Christ Jesus came lifting up a standard for the people. Throughout his whole experience on earth as the Son of man this standard was never lowered. "'And I," he said in divine confidence of his great mission and example, "if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
During his Messiahship, he did indeed draw men unto himself. On one occasion so great were the crowds thus drawn that there was no means of reaching him except by uncovering the roof and letting down the sick man who had come to be healed. Sometimes thousands followed him into the desert, forgetful of their own need for food and shelter in their desire to hear him; sometimes they would climb to the top of a mountain, carrying their sick with them, that they might be healed of him.
And even after he was no longer visible to their human vision this did not cease. Onward through the centuries, that which had been lifted up by him, the inspiration, the tenderness, the nobility, the all-satisfying completeness of the Christ-message, remained to draw men to it in wonder and in gratitude. For its sake they were prepared to face untold persecution and martyrdom; they were prepared even to sacrifice their very existence and that of those they most loved. In the truths he taught, in the way he had taken, they knew lay the sure promise of eternal life.
