TEXT: ISAIAH 53:12
''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.''
Until mercy takes off the Devil's goggles from the eyes of a man, and replaces it with the lenses of faith in Christ, he would see no beauty in Christ, as to ground his desiring of Him, 'The Desire of ages'. Christ and all that He represents, stand on a heap of sticking dunghill to the men of this world: to some, He is a rock of offense; and to others, a great folly and arrant nonsense: the world cannot stand the idea of a criminal taking away guilt and satisfying all the demands of the law. Christ doctrines cross the philosophies and maxims of Nations: He advocates love for enemies; prayers for persecutors; blessing for curses; forgiveness in the room of vengeance; and death to oneself: for these and many more, lovers of this lower sphere, see no attraction in Him. When one was caught and charged with adultery, and all would have her stoned in keeping with the then extant law, all approached her with stones--to be cast on her; but Christ approached her with healing in His hand and tongue, saying, 'Go and sin no more!' Until faith in Christ finds it way into our hearts, in bondage to things and rules we would remain: but let entrance be granted faith in Him, instantly, our chains and fetter will give ways. There is beauty in Christ, that only faith can see and own! When faith shall see Christ, it shall cry out, 'You are fairer than the sons of men; graciousness is poured upon Your lips; yes, You are the handsomest of men; every word from your lips is sheer grace!' Man, all the beauties on this side of heaven, are but a drop from Christ endless abyss of beauty and sweetness; yes, a spark from His seraphic flame of handsomeness! Thou art under a great and great curse, that needs to be abundantly cursed, if thou see no beauty in Christ to desire of Him. Which condemned prisoner would not see beauty and hope alive in his writ of pardon and the stay of his execution? If there be light and hope alive in a writ of stay of speedy execution and a writ of pardon, then, much more beauty is in Christ, whose crucifixion serves as our pardon and stay of our speedy execution? Friends, draw near Him, and you will discover that his ozone-drenched garment is fragrant with mountain breeze. Chamber music””from His throne room, would make you want to dance. Christ is beautiful, let naught convince you otherwise!