Few things that men might undertake would so falsify the true spirit of Jesus as their portrayal of Him as an inward looking sort of person who inevitably cast a dark shadow of gloom wherever He went. His cheerfulness and joy were genuine -- not feigned. Independent of circumstances, people or things, it was deeply rooted in the fidelity and unfailing purpose of His Heavenly Father.
    Jesus Christ was, in reality, the happiest person who ever walked on this earth. Loving righteousness, and hating iniquity, He was "anointed with the oil of gladness" ABOVE His fellows, (Heb. 1:9). The true value of this joy should be evident as we behold Him bequeathing it to His disciples as one of the richest blessings He could bestow. "These things have I spoken unto you; and that your JOY might be full", (John 15:11). "... these things I speak in the world, that they might have MY JOY fulfilled in themselves", (John 17:13).
    But Jesus did NOT make a "life-pursuit" after "joy". Joy is not set forth in the Scriptures as a worthwhile life-goal. Paul used a little Greek word for 'substitut-

ion' ("anti", meaning "instead of") in Hebrews 12:2 to suggest that Jesus did not choose to pursue the heavenly joy that was open to Him from all eternity. "Instead of (for) the joy that was set before him (he) endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." The joy that He experienced on earth came as a by-product of His utter abandonment to the Father's will.
    It is easy for men to err in seeking and finding a limited joy in secondary "things". The Master corrected the seventy who "returned with joy, saying Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy word. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding IN THIS REJOICE NOT, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather REJOICE, BECAUSE YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN". In that hour Jesus REJOICED in spirit; and said, I thank thee, 0 Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and

    Pastor Wayne Ruff and the Faith Missionary Baptist Church, of Judsonia, Arkansas, are entertaining a Fellowship Meeting on April 19-20. Since their meeting-place is too small for such an undertaking, they have rented the Community Building located across from the First Baptist Church in Judsonia.
    Having been with this church and pastor in a week's meeting about two years ago, I can assure you of their genuine Christian hospitality and their deep love for the Lord, His Word, His people and lost men.
    The meeting will begin on Thursday night and continue at least through Friday night. This should prove to be a time of blessedness in sharing the good things of the Lord. E.G.

    As we go to press this week we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of brethren Sullivan and Tajima who are to be here for a very brief visit. From here they will fly on toward the West coast -- Bro. Tajima being pressed for time as he must return to Japan by March 22.

    For several centuries after the death of Jesus Christ, there appeared little expression of doubt that He CLAIMED TO BE DIVINE. The writings of His immediate followers reveal that they entertained no such doubts. During the past two centuries, however, a combination of skepticism, philosophy, religious rationalism and liberalism has incessantly challenged the Biblical and Christian concept of Jesus' "Divine Consciousness". The persistence of the attack, the worldly prestige of its advocates, and the rhetorical skill with which its arguments have been prepared and delivered, have combined to deliver a staggering blow to many a professed Christian.
    A careful examination of the accumulated testimony of Jesus to His own identity makes it seem incredible that one could reasonably and intellectually uphold Him as "the greatest man who ever lived -- the ultimate in human morality, truthfulness and humility", and at the same time REJECT HIS VERY DEITY.
    Unique among men, His conception and birth did not mark His origin -- merely His appearance AS A MAN on the stage of time. It would be utterly foolish for others to lay claim to pre-existence in another world, but Jesus did this in explicit and unmistakable terms. Nor is this a mere theory of purely academic interest; upon this foundation rests the whole superstructure of the Christian faith.
    John the Baptist, born 6 months earlier than Jesus, declared plain-

ly, "He was BEFORE ME", (John 1:15). Paul declared Him to be "before all things" and the One through whom "all things consist", (Col. 1:17). He asserted that "in Christ" God was "reconciling the world" unto Himself, (2 Cor. 5:19). In the most classic statement concerning our Lord's pre-existence, Paul wrote to his Philippian brethren -- urging upon them "the mind of Christ" according to him, Jesus voluntarily assumed the place of humiliation -- laying aside His divine prerogatives (not grasping and struggling to keep His position); taking the form of a man-servant, and obediently humbling Himself to suffer the agony of crucifixion; thus; "tasting death for every man" , (Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 2:9). Again Paul saw in Jesus the "mystery of godliness" -- declaring Him to be "God .... manifest in the flesh", (I Tim. 3:16). But he also records the completion of the Divine Mission and His return, in triumph and glory, to the Father's right hand where He now effectively pleads the need of those whose lives are committed to Him in faith, (Col. 3:14-15; Phil. 2:9; Heb. 9:24; 4:14-16; 7:23-28).
    To the apostle John, Jesus Christ was the incarnate "Word" -- very God -- dwelling among men, (Jn. 1:1-3, 14). He agrees with Paul that Jesus is the "Saviour" of men -- "the propitiation for our sins", (I John 2:1-2). And Peter declared this same Jesus to be our "Redeemer" -- "the Christ, the Son of the living God", (I Pet. 1:l8-l9; 3:l8;

prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight .... And He turned him unto his disciples and said, privately, BLESSED are the eyes which see the things that ye see...' (Luke l0:l0-2l, 23).
    To the extent that our lives are ungrudgingly abandoned unto Him we may share the JOY OF CHRIST. If your joy is NOT FULL it may be very helpful to take an honest look at your CONMITTMENT. E.G.

Matt. 16:16; Acts 10:34-43).
    "But", someone asks, "did Jesus Himself ever manifest a consciousness of having existed previous to His conception in the womb of the virgin?" Fortunately, for the Christian religion, there is an abundance of such testimony from His lips. On various occasions Jesus spoke of what He had experienced with the Father in ages past -- even before the world was, (John 17:5, 24). He claimed to have come forth "from the Father" and "into the world"; and declared that He would "leave the world, and go to the Father", (John 16:27-28). The Jews were provoked to anger by His unequivocal claim: "Before Abraham was, I AM", (John 8:56-59); they rightly recognized this as a claim to deity, (Comp. John lO:34-38).
    Jesus claimed that "all authority" had been given to Him --- both in heaven and on earth. He demonstrated that power in the mighty wonders that He performed -- authority over life and death, the physical world and the spiritual world -- authority to forgive, judge and abolish sin. His is an ultimate authority which each of us, individually, must face.
    What one does with the DIVINE and historical Jesus is of eternal importance. What has been YOUR response to His claim upon your life?