The historian Xenophon

Observe Him

 

The historian Xenophon states, that when Cyrus had taken captives including a young prince of Armenia with his young and beautiful wife, they were brought before the tribunal of Cyrus to receive their sentence.  The warrior inquired of the prince what he would give to be reinstated in his kingdom.  The prince replied that he valued his crown and his liberty at a very low rate, but that if the noble conqueror would restore his beloved wife to her former dignity and possessions, he would willingly pay his life for the purchase.  The prisoners were dismissed, to enjoy their freedom and former honors; and each was lavish in praises of the conqueror.

 

“And you,” said the prince, addressing his wife, “what did you think of Cyrus?”

 

“I did not observe him,” she replied.

 

“Not observe him!” exclaimed her husband, “upon whom, then, was your attention fixed?”

 

“Upon that dear and generous man,” she replied, “who declared his readiness to purchase my liberty at the expense of his life.” *

 

May I direct your attention to the One who gave His life for you so that you can be saved from your sins and look forward to eternal life in heaven?

 

His name is Jesus.  He is the Son of God.  He is the One that died on the cross for your sins and for mine.  He died for us so that we might live.  He took upon Himself the punishment for our sins so that we can be saved.  Peter reminded some “suffering saints” of what Christ has done for them:  “He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

 

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

 

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:2-3 NIV

 

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace”

-- Helen H. Lemmel

 

Won’t YOU turn your eyes upon Jesus, accept His offer of salvation, and follow Him all the way to heaven?

 

-- David A. Sargent

 

* Source: Practical Bible Illustrations From Yesterday And Today, Richard A. Steele, Jr. and Evelyn Stoner as quoted in www.ministry127.com.  Verified in “History of Iran: Cyropaedia of Xenophon; The Life of Cyrus the Great.  Book 3, Section 1, as quoted in www.iranchamber.com.

 

David A. Sargent, Minister