Feb 14
15
WHAT THINK YE OF CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED?
Holy Scriptures teach an effectual atonement based upon the fact of Who He was who died to atone. Such a blood shedding could never be in vain in any sense when we consider the infinite value of the person who shed His blood. Paul, to show the value of the atonement, first tells us who He is Who died; “Jesus Christ,” he said; and then, “and him crucified.” Well how much value do we put on Jesus Christ? Better yet, how much value does God the Father put on Him? The Father calls Him a Savior, a great one, a mighty one, and says of Him, “He shall deliver them.” (Is 19:20). The fact that it is Christ’s blood is what makes it effectual. “The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son cleanseth us from all sin.” What else could the blood of such an infinite One do but accomplish the task for which it was shed? “He came to save His people from their sins.” (Matt 1:21). And how was He to accomplish such a great task? By giving His own blood! By pouring it out while hanging on a cross! The blood atoned for sins and cleanses from all sins because it is Christ’s blood. One man said it this way, “the words ‘the blood’ never stand alone; the One Who shed the blood is invariable specified, for it is the Person that gives value to the work; the saving efficacy of the Death depends entirely upon the fact that He Who died was the Son of God.” Let us first and foremost receive the testimony of the Holy Scriptures concerning the infinite and eternal value of the Son of God. Having received that testimony in our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit, then we will never undervalue that atonement which such an infinite person accomplished. I am convinced this is one reason some deny the effectual atonement of Christ; they place little value on Him. Let every man examine his own conscience. Can you, knowing who He is, say to Him with a clear conscience, “you failed?” “You, the Lord of glory, died in vain?” Can you say such a thing without your conscience smiting you” What think ye of Jesus crucified must be answered in the light of what think ye of Jesus Christ himself. —Bruce Crabtree