Their Saviour had been rejected and condemned, and nailed to the ignominious cross. The Jewish priests and rulers had declared, in scorn, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” But that cross, that instrument of shame and torture, brought hope and salvation to the world. The believers rallied; their hopelessness and conscious helplessness had left them. They were transformed in character, and united in the bonds of Christian love. Although without wealth, though counted by the world as mere ignorant fishermen, they were made, by the Holy Spirit, witnesses for Christ. Without earthly honor or recognition, they were the heroes of faith. From their lips came words of divine eloquence and power that shook the world. {TM 67.1}

Deres Frelser har været forkastet og fordømt, og naglet til det vanærene kors. De jødiske præster og myndigheder har erklæret, i foragt, »Andre har han frelst, sig selv kan han ikke frelse. Han er jo Israels konge! Lad ham nu stige ned af korset, så vil vi tro på ham.« Men dette kors, dette skammens og torturens instrument, bragte håb og frelse til verden. De troende samles; deres håbløshed og bevidste hjælpeløshed har løftet dem. De er omformet i karakter, og forenede i Kristi kærligheds bånd. Helt igennem uden rigdom, ved at verden regner dem for slet og ret uvidende fiskere, er de, ved Helligånden, gjort til vidner for Kristus. Uden jordisk ære eller anerkendelse, er de troens helte. Fra deres læber kommer der ord af guddommelig veltalenhed og kraft der rystede verden.