Four Beholds.

THE word “Behold” occurs in all these four passages; and when God says to men “Behold,” you may depend upon it, it is wise of the hearer to heed what God says. The “Behold” in each of these four scenes is different, but they are all connected with Christ. You say, “What is the difference?”
1. “BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD.”
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” is surely a proclamation of the deepest possible importance for men to hear, because it announces what this Lamb of God has come to do, viz., to take up the question that lies between man’s soul—your soul—and God. And what question is that? Sin. Now you will never be able to settle the question of your sin before God. Men have tried it all along the line for six thousand years, but never yet has any man managed to set himself right with God as regards sin.
Sin is the will of the creature—the outcome of man’s condition of distance from God. It is sin that has sundered man from God. It is sin that keeps you away from God. You may not think very much about it—you will after the day of your death. You may never yet have been troubled about your sins; they have never given you a sleepless night—take care lest they give you a sleepless eternity. They never caused you to shed a tear. Take care lest you are found with a tear in your eye for eternity, and no hand near to dry that tear. Sin is an awful thing. Nothing could remove it but the death of God’s Son. Possibly you have hitherto taken life lightly, and trifled with the grace of the gospel; trifle no more, and if God, in grace, say to you, “Behold the Lamb of God,” you look at Him.
It is of the last importance to understand this scene in John 1. John the Baptist, according to God’s commandment, had preached repentance, and pressed upon men their sins; and they had been so affected by his preaching that multitudes came out, owned they were sinners, went down into the waters of Jordan and were baptized. They did not know how to get forgiveness, for John could not then tell them how to get rid of their sins, though he bade them own them. He knew that there was One coming that could remit sins, but he had not yet seen Him.
One day John saw a Man coming to him—it was God in grace drawing near to him in the person of Jesus—and the moment John saw Jesus, the Spirit of God led him to indicate who He was, and he said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” There was the One who could touch the sin-question. He who can touch the sin-question and settle it according to God, can be none other than the Son of God. Hence the Baptist adds, “I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” If yeti have doubts in your mind as to who and what He was, you have another question to settle, viz., the “Son-question.”
The Jews said before Pilate, “By our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God” (John 19:77The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. (John 19:7)). He was the Son of God. He did not make Himself anything, He was God’s Son, and as such He was owned by the Father at His baptism—at the moment when John cried, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John was commissioned of God to announce the mission of that blessed One, who was the Son of God and the Lamb of God. Now, how does Christ take away the sin of the world? He has not done it yet, because the world is full of sin. He has taken away the sins of His people—of those who, through grace, have been brought to recognize who He is, as well as what He has done. He is the Son of God. You have your doubts on that point? You will find out before long who He is. It will be then a little bit too late for you to get the “sin-question” settled; but be sure of this, you will have the “Son-question” absolutely settled one day. Get right as to the “Son-question,” and you will soon be at ease as to the “sin-question,” and learn that He has blotted all yours out.
There are two ways in which Christ takes away sin. By His death He puts away sin, for it is written: “But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared, to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Heb. 9:26-2826For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:26‑28)). He was the only One who could come into the scene, and play the part of Mediator between God and man. But He does not settle the “sin-question” only by the cross. The sins of His people He puts away by bearing the judgment due to them on the cross. As the Judge by-and-by He will judge the unbeliever in his sins, and the lake of fire be the issue. There is coming a day when men, who have declined the blessing of grace, must accept the judgment that they might have been delivered from.
In the scene at Jordan we are bidden to look at Christ as the One who can meet our case, and settle the “sin-question” now. John says, “This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred bore me: for he was before me.” He perceives the divine glory of His person: “And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:30-3430This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. 32And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (John 1:30‑34)). He was the blessed Son of God and the Lamb of God. John baptized Jesus: but Jesus saved John. Has He saved you?
John must have had his eyes opened to see who Jesus was—the One who could baptize with the Holy Ghost, that is, confer blessing, as in the case of Cornelius. But He is going to baptize in a day to come with fire, that is, judgment. You must either be justified by Jesus, or judged by Jesus; cleansed by Jesus, or condemned by Jesus. You must, at some time or other, have to do with Him. He dies for sinners, and then, having gone on high, He baptizes with the Holy Ghost, that secures blessing. It is of the last importance that you should be dear as to the “Son-question.” Is He God’s Son, or is He not? The Lord said to the Scribes, “How say they that Christ is David’s son? And David himself saith in the Book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?” (Luke 20:41- 4441And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son? 42And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 43Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 44David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son? (Luke 20:41‑44)). They did not know how to decipher such an enigma, but now it has all come out—He was as man, David’s son, and from all eternity, God’s Son. Get rid of Him, and you have no Saviour. You can make light of Him, and put Him from you, but it will be to your eternal loss. You have now a wonderful chalice of salvation, do not miss it, like Pilate.
“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!” It is not here the “behold” of testimony, but the “behold” of a loving heart. “And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.” They said, Goodbye, John, we are going to follow Jesus. You turn your eye on God’s Son, become man that He might take up this wonderful character as the Lamb of God, who alone could settle the question of sin. The presentation of the Person of Christ is that which wins hearts to Christ. The ministry that takes men off the preacher on to Christ, is the right kind of ministry, and if it does not effect this, it is bad ministry. John’s ministry detached men from himself, and attached Them to Christ. Have you thus got to Jesus yet? If not let me urge you to lose no time. He is now set down at God’s right hand, but the question of where He is makes no difference to what He is—He is the same Jesus. John saw Him on the banks of Jordan; I see Him on the throne of God. You bow to Christ; God’s Spirit will tell you what Jesus is.
2. “BEHOLD THE MAN.”
Now let us go from Jordan to Pilate’s hall. It is a very different scene. At Jordan it was the beginning of the Lord’s ministry; this is the end of His history, when He is going to offer Himself up as the Lamb of God. “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.” See that cruel lash fall upon the back of the Son of God, who, if He had spoken the word, could have destroyed all His haters and murderers. Man then crowned Him with thorns: God has now crowned Him with glory. What would you put upon His head? “They put on him a purple robe, and said, Hail, King of the Jews, and they smote him with their hands. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the Man.” One day Pilate will be led by the mighty hand of God, to stand before that once thorn-crowned Man to hear very solemn words from His lips. All is going to be reversed by-and-by. But Pilate then said, “I find no fault in Him.” Then why did he not clear Him? Pilate was afraid of the world, and that is what you are afraid of—afraid of what your friends will think and say. The Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God.” Pilate said, “Behold the Man”— the Man of grace, of love, of sympathy, of holiness, of righteousness; Man after God’s own heart. Never was there a man like Him. He is a Man I can trust, a Man I can love, because He has loved me, even unto death.
“Behold the Man!” Pilate had a wonderful chance that night to come out on the Lord’s side, but he missed it. And you have had many an opportunity of coming to and coming out for Christ, but you have missed them all. The world has come in, and some human influence has held you back. What would Pilate give for your chance today, for your opportunity of receiving Christ, and confessing Him. He might come out and say, “Behold the Man,” but it was the “Behold” of indifference, of unbelief, of worldly wisdom; not the “Behold” of affection, or love, or confidence. What will you do with Him, Pilate? I will sign His death-warrant, lest I should lose the favor of Cæsar. And he signed at the same moment Christ’s death-warrant and the warrant of his own eternal damnation. True, he “took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it,” but that will not deliver his guilty soul. You will never wash your hands of Christ, but He could wash your soul of all your many sins. You cannot wash your hands of Christ, because you must yet meet Him. Better trust Him and have a Saviour. To you I would say, “Behold the Man,” and beholding Him, trust Him simply.
3. “BEHOLD, YE DESPISERS, AND... PERISH.”
In Acts 13 there is a solemn “Behold.” Paul is preaching to a company he never preached to before. He is telling the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus to the men of Antioch. He is beginning his big missionary tour. He has not reached Europe yet. At this point he is still in Asia. He has gone out to people who have never heard of this blessed Saviour, and he lets them know the lovely tidings, as he says, “But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption” (vs. 37). Christ is a risen Saviour now. Everything is in resurrection, and in connection with the Person of God’s blessed Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Note the proclamation— “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins” (vs. 38).
God might have drawn the sword of retributive righteousness from the scabbard, and smitten His foes, but He let it stop in the scabbard. When men had slain Jesus, put Him in the tomb, and sealed it, God took Him out, sent an angel down to roll away the stone, and then took Him up into glory. Then after ten days the Holy Ghost came down, and proclaimed the gospel of God’s salvation. He filled vessel after vessel with joyful tidings, first Peter, and then Paul, a man who had been a bitter opponent. That is what God loves to do; He picks up His enemies, pardons, blesses, saves, and makes friends of them. He picks up the devil’s slaves, turns them inside out, and makes them the most blessed servants of Christ. What a wonderful thing to belong to a risen Saviour. There is in Him forgiveness of sins for you, justification—the clearing away of all that has been a burden to you, and then the setting you down before God in righteousness.
“And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (vs. 39). You are not merely forgiven, but justified. Why does God justify you? Because you believe in His Son, who died for your sins, and has been raised again, because God has been glorified about the very question of your sins, “He was delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 4:25,25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. (Romans 4:25) vs. 1). I have no doubt Paul saw some of his self-righteous hearers knitting their brows at these glorious tidings, and he says, “Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish.” There are today, as then, two classes, believers and despisers. A man first neglects, then rejects, then despises, and at length finally perishes.
It is a very solemn “Behold” that. In the first two we are told to look at Christ; this third says—You had better look at yourself, at your own future, “For I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.” What work is that? The work of the gospel, by which the person at your side gets saved, and you not. Heed the Word of God today. You have the Word of God now, you may not have it tomorrow. It may be all too late tomorrow, and why? The Lord is coming.
4. “BEHOLD, HE COMETH WITH CLOUDS.”
There is another kind of “Behold.” “Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him” (Rev. 1:77Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)). Forget not that— “every eye shall see him.” You cannot escape that. You may escape the gospel, escape forgiveness of sins, justification, and God’s salvation—you may escape all these, hug the world, and cleave to the world, but mark you this— “every eye shall see him.” The One who was crowned with thorns, and whom you have heard proclaimed as the Lamb of God—the One who has been out of sight for nearly two thousand years, He is coming. When? It may be tonight.
There is in heaven now a seated Saviour; another hour and He may have risen up, and the knell of doom have sounded in your ears. That occurs “when once the Master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are” (Luke 13:2525When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: (Luke 13:25)).
An open door and a seated Saviour go together; and a risen up Saviour and a closed door go together. Do you understand? I hope so; if you do you will say, I will get in at the open door by faith before He rises up to shut it. That would be the path of wisdom and of faith.
“Every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him.” You say, they were very wicked. What do you think of yourself for refusing Him? They were awful people that clamored for His blood: what do you think of yourself for trampling that blood under your feet—the blood that might have cleansed, saved, and redeemed you? If they were bad, a dozen times worse is the soul today that refuses and rejects Jesus. They never heard the gospel—you have. “And all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him” (vs. 7). Do you know what the effect of seeing Christ now is? The heart gets touched and attracted, and there is not a “wail,” but worship. But by-and-by there will come a wail —a wail of sorrow. That wail will spring from the lips of many a man that discovers when too late, that he has lost his opportunity, grid missed Christ.
You are going to stand face to face with Jesus yet. “Behold, he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him.” How near? So near that the lineaments of His face will be stamped upon your memory forever. You are going to stand before Him, and there will be no advocate then, no mercy. Oh, careless slighter of Christ, beware lest you too late see that you have despised grace, and put yourself without the reach of Christ. As you then leave His presence to pass to your eternal doom, the very last thing that will be impressed on your memory will be, I have seen Jesus. He who has so often said, “Come unto me, and I will give you rest,” will then say, “Depart from me; I know you not.”
You had better just now make up your mind for Christ. Say, from this hour, “Christ for me.”
W. T. P. W.