Topic(s): Jesus

The One who often wept (John 11:35), yet He dries our tears (Revelation 7:17; 21:4).

The One who was sold for the price of a common slave (Exodus 21:32; Matthew 26:15), yet He redeemed man from his sins (1 Peter 1:18-19).

The One who was led as a lamb to the slaughter (Acts 8:32), yet He is our Good Shepherd (John 10:11).

The One who gave His life (Galatians 2:20), and by His dying made it possible for us to be saved (Mark 16:16). —V.P. Black

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.” —Revelation 5:12

A Most Handsome Man

Topic(s): Forgiveness, Jesus

Abraham Lincoln was admired by many, but he had critics. But even persistent critics, like Pennsylvania’s Thaddeus Stevens, sometimes praised the President’s benevolence.

House Speaker Schuyler Colfax recalled that Stevens “used to tell, with great gusto, this story of his own personal experience. Mr. Stevens had gone with an elderly lady from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (his district) to the White House, to ask the pardon of her son, condemned to die for sleeping on his post. The President suddenly turned upon his cynical Pennsylvania friend, whom he knew had often assailed him for excessive lenity, and said, ‘Now, Thad, what would you do in this case if you happened to be President?’”

Mr. Stevens knew how many hundreds of his constituents were waiting breathlessly to hear the result of that elderly woman’s pilgrimage to Washington. Of course, Congressmen who desired to be re-elected liked to carry out the desires of their constituents. Stevens did not relish the President’s home-thrust, but replied, "That as he knew of the extenuating circumstances, he would certainly pardon him.”

“‘Well, then,’ said Mr. Lincoln, after a moment’s writing in silence, ‘here, madam, is your son’s pardon.’”

“Her gratitude filled her heart to overflowing, as her son had been snatched from the gateway of the grave. She could only thank the President with her tears as she left, but when she and Mr. Stevens had reached the outer door of the White House she burst out, excitedly, ‘I KNEW it was a lie! I KNEW it was a lie!’”

“‘What do you mean?’” asked her astonished companion.

“Why, when I left my country home in old Lancaster yesterday, the neighbors told me that I would find that Mr. Lincoln was an UGLY man, when in fact . . . he is really the most handsome man I have ever seen in my life!’”

And certainly, when sympathy and mercy lightened up those rugged features, many a wife and mother pleading for his intervention had reason to think him handsome indeed.

Interestingly, the Scriptures do not contain an exact description of the physical appearance of Jesus Christ. Perhaps it is a prophecy given some seven hundred years before His birth that provides the closest thing to a portrait: “For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2).

Yet many would describe Jesus as the most handsome Man that has ever lived. Why? Because Jesus died so that we might live! (1 Thessalonians 5:10). —David A. Sargent, Mobile, Alabama