In the Outer Court
535
As the voice was heard, a light darted from the cloud, and encircled
Christ, as if the arms of Infinite Power were thrown about Him like a
wall of fire. The people beheld this scene with terror and amazement.
No one dared to speak. With silent lips and bated breath all stood with
eyes fixed upon Jesus. The testimony of the Father having been given,
the cloud lifted, and scattered in the heavens. For the time the visible
communion between the Father and the Son was ended.
“The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it
thundered: others said, An angel spake to Him.” But the inquiring
Greeks saw the cloud, heard the voice, comprehended its meaning,
and discerned Christ indeed; to them He was revealed as the Sent of
God.
The voice of God had been heard at the baptism of Jesus at the
beginning of His ministry, and again at His transfiguration on the
mount. Now at the close of His ministry it was heard for the third
time, by a larger number of persons, and under peculiar circumstances.
Jesus had just spoken the most solemn truth regarding the condition of
the Jews. He had made His last appeal, and pronounced their doom.
Now God again set His seal to the mission of His Son. He recognized
the One whom Israel had rejected. “This voice came not because of
Me,” said Jesus, “but for your sakes.” It was the crowning evidence of
His Messiahship, the signal from the Father that Jesus had spoken the
truth, and was the Son of God.
“Now is the judgment of this world,” Christ continued; “now shall
the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the
earth, will draw all unto Me. This He said, signifying what death He
should die.” This is the crisis of the world. If I become the propitiation
for the sins of men, the world will be lighted up. Satan’s hold upon
the souls of men will be broken. The defaced image of God will
be restored in humanity, and a family of believing saints will finally
inherit the heavenly home. This is the result of Christ’s death. The
Saviour is lost in contemplation of the scene of triumph called up
before Him. He sees the cross, the cruel, ignominious cross, with all
its attending horrors, blazing with glory.
[626]
But the work of human redemption is not all that is accomplished
by the cross. The love of God is manifested to the universe. The prince
of this world is cast out. The accusations which Satan has brought
against God are refuted. The reproach which he has cast upon heaven