesus Christ is superior to all human beings, though great they may have been, and that his virtues, services, and accomplishments are without comparison. We are pleased with the selection of this general theme. Nothing is of greater importance, and no subject is more vital or more needed today than that selected for this week’s discussions. In announcing as candidates for places of public trust, men depend upon quite a number of issues, physical and moral powers, to attain success. They rely upon an interesting and commendable background, a prominent place of residence, a strong constituency, and quite frequently one’s personal appearance adds to his possibilities of success. Has it ever occurred to you, my friends, that Jesus, in announcing himself as the Redeemer of this world, and consequently worthy of the praise and confidence of the people, did not depend upon anything usually depended upon by men? He could not boast of distinguished parentage nor of the place of birth or residence; he could not expect contributions from those who became his immediate followers, for they were among the poor and unknown of the land, many of them fishermen by occupation; he did not have money to introduce or promote his cause, not even a place to lay his head, and so far as the record indicates his personal appearance did not advertise him very strongly. The Bible tells us nothing about the appearance of our Lord. We know nothing of his height, his weight, the color of his eyes or hair. God has left the sculptor, artist and image-maker without any definite data upon which to proceed. The only reference in the word of God which seems to refer to the appearance of our Lord is found in Isaiah. In this the prophet said, “When we see him there is no beauty that we should desire him,” and while this may not permit being limited to his personal appearance, it does indicate he was not what would be called an attractive man.

Jesus depended wholly upon the power of his message. If success is to finally crown his humble efforts, it must be because his message gets into the hearts of men and women and turns their minds toward God and things of eternal interest. Jesus depends upon nothing more. The gospel alone is the power of God unto salvation. His plans and relationships as well as aims and determinations are without parallel in the history of this world. Usually men are recognized and commended, and their greatness established, because of some particular outstanding virtue or characteristic. Abraham has been called great because of his faith, Moses because of his meekness, Job because of his patience, Paul because of his loyalty; but Jesus possessed a deeper trust in God than Abraham, a meekness far superior to that of Moses, had greater difficulties and. consequently a more serene patience than Job, and all through his blessed and eventful life exhibited a greater loyalty than Paul. Each of these characteristics was outstanding in the lives of these individuals, yet Jesus possessed each in greater degree than all of them. This could hardly be possible had he been only a man, and the fact that he did thus surpass the great of all the ages of the Bible argues strongly in favor of the plea that he is the Son of God, the incomparable Christ. In a study of the recorded merits of our Lord Jesus Christ as compared with the best and greatest of all the ages, the following facts and considerations warrant the conclusion that none can approximate or approach him, that he alone occupies such places and positions as he did and does occupy, and God has thus determined he is and ever shall be above all beings in heaven and on earth. The Word of God

Jesus had the distinction of being greater than all from the standpoint of longevity of life and an unapproachable list of accomplishments during that time. Turning to the gospel of John we learn that the Word was in the beginning with God, and was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1-14). “In the beginning,” of course, refers to the time of the creation of this earth (Gen. .1:1), and so we read “Let us make man.” Certainly. Jesus was there. He who was made flesh was.in the beginning as the Word of God. Paul says for him, ‘‘A body hast thou prepared me,” But to emphasize this point just a little further, let us hear again the matchless apostle to the Gentiles. “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him and unto him; and he. is before all things and in him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the. beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:15-18), Again we read, “That they may know the mystery of God, even Christ, in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden” (Colossians 2:2-3). And once again, “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principalty and power” (Colossians 2:8-9). A more graphic and wonderful description could not be given than is here given portraying the. high and exalted station of our Lord. Let us analyze it somewhat and see what the apostle really says about him. God’s purpose is that Jesus Christ shall have preeminence above everything in this world, he alone is the bodily expression of the. godhead, he is the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of every creature; all things visible and invisible, thrones, dominions, principalities and powers, have been created by him and for him, he is before all things and by him all things consist or hold together. He is the revealed mystery of God in whom all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden, and it is through him and in him we are made lull. It was through him our cireum • cision was made complete in the circumcision of Christ, in putting off the sins of the flesh, and God’s eternal plan is to sum up all things in him. All this could not possibly bo said of any other who ever lived, in earth or in heaven, and it is because of this we can steadfastly declare he is the incomparable Christ. Not only do we rind these glorious services and divine positions credited to Christ, but during this great period of longevity we find certain references indi eating he was interested and active, in some way, in the affairs of men. Moses lived one hundred and twenty years and died, Abraham lived one hundred and seventy-five years and died, and their activity ceased with their demise ; but during the whole of the Old Testament we find the hand of Jesus Christ our Lord in the affairs of men.

Peter tells us Christ preached to the disobedient spirits when the a»"k was being prepared, and that the salvation thus effected through him will in a similar way be given unto us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, that he is at the right band of God m heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him (.1 Peter 3:17-22). It is not our plan to discuss the apparent difficulties surrounding these verses and the many interpretations offered, simply to say our conviction is that the preaching was done through Noah by the Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, and that the apostle simply says Jesus went and preached to the disobedient and im prisoned antideluvians. So, Jesus was there.

Again we read, “For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual food, and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and that rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:1-4). Not only was Jesus in some form and manner present in the preaching of Noah, thus offering salvation to the disobedient of that generation; but he was the source of spiritual supply to the Israelites in their travels to the land of promise.

Turning now to Christ’s memorable prayer recorded in the seventeenth chapter of John, we hear our Lord as he declares, “I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou hast given me to do. And now, Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was” (John 17:4-5). Jesus was to be no more in the world but was returning to the Father, and was praying for the glory of God’s own self, the glory he had before the beginning of the world. This by no means exhausts the information in the word of God as regards the longevity of our Lord, but is quite sufficient to establish the fact that in this particular none other can compare to him, and consequently he is the incomparable Christ.

Christ a Servant

One of the difficult things for the ordinary man is to meekly step from a place of authority and position to the menial task of servitude. The condescension of our Lord in this particular is the most interesting and startling on record. Paul said, “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man he. humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross” (Php_2:5-8).

Jesus was in the presence of God and equal with God, yet emptied himself of this divine glory and took the form of a servant, being made in the fashion of a man. Jesus actually emptied himself of the glory he had with the Father before the world was and took upon himself the likeness of men and thus gave the world the greatest example of condescension and service. He became our bondservant, the prince of glory, the Son of God; that personage equally with God is now divested of the eternal and coveted glory to become a bondservant! From our human and selfish way of thinking it is just as impossible as anything can be, and can only be explained on the basis that he was the Son of God and our sacrifice for sin. Not only is the superiority of Christ emphasized from the fact that he condescended to become a bondservant, but it is further emphasized in the nature and extent of the service rendered. In Matthew 18:21-35 we find the story of the two debtors and the two debts, and in this parable we find the spirit of the service of Christ. The first debtor owed his Lord ten thousand talents, whereas the second owed this particular debtor only a hundred shillings. The two debts were in comparison as $17 to $10,000,000. The lesson is given to teach us we must forgive—how often we must forgive, and the matter of our forgiveness as compared to the forgiveness of our Lord is as a hundred shillings compared to ten thousand talents! Thus in the matter of forgiveness Jesus has demonstrated his superiority and evidenced his rightful place as the Son of God. But the parable emphasizes the spirit and extent of Christ’s forgiveness, his forgiveness in principle, while in John 13:1-16 we discover the service of Christ in actual example. Here Jesus had washed the disciples’ feet, and said, “I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done unto you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, A servant is not greater than his Lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.” From these lessons we find the eternal distance comprehended in the service of Christ and how far greater is he than others of earth’s greatest servants, his service reaches all the way from the most menial to that of granting unto us the actual remission of our sins, and this could not possibly be said of any other who ever lived on this earth. He raised the dead, healed the sick and crippled, opened the eyes and unstopped the ears of the blind and deaf, and finally arose from the dead for our justification, thus evidencing in this great service that he is truly the Son of God.

Jesus An Example

Jesus is also held up before the world as the one and only example which men may follow and be certain no mistake will be made. Peter informs us, ‘Tor hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:21-23).Here is our example, in that he did no sin. Not another in all the world has been sinless! Because of this he is the embodiment of perfection and an example worthy of emulation. Jesus said to his disciples, “Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Though we are told that we shall be perfect, just as our Lord is perfect, we are very conscious none of us are and none have ever been. John says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” and “if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Though instructed to be perfect, we are deeply conscious such is impossible! Did Jesus, therefore, mean that we are to be sinless in this life, that we are to grow unto a state of sinless perfection in this world? We hardly think so. You will notice he said, “Ye therefore shall be perfect,” and the word “therefore” indicates a conclusion from previous statements. In the context we learn he instructed that one must, if forced to go a mile; go the, second mile; if one smite the right cheek, turn the other also; if one take away the coat, give him the cloak also; and in this act we learn the les-son of “perfection” taught by our Lord. The perfection we are to have is the willingness and ability to go the second mile. Jesus is drawing the lesson (f the natural and unnatural, the human and natural thing to do about matters, and then going beyond that. It is not quite reasonable, if forced to go with one a mile, to propose to go a second mile—that is just a little more than our judgment would suggest. And so it is with God, we are to be perfect as he is perfect. He has done for us more than was the natural and human thing to do, he had gone far beyond what could in the very nature of the case be expected. In this he showed a perfection above the natural, and this must be characteristic of his children We hear much about sacrifice these days, Out one cannot con template the idea of sacrifice until the second mile is begun. Until we step from the natural and expected to the supernatural and unexpected we shall find no real sacrifice. And this brink's us to the range of relative perfection 'where we shall be somewhat like unto our Lord who was perfect in the absolute.

Christ also becomes our example in that no guile was found in his mouth. Peter said, “But like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living” (1 Peter 1:15). Again, “Put away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrieies, and envies, and all evil speaking.” (1 Peter 2:1). Throughout the New Testament Jesus and his inspired apostles have been very definite, about the language Christians shall use. Paul speaks of foolish talking and jesting which are not befitting (Ephesians 5:4), and admonishes the church at Colosse to put away all shameful speaking out of their mouth (Colossians 3:8). Peter informs us that Lot was vexed, or tormented day by day in seeing and hearing the lawless deeds of the wicked of his day (2 Peter 2:7-8). The Christian, therefore, is to honor the name of Christ, not only with a clean life but with a clean speech. No corrupt communications are to proceed from his mouth, he is to be holy in all manner of living and refrain from all evil speaking. He is not to engage in conversations which include foolish talking and jesting which are not befitting, but on the other hand is to follow the example of Lot in that all such will vex or torment the soul The followers of Christ must be clean in speech, and to that end our Lord set the most perfect example this world has ever known. But there is another very important way in which Jesus became our example. He tells us he came tc do the will of God. and Paul informs us he learned obedience by the things which he suffered. Concerning his followers he said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). In verse h of the same chapter he tells us they will not hear the voice of strangers. In this a most interesting and valuable lesson is presented. Jesus gave us a commendable example of service and expects loyalty from us. We are to follow implicitly the way he directs. The example of Christ, then, offers a three-fold lesson. He was our example of a clean life, a clean speech, and a clean service. We are to follow him in these particulars. He alone was qualified to set such an example, for he was the Son of God. The Great Teacher

Another very important particular in which Jesus is the incomparable, is that he was the greatest of ell teachers. Great teachers have been a blessing in all ages of the world. It is through them oui children are inspired to greater things in life, and it must be evident to all that the teacher contributes about as much to the moulding of the character of the child as do the parents. For that reason the study of teacher and pupil has ever been considered important. Though there have been great teachers in every department of human advancement and accomplishment, none have ever reached the plane occupied by our Lord.

Nicodemus said Jesus was a teacher come from God. The place or institution from which a teacher comes is a fair evidence of his standards as a teacher. Since Jesus came from God, and Nicodemus was correct, he is as far above men as a teacher as heaven is above earth, and his wisdom as far superior as the wisdom of God is superior to the wisdom of men. A teacher usually has his credentials as to his training and ability. These are his evidence, and having such credentials he expects a hearing from those to whom he appeals. The evidence or credentials of our Lord Jesus Christ are found in the fact that “no man can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him.” The miracles of Jesus were his evidence that he came from God, and they singularly attest the fact of his superiority as a teacher.

Again we read that he taught them as one having authority (Matthew 7:29). He spoke with positive and divine confidence. He entertained not one doubt as to the truth of his utterances. There was no speculation in his teaching. He never began with a hypothesis and ended with a guess. He spoke with positiveness and evidenced sublime confidence in his message.

Another angle on the ability of our Lord as a teacher is his preparation. We read, “And Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). We do not propose to assume anything as to the ability of our Lord, what he did or did not know, could or could not do, simply and only to call attention to the fact that Jesus advanced in wisdom and knowledge and in favor with God and man. Whatever other lessons this may present, it does convey the fact that he made ample preparation for his life’s work and that preparation was gradual. Not only did he enjoy a gradual increase in physical and mental ability, but he came to better know and consequently better instruct and' lead those taught by him. His ability, therefore, as a teacher, includes gradual and satisfactory development, and implies a preparation adequate for the task he came to perform.

Too frequently teachers are abstract and selfish. They teach, not for the joy of teaching and the business of moulding character; but for the revenue involved. Having received that they have no further concern. Their interest in such work extends no further than pay day. But not so with our Lord. His interest in his teaching was more than human. He was not trying to inculcate a theory, but lead men to God. The great burden of his life was to save people, and his principles and standards were necessary thereto. Thus we learn why he was so careful and definite in the things he taught. He said, “We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4). “I must be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49). “I glorified thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). A stewardship had been appointed unto him and he felt the urgency of his work. He knew his task, had come with a definite instruction, and turned neither to the right nor left until the task was finished.

Every efficient teacher knows perfectly that one’s methods have much to do with his success as a teacher. A whole evening could be given to the methods of Jesus as the great teacher, and even then the subject would not be exhausted. All through the New Testament we find emphatic statements and helpful examples of the method of teaching, and these methods vary according to the attitude and character of the person taught. To some Jesus could say, “Woe unto you, scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites.” In one chapter we find this expression some eight times. This harsh rebuke, this cold challenge to their sincerity and honesty was demanded because of what they were,' yet on other occasions his attitude and methods were entirely different. To Nicodemus he cou!d say, “Verily, verily. I say unto thee, except one be born of water and spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” Again, “Art thou a teacher in Israel and know- est not these things?” How different bis tone, how much more considerate his attitude!

Many of us as teachers of the word of God should learn the lesson of the importance, of proper methods in declaring his wdl. Our forbearance or gentleness is to be known unto all men, and we are to show all meekness toward all. Our speech must be with grace, seasoned with 'salt, that we may know how to answer every man (Colossians 3:6). We sincerely believe great damage has been done to the cause of Christ in many communities by bitterness and unnecessary harshness and criticism on the part of preachers, when conditions did not warrant such methods. Teachers must “affirm confidently, to the end that they who believe in God may be careful to maintain good works” (Titus 2:8), but this definite and uncompromising procedure must be in the spirit of Christ. nother outstanding characteristic of our Lord as a great teacher, was the influence of his teaching. After Pentecost, when the apostles wTere instructed to no longer teach in the. name of Jesus, Peter said, “For we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard” (Acts 4:20). Again, “And they stoned Stephen, calb’ng upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:39). These expressions speak loudly as to the influence of the teaching of Jesus unon his friends and followers. These disciples were so certain of their position and so deeply convinced that Jesus Christ was the Son of God that they gave their lives as a testimony to their conviction.

Another consideration worthy of study regarding Jesus as a great teacher is observed in his success. Not all teachers who are great in information are great in success. In fact, some of the most learned are failures as regards practical success. Not so with the Master Teacher. “All the saints salute you, especially they of Caesar’s household” (Php_4:20). “And a great company of priests were obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). “So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed” (Acts 19:20). “If so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven, whereof I Paul was made a minister” (Colossians 1:23). Evidently Jesus was a success as a teacher, not only while he walked upon the earth, but the influence of his teaching has gone on and on, and is today a tremendous influence upon the hearts and lives of men and women m all the land. Prejudiced priests could not resist his worthy and unselfish appeal, his word made its way into the household of the rulers of the nation, and it so mightily grew and prevailed that within a half of a century it had gone to every creature under heaven. No other message has traveled so extensively and under such difficulties and hazards as has the gospel of Christ, and today his teaching per meates every department of our thinking. Surely, as a teacher, he was wonderfully successful, more so than would have been possible had he been other than the Son of the eternal God.

Perhaps the most interesting and commanding thing found in his life as a teacher is in the lesson taught. “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:25). No egotism was found in his bearing, no selfishness in his message. His lesson was one of giving. He thought always of the other person. He died not only for his friends but his enemies as well, and his ever interesting lessons of unselfishness and good-will are a constant testimony to his greatness as a teacher. From these considerations we observe the superiority of Christ as a teacher, in that he presented better evidence, better credentials; he had unfaltering confidence in his message; he made am^ple and startling preparation for his work as a teacher; his interest was in perfect keeping with the importance and significance of his message; his methods were just, natural, holy and helpful; his influence so deep and abiding that his death and passing in no way affected the ardor and determination of those who believed in him; his success belted the globe, including in his group of faithful followers those of the emperor’s household as well as the most ignorant and ignoble of the land. How could this be if we reject the claim that he was the Christ, the Son of the living God?

Jesus Our Savior and Redeemer Not only has Jesus been presented to us as the earth’s greatest teacher, but he alone of all who have lived upon the earth or in heaven could be our Savior, and he alone has been chosen by the Father to finally call or redeem us from the grave. The message of the angel was, “Thou shalt call his name Jesus for it is he that shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). A world lost in sin through him has the opportunity to be redeemed from both sin and the grave. “And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of th£ Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:23). This waiting and groaning would have no end, and there could be no redemption for the bodies of the soldiers of Christ who have fallen in battle, had it not been for the sacrifice by our Lord in becoming the offering for our sins. Jesus came to this earth for the express purpose of providing a means for our escape, and yet sacrifice on his part was necessary to qualify him for the task. “And having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9). Jesus came to do the will of God, began at the age of twelve by saying he must be about his Father’s business, and upon the cross at the age of thirty-three said “it is finished.” He met every re-quirement of God, even to the death upon the cross, fulfilling every obligation crowded into his short and busy life, but if we are to enjoy the blessings thus provided for us, we must obey him; He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him, and short of this he has not promised to save any of us. It is not, however, the distinction given to the necessity of obedience that declares his superiority, but the fact that he did what none other could do, became what no other could become, and thus gave us the right of obedience with the promise of eternal salvation.

Many good men have lived m this world, and cer-tainly the angels about the throne of God who delight to do his service are righteous and holy, yet not one has ever qualified for the tremendous task of saving this world from sin. It was necessary that one be capable of representing both God and man, of blending earth and heaven. Angels perhaps could represent God to many, they know his goodness, love and mercy, and that he is patient and longsuffering; but they could not represent man to God, knowing nothing of our fleshly weakness, temptation and sin. Among the great and good of the earth no doubt one could be found to represent man to God, but could not represent God to man. Consequently, it was necessary to have one both God and man, one who knows God and knows man, one who can properly and righteously represent both earth and heaven, and Jesus Christ our Lord is the only one thus qualified. He is our Priest and .Advocate, he is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He knows how to sy mpathize with us in all our trials and weaknesses, having been tempted in all points just as we have been; and he also understands the goodness and mercy of God as well as justice and the demands of his law. Eliminate Christ from the picture of the redeemed throngs of this earth and your picture quickly fades and disappears. Among the living and dead of time, and eternity Jesus alone has the right and distinction of being the Savior of fallen and sinful men.

God’s plan of redemption embraces more than deliverance from sin. If in this life only we have hope we would be most pitiable. Deliverance from sin and a life of righteousness would be exceedingly valuable even if this world were to end it all. The Christian life would pay royal dividends if there were no hereafter. It would make better homes, better fathers and mothers and children, ^nd better citizens. Only through the principles of the Christian religion do we learn the lesson that each is his brother’s keeper. Fortunately for us, this life does not end it all, there is a hereafter, a heaven to gain and a hell to shun, and it is through our Lord Jesus Christ that we shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious and final liberty of the sons of God. Paul said, “We groan within ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Jesus came to earth to destroy him that had the power of death and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hence we read, “Marvel not at this: for the hour cometh, in which all that are in the tombs shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resur-rection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29). Through Moses and the prophets God spoke to those under the first covenant, but now speaks to us through his Son. By the living word of God, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are called from darkness into his marvelous light, from the power of satan unto God, and it will be by his word that the sleeping nations of the earth shall be called from the grave, and this shall take place in that hour ordained by our heavenly Father. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we that are alive, that are left, shall to'gether with them be caught up into the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The apostle affirms nothing here regarding the wicked. His discussion is about the righteous, dead and alive. The living shall not precede those who are dead, but the dead shall rise first and the living shall be caught tip to meet them in the air and shall ever be with the Lord. Though the wicked shall be raised at that time, this Scripture does not contemplate them.

Jesus has been appointed as the great sacrifice for our sins and has qualified as the Savior of the world. He translated us from darkness to light and calls us unto himself where we are new creatures in Christ Jesus. He will finally speak to those who sleep in cold and pulseless clay, call them from their graves to meet him in the air, and provide new bodies and a new home wherein dwelleth righteousness. Jesus alone could become our Savior and his voice alone will be heard when the saints are called to higher ground. None other ever qualified for such service, consequently none, even the best of the earth, can favorably compare with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Our Judge and Rewarder

Another evidence of the superiority of Jesus is the fact that he has been appointed as the judge of all the earth. ‘Inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). Even though God is longsuffering unto us now, not willing that any should perish but that all should come unto repentance, a day has been set when all men shall appear before the great judgment bar of God. God has assured us of this in that he has raised our Lord from the dead. Jesus will be the judge whose decisions will be righteous, just and unquestionable (John 5:30). He will judge both living and dead of every thought, word and act. “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be bad” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Paul tells us “God will judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ” (Romans 2:16). We need not be surprised about the judgments of God, for they are clearly revealed in the word of God. A definite day has been appointed, the judge selected, and the code of judgment revealed. Jesus Christ will ascend the throne of judgment and before him all the nations shall gather. His judgments shall be according to truth (Romans 2:2), and without prejudice, bias or respect of persons. He knows all men, even to the secrets of our hearts, and is qualified to render a verdict of mercy as well as justice, but let us not forget that his decisions will be “according to each man’s work” (1 Peter 1:17). Frequently in the judgments of this earth there is more or less partiality and respect of persons, but not so with the great judge of all the earth. He will show no partiality and there will be no alibi on the part of any one. The very fact that Jesus can and will judge the earth in right-eousness and according to truth, even the secrets of the heart, and without a single exception his judgment will be just, is a definite evidence of the superiority of our Lord.

Confidence in his standard of conduct gives one positive assurance as he faces the unseen. When the peerless apostle to the Gentiles stood in a Roman court, he could declare, “I have fought a good fight, I have fin-ished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 2:7-8). Paul was conscious the end was near, but he was not afraid. Perhaps he was rather glad the end of his hazardous and eventful life had come. He would depart now and be with the Lord, and with him this was the greatest consolation of his life. For this he had worked and for this he would now gladly die. As a soldier, he had fought a good fight; as a runner, he had finished the course; as a steward, he had kept the faith. He knew the righteousness of the judge before whom he would now appear, and in his heart had every reason to believe there would not be one accusation. He knew Christ “in whim he had believed and was fully persuaded he was able to keep that which he had committed unto him against that day.” We thank God for such bravery, for such stedfast endurance, and for such loyalty and devotion, but more so for such love and sacrifice on the part God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord to make the Christian life possible. Truly, he is the Incomparable Christ.