Oct 11
15
The Mystery of the Cross
Why was it a necessity for the LORD to lay on Christ the iniquity of His people before bruising Him? All our hope, brethren, is that the judge of all the earth shall do right! The whole purpose for which the Lord Jesus laid down His life was to declare the righteousness of God. But if iniquity itself had not been laid upon Christ, it had been injustice for the Lord to have bruised him. The mystery of the cross is not that God punished one who was innocent, though Christ knew no sin of himself.
The mystery of the cross is that the Just One willingly submitted himself to the LORD who took the iniquity off his children and laid it upon Christ making him sin so that God was just to pour out wrath upon Christ (I Pet. 2:24; Is. 53:6, 11-12; 2 Cor. 5:21). Then in perfect harmony with holy justice “he was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities.” This amazing faithful act of God’s Servant was both the complete active fulfillment of the law (and the fulfillment of the penalty of the law for the elect of God. Those born of the Spirit of Christ are made partakers of the divine nature so that we believe on Christ in whom we have established the law and by the constraint of his love for us by which Christ has made us complete in him we walk with him daily. Clay Curtis.
The Offense of the Cross
“And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the offence of the cross ceased.” Galatians 5:11
The preaching of the cross of Jesus Christ is offensive to the natural man. We that believe look at the cross and we see grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, and hope; but this world sees a “stumbling stone and a rock of offence.” I want to look at this by asking one question:
What is the offence of the cross of Christ?
First, it offends the wisdom of men. This world and its religion believe that man can by wisdom know God. That by sincere and heart felt study, man can know His creator in such a way as to bring him to heaven. They think the preaching of the cross is foolishness and that they by wisdom understand that there are better ways to save sinners. But the preaching of the cross tells us that this message, and means, was ordained of God for the salvation of His People apart from the wisdom of this world. (1Cor 1: 17-31)
Second, it is offensive to man’s ability. This world believes that all men have a “free will” in this matter of salvation. That man is the sovereign of his destiny, and he will come to Christ if all the right circumstances exist. But the preaching of the cross of Christ, tells us that no man can come to Christ unless the Father draw him. (John 6:44) This is because all men are born dead in trespasses and sins, which make men both unable and unwilling to come to God by Jesus Christ. The only hope for sinners is that God the Holy Spirit quickens their dead souls to life and faith in Christ. This too is offensive to the natural man.
Third, it offends the merit of men. All men by nature believe that they can by their will, works, and self, by righteousness, merit the favor of God. But the Psalmist asks, “Who shall ascend to the hill of the LORD . . .? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart…” (Ps. 24: 2-3). But the gospel of the cross teaches us that “there is none righteous, no not one.” (Rom.3:11-20) The gospel teaches that the only way for man to approach unto God, is to have the “righteousness of God which is by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ to all them that believe.” (Rom 3:21-22) This is offensive to the natural man.
Therefore, how foolish is it for men to oppose the only hope for their salvation. It is like a drowning man despising the rope that is his only life line. Though Satan, devils, and all men oppose this gospel, it shall prevail to save all of God’s elect. It will save all those who believe on Jesus Christ, and see His cross as their only glory. (Gal 6:14) Believers let us not ever be ashamed of this gospel, but rather proclaim it to all and mind not their offense of it.
Don Fortner.
“The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need!” Psalm 23:1
The shepherd is a favorite Scriptural picture of the divine love and care. In the Old Testament, the twenty-third Psalm gathers the whole wonderful truth in exquisite lines, which are dear to young and old wherever the Bible is known. Then in the New Testament, when our Lord would give His friends the sweetest revealings of His heart toward them, and tell them what they are to Him, and what He would be to them—He says, “I am the Good Shepherd.”
The Hebrew shepherd lives with his sheep. If they are out in the storm—he is with them. If they are exposed to danger—so is he. Just so, Christ lives with His people. He enters into closest relations with them.
The shepherd knows his sheep. He has a name for each one and calls them all by their names. Just so, Christ knows each one of His friends, has intimate personal knowledge of each one. He knows the best in us—and also the worst—our faults, our sins, our wanderings. Yet, knowing us as we are—He loves us still and never wearies of us!
The shepherd is most gentle with his sheep. He does not drive them—but goes before them and leads them. When they need rest on the way—he makes them lie down, and chooses for their resting-place, not the dusty road—but green pastures. He is especially kind to the lambs, gathers them in his arms and carries them in his bosom. All this is an exquisite picture of the gentleness of our Good Shepherd in His care of His sheep. He is thoughtful toward the weak. He loves the lambs and makes room for them on His bosom. Whatever the need is, there is something in the heart of Christ which meets its craving and supplies its lack!
The shepherd defends his flock in all danger. Often he had to risk his own safety, even his life, in protecting his sheep. Just so, the Good Shepherd gives His life—for His sheep!
Christ’s sheep are absolutely safe in His keeping. “I give unto them eternal life,” He said; “and they will never perish—ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand!” Then at last, He will bring His own all safely home, “and they shall become one flock—with one Shepherd!” J.R. Miller, 1905.
Can this be-for a vile wretch like me? (James Smith’s autobiography, “Marvelous Mercy!” 1862)
“By the grace of God I am what I am!” 1 Corinthians 15:10
Lord, You have said, “I will cast all your sins into the depths of the sea!” They shall be carried into a land of everlasting forgetfulness. And to confirm all, You have added, “I will never leave you nor forsake you!” Is this, can this be — for such a vile wretch like me? O wondrous mercy! O boundless sovereign, everlasting, unchangeable, love! Yes, it suits me, because it is all of grace, free grace, from first to last — without works, and without boasting.
O how shall I sufficiently admire, bless, praise, and adore the grace “that buries all my sins” and rejoice in that glorious righteousness in which I stand perfect before a holy God! I feel ready to cry out, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, for He has clothed vile, polluted, Hell-deserving me — with the garments of salvation! He has covered me with the robe of righteousness!”
Why is this? O Lord, why is this — that I am made to hear your pardoning voice — while thousands are left to perish in their sins, who are much better than I am? It is even so, Father — for so it seems good in Your sight.
O wondrous depth of sovereign grace, without either a shore or a bottom! Lord, lead me into it, and there let me bathe to all eternity! May I know the wondrous love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge! I now feel as if I was lost in an endless subject — the astonishing love of Christ — the sovereign, boundless, bottomless, free, and eternal love of Christ! O how wonderful that such a poor, vile, wretched, nothing creature, as I am — should be interested in it! Surely none but Jesus could, and none but Jesus would — so love one so vile as me; but He has done it!
What shall I render unto the Lord, my covenant God — for His boundless mercy to such a guilty, Hell-deserving, sinner as I am? O Lord, may I gaze, admire, and adore!
The kingship of Christ
(J. C. Philpot, “Meditations on the Blessed Redeemer”)
“King of kings and Lord of lords!” Revelation 19:16
The kingship of Christ is full of sweet consolation to
the tried family of God. As Zion’s enthroned King, He
supplies His people out of His own inexhaustible fullness!
To Him, as our enthroned King, we give the allegiance
of our hearts. Before His feet, as our rightful Sovereign,
we humbly lie. And we beg of Him, as possessed of all
power, to subdue our iniquities and rebellious lusts, and
sway His peaceful scepter over every faculty of our soul.
The kingship of Christ is a blessed subject of meditation,
when we consider its bearing upon our helpless, defenseless
condition. We stand surrounded by foes . . .
internal,
external,
infernal,
all armed against us with deadly enmity!
Every child of God is surrounded by a multitude of enemies
without and within, who, unless they are overcome–will
most certainly overcome him. And to be overcome is to be
lost, forever lost, and to perish under the wrath of God!
What hope or help can we have, but in . . .
that all-seeing eye, which sees our condition;
that all-sympathizing heart, which feels for us;
that all-powerful hand, which delivers the objects of
His love from all the snares and traps–and defeats all
the plans and projects of these mighty, implacable foes?
We daily and hourly feel the workings of our . . .
mighty sins,
raging lusts,
powerful temptations,
besetting evils,
against the least and feeblest of which, we have no strength!
But as the eye of faith views our enthroned King,
we are led by the power of His grace to . . .
look unto Him,
hang upon Him, and
seek help from Him.
Trials in providence,
afflictions in the family,
sickness and infirmities in the body,
opposition and persecution from the world,
a vile, unbelieving heart, which we can neither sanctify nor subdue,
a rough and rugged path, increasing in difficulty as we journey onward,
doubts, fears, and misgivings in our own bosom,
inward slips and falls,
wanderings,
startings aside,
hourly backslidings from the strait and narrow path,
jealous enemies ever watching for our halting,
with no eye to pity, nor arm to help–but the Lord’s!
How all these foes and fears make us feel our need
of an enthroned King, Head and Husband . . .
whose tender heart is soft to pity,
whose mighty arm is strong to relieve!
We should be ever looking up to our enthroned King,
not only that He might sway His scepter over our hearts,
controlling our rebellious wills, and subduing us to His
gentle might; but as King over all our enemies–of which
our internal foes are much more numerous and mighty
than any external enemies!
When we feel the power of sin, the tyranny of our vile
lusts and passions, and what our nature is capable of
if left to its own will and way–how sweet and suitable
is the promise, “You will again have compassion on us;
You will subdue our iniquities and hurl all our sins into
the depths of the sea!” Micah 7:19
“We are powerless against this mighty army that is
attacking us! We do not know what to do, but we
are looking to You for help.” 2 Chronicles 20:12
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save!”
Zephaniah 3:17
The sacrifice of Himself!
(Ruth Bryan, “The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ!”)
“But now He has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, to remove sin by the sacrifice of Himself!” Hebrews 9:26
These rich words still amaze me.
That word “sin” feels weighty to a sensible sinner.
But oh! that word “Himself!” seems a million times more weighty!
“Himself!” the mighty God, the precious Man Christ Jesus!
“Himself!” by whom all things were created, and for whom they exist!
“Himself!” whose smile is heaven, whose frown is hell!
“Himself!” whom all angels worship, and all devils obey!
“Himself!” the sacrifice!
Another such sacrifice could not be found! Sins as deep as hell and as high as heaven cannot overmatch it — for it is infinite! Sins of scarlet and crimson dye cannot resist its power — for it makes them whiter than snow!
See as much as you can of the vileness of self, and the demerit of sin — yet “Himself” a bleeding sacrifice, exceeds it all! Here is the sweet-smelling savor, both to the Lawgiver and the lawbreaker. The Lawgiver is honored — the lawbreaker is saved!
See how He stands most lovingly, as with open arms, saying to every laboring, weary, heavy-laden sinner, “Come! Come unto Me, and I will give you rest! I still receive sinners, to the uttermost I save them, and never am weary of healing their backslidings, forgiving all their iniquities, and multiplying pardons — as they multiply transgressions against Me. I blot all out with My blood, and love them freely and forever!”
Sinner, will not this suffice? It will, if the Spirit applies it — and opens in a little measure, Himself and His sacrifice — in contrast to yourself and your sins. It will take eternity to know it fully; but that your heart may find rest and refreshing in it now, is my affectionate prayer.
“But now He has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, to remove sin by the sacrifice of Himself!“