but there are enough cases of noble surrender of self for a friend or for the public to make it easy for any one to understand how Christ could take upon Himself the sins of the world and become man’s intercessor with the Father.  Winning hearts through love expressed in sacrifice, is that strange?  On the contrary, it is the only way.  It is because the story of Jesus is a natural one that it has touched mankind.  Hearts understand each other.  The heart, says Pascal, has reasons that the mind does not understand because the heart is of an infinitely higher character.

The sacrificial character of Christ’s death and the atoning power of His blood are the basis of the New Testament.  To discard this doctrine is to reject the plainest teachings of the Apostles and the words of Christ Himself.

Peter, than whom there is no higher human authority, says (1 Peter 2:24):  “Who 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.”

John, the Beloved, speaks as clearly on this subject (John 3:16-17):  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”  Paul was equally emphatic; he says (1 Cor. 2:2):  “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and him crucified.”  And again (1 Cor. 1:30):  “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption.”

But we have higher authority still—­we have the words of Christ Himself.  At the last supper, with His disciples about Him, He spoke of His blood being “shed for many for the remission of sins.”

It is the story of His sacrifice for others—­of His blood shed that the world might through Him find forgiveness—­that has been understood by the unlettered as well as by scholars and has brought millions to the foot of the cross.  Even those who have not been in position to compare His code of morals with the teachings of others have been able to comprehend a plan of salvation by which one died for all and all find forgiveness in His sacrifice.  It is this Gospel that has made it possible for the forgiven sinner to go forth to begin a new life, no longer under conviction of sin and remembering his past only as an incentive to service.

The presence of Judas at the Last Supper has been the cause of much speculation throughout the centuries.  The indignation of Christians is stirred at the thought of a traitor being present on this solemn occasion when Christ instituted one of the great sacraments of the Church.  The Saviour not only knew what Judas was about to do but called attention to it and designated the guilty one, but there was no appearance of the anger which would be natural in a mortal; He knew the plan of salvation.