Sunday Discussion: The Science of the Cross

Bible Discussion: The Science of the Cross

30/08/20

Last Sabbath on Zoom meeting we briefly discussed the 'Shadows of the Cross', it was a blessing. In one of the statements in the quotations stated that 'the unfallen world together with the redeemed will find in the cross their science and study for eternal ages'. This was a huge statement which needs a follow up and further analysis. At first we need to define words so that we can fully understand what we will be discussing this morning. What is true science?"In a general sense, knowledge, or certain knowledge; the comprehension or understanding of truth or facts by the mind. The science of God must be perfect" Webster dictionary [1828]. This perfect understanding of truth as revealed by the scriptures is what is missing in modern science no wonder many are left confused by their hypothesis which they propose to be factual, I am sorry but I am sceptical about social engineered philosophy that masked as science. There is however promises in the scriptures that if we seek for knowledge, we shall know the truth and the truth will set us free from the slavery of deception (paraphrase of John 8:32). "We should exert all the powers of the mind in the study of the Scriptures, and should task the understanding to comprehend, as far as mortals can, the deep things of God; yet we must not forget that the docility and submission of a child is the true spirit of the learner. Scriptural difficulties can never be mastered by the same methods that are employed in grappling with philosophical problems. We should not engage in the study of the Bible with that self-reliance with which so many enter the domains of science, but with a prayerful dependence upon God, and a sincere desire to learn his will"GC88 599.1. There is also another promise given  especially for us who are living in the ends of the world: "And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand" Daniel 12:9-10.

Our scripture reading: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory"1 Timothy 3:16.

When was the last time you shed tears when you studied the scenes at Calvary? We have been so used to violence on the streets or media and have a Hollywood understanding of this story. I can shamefully admit that years ago I watched "The Passion of the Christ" by Mel Gibson et al, what I watched was of no profit to my spirituality, they just depict the ignominious death of a "man". A shallow reading of the scenes of judgement and that of the cross may even cause us to shed tears like the women at Golgotha whose own children were to perish at the destruction of Jerusalem in AD. 70. All I am saying is that violence is the sport of our days, how can those who daily imbibe in violence truly appreciate the significance of a violent scene in the gospels, do we really think that the unfiltered of violence on the internet, news, "Grand Theft Auto", UFC, WWE, Boxing and Netflix movies have no effect on our sensitivity to actual violence?It's not the violence and the perpetrators of it we should be studying intensively, many know the prophetic message regarding the "effect" in the form of persecution, calamities and pestilences but they don't know about the "cause", the great controversy between righteousness and iniquity, Truth and Error ultimately Christ and Satan. 

"The mystery of the cross explains all other mysteries. In the light that streams from Calvary, the attributes of God which had filled us with fear and awe appear beautiful and attractive. Mercy, tenderness, and parental love are seen to blend with holiness, justice, and power. While we behold the majesty of his throne, high and lifted up, we see his character in its gracious manifestations, and comprehend, as never before, the significance of that endearing title, our Father"GC88 652.1.

The things that are mysterious to many have their explanation in the cross. I remember when I was studying 'Tort Law' the leading case we looked at was that of Donoghue v Stevenson [1932], the question the worldlings were asking had it's answer in the scriptures, " who is my neighbour?", Christ used the parable of the Good Samaritan to answer this complex question and so did the judge Lord Atkin used Christ's wisdom to solve a legal problem. "Who, then, in law, is my neighbour? The answer seems to be—persons who are so closely and directly affected by my act that I ought reasonably to have them in contemplation as being so affected when I am directing my mind to the acts or omissions which are called in question" Lord Atkin. "The Samaritan had fulfilled the command, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,” thus showing that he was more righteous than those by whom he was denounced. Risking his own life, he had treated the wounded man as his brother. This Samaritan represents Christ. Our Saviour manifested for us a love that the love of man can never equal. When we were bruised and dying, He had pity upon us. He did not pass us by on the other side, and leave us, helpless and hopeless, to perish. He did not remain in His holy, happy home, where He was beloved by all the heavenly host. He beheld our sore need, He undertook our case, and identified His interests with those of humanity. He died to save His enemies. He prayed for His murderers. Pointing to His own example, He says to His followers, “These things I command you, that ye love one another”; “as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 15:17; 13:34. COL 381.1

Love is the basis of godliness. Whatever the profession, no man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for his brother. But we can never come into possession of this spirit by trying to love others. What is needed is the love of Christ in the heart. When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within—when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance. - COL 384.2

The glory of heaven is in lifting up the fallen, comforting the distressed. And wherever Christ abides in human hearts, He will be revealed in the same way. Wherever it acts, the religion of Christ will bless. Wherever it works, there is brightness. - COL 386.1

In the parable, Christ exalts the Samaritan above the priest and the Levite, who were great sticklers for the letter of the law in the ten commandments. The one obeyed the spirit of these commandments, while the other was content to express an exalted faith in them. But the apostle tells us that “faith without works is dead.” - BEcho December 1, 1886

Jesus was the foundation of the Jewish economy, the author of all their laws, statutes, and requirements. How his soul was pained and his heart filled with grief as he saw those who claimed to be the depositaries of truth, mercy, and compassion, so destitute of the love of God. The Saviour is guiding. He has hold of man and of the throne of divinity. In the providence of God, the priest and Levite were brought in contact with a suffering fellow creature, that they might minister to him. Christ is constantly weaving the web of human events. He placed this suffering man where one who had sympathy and compassion would give attention to his needs. The Lord permits suffering and calamity to come upon men and women to call us out of our selfishness, to awaken in us the attributes of his character,—compassion, tenderness, and love. - RH October 10, 1899

It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love. - DA 19.2

But after Christ’s crucifixion, Jew and Greek, barbarian and Scythian, bond and free, would be able to understand his work, and to comprehend the words which upon this occasion he addressed to his disciples, “Verily, verily, I say unto you,” he said, “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” Christ saw that the fallow ground of the heart must be broken up, the soil thoroughly worked, the good seed sown and carefully harrowed in. It was not pleasant for the disciples to submit to this. Many opposite influences had been at work confusing and beclouding their minds. But with what wisdom Christ presents his future, illustrating it by the things of nature, that the disciples might understand that the purpose of his mission was to be fulfilled by his death. “Verily, verily, I say unto you,” he said. When Christ said, “Verily, verily,” the disciples always understood that something of importance was to follow, and now, as they listened to his words, they saw divinity revealed in humanity. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” When the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it springs up, and bears fruit. So the death of Christ would result in fruit for the kingdom of God. Life was to be the result of his death, in exact accordance with the law of the vegetable kingdom. - ST July 1, 1897

Every harvest this lesson is repeated. Those who till the soil have the illustration of the Saviour’s words ever before them. Year by year man preserves his grain by apparently throwing away his choicest sample. For a time this must be hidden under the furrow, to be watched over by the Lord. Then appears the blade, then the ear, and then the corn in the ear. But this development can not take place unless the grain is buried out of sight, hidden and, to all appearances, lost. - ST July 1, 1897

The seed buried in the ground produces fruit, and in their turn the seeds of this fruit are planted. Thus the harvest is multiplied. So the death of Christ on the cross of Calvary will bear fruit unto eternal life. The contemplation of this sacrifice will be the glory of those who, as the fruit of it, will live through the eternal ages. - ST July 1, 1897

With this lesson Christ connects the self-sacrifice that all should practise. “He that loveth his life shall lose it,” he declares; “and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.” - ST July 1, 1897

This is the only honor we should seek. And we should seek it with a determination and an earnestness proportionate to the value of the treasure we have in view,—eternal life in the kingdom of God. Christ claims the complete consecration of man to himself. This is the condition upon which man is exalted. As he submits his mind, his body, his soul, to God, so he will be honored. Self-renunciation is the great law of self-preservation, and self-preservation is the law of self-destruction. - ST July 1, 1897

He who lives for self, and devotes his life to self-serving, will lose his life. He may gather much, but he imparts little. All such are as the grain that is eaten. Those who think and plan for self only, who desire everything to minister to their ideas and advance their interests, pursue a course of selfish idolatry. God says of them, “Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone.” Those who love this temporal life so well that they will scheme for themselves, and work upon worldly plans, will find at last that they are bankrupt; for they are without the eternal riches. But those who hate this life, who choose death rather than a life without Christ, win heaven. Those who devote their lives to God’s service, who honor him, and commit the keeping of their souls to him as unto a faithful Creator, will bring forth fruit unto eternal life. The Lord will keep that which is committed to his trust against that day. He will honor the man who serves him with the whole heart. - ST July 1, 1897