With the dignity of a sublime humility our Master trod his lonely way amid life's tumultuous throng. The grandeur of his words and works, because unheralded by pomp and display, frequently fell upon sensibilities seared and dulled by the blighting touch of sin and sorrow. "He came unto his own and his own received him not." He stretched forth his hands in loving benediction and turned away to lament because they "would not;" but with patient, steadfast intent he adhered to his life purpose to do the will of the Father and to finish the work allotted him by the Father. "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth," said he,—that truth which, even by those in close touch and daily association with him, was so often misapprehended and misconstrued.
The poor human mind, so slow to grasp a hint of the glory of the unseen and spiritual, perceiving the divine beauty of the Master's career, translated the ecstatic vision into something supernatural, and it became a barrier to their comprehension and understanding of his gracious message,—man's divine sonship and oneness with the Father. Does song or story picture a scene more pathetic than that of Jesus journeying with his disciples along the coast of Cæsarea, asking of his companions, "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" Not for the sake of hearing current gossip or the opinion of the rabble who followed him did he ask this, for he knew they followed because they "did eat of the loaves, and were filled;" but with a heart yearning for some evidence that the real import of his teaching was understood, and ignoring the vapid conjectures of the "some say" he said unto them, "But whom say ye that I am?"
Peter's ready confession of his belief in the Master's identity and mission called forth those rare words of approval and benediction: "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven....and upon this rock"— this truth of man's spiritual being, his at-one-ment with the Father—"1 will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
