Yard-master T. J. Wood was dead. His body, terribly mangled, was found on the railroad at Clop-ton, Virginia. Had he thrown himself under a moving train, and thus taken his own life? Was it suicide? Or was it an accident caused by his own carelessness? Or had he been thrown on the tracks to hide the fact that he had been murdered? Everyone had his own opinion on the subject. Some thought one thing and some another.
In due time, however, the true facts of the case were brought to light. The yard-master had deliberately sacrificed his life in order to save the lives of others. He had died the death of a hero.
It happened like this: the "Cannon Ball Express," the limited passenger train of the Norfolk and Western R.R., was approaching the junction. Suddenly Wood realized that a switch leading to a string of empty cars was open. Unless something was done, in a few seconds the "Cannon Ball" would rush into the siding, crash into the empty cars, and there would be a terrible wreck. The yard-master could almost see the around strewn with dead and dying men. Out of his caboose he jumped and threw himself upon the switch. The train was saved, as were its unwitting passengers; but the brave, self-sacrificing hero was struck by the locomotive and killed.
In like manner, various theories are also afloat as to the manner and cause of the death of One infinitely greater than the bravest of earth's heroes. How, and for what reason, did Jesus die?
Unholy speculations have not been wanting as to how He died. Some have attributed His death to mere physical causes. Others, more daring, have asked: Did He really die upon the cross after all, or was it only a simulated death, followed by a reviving which His followers palmed off upon the world as a genuine resurrection?
Others, again agree that He really died. Nevertheless they argue that His death was merely that of a martyr. They claim that He was one among many who have sealed their testimony to the truth with their life's blood.
From all such unholy theories and blasphemous speculations we turn away. The Scriptures of truth shed a full and sufficient light upon the subject. They assure us that Christ died, and that His death was infinitely more than the death of a martyr. He died as a Substitute. His sufferings were those of a Sin-bearer. His blood has an atoning value that no other possesses.
Christ died! He died for us, for the ungodly, for sinners. "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree." 1 Peter 2:2424Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (1 Peter 2:24). Surely this verse, if there were no other, is enough to show that in dying upon the cross the Lord Jesus Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin. Those who believe in Him can say, "He died for me; He bore my sins; His blood has cleansed me and made me whiter than snow." "Without shedding of blood is no remission." Heb. 9:2222And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22).
Friend, what is the death of Christ to you? Have you staked your soul's eternal welfare on the merits of His blood? What other foundation can you find to rest upon? How else can sins be atoned for? "It is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul." Lev, 17:11.
When we announce the fact that Christ died for the ungodly, we have not told the whole story. He who died on Calvary is alive again. He has ascended to heaven, and now sits upon the throne of God as Lord of all. He is there to administer all the wonderful results of His death. All that Christ secured for guilty sinners by His work upon the cross is now offered freely through faith in Him: forgiveness, righteousness, everlasting life, peace with God. All these would have been impossible for us if Jesus had not died. But they are now all to be found in the risen Christ.
Turn to Him in faith. He will make all these blessings yours, and will give you His Holy Spirit, through whom you can enjoy them even now.