22 Jesus Sanctifying Himself
Jesus Sanctifying Himself
Every wise man will fix on an end worthy of himself in all his undertakings; we may trust him for this. Just so, the Lord Jesus had an end in view worthy of himself in all that he did and suffered. Upon that end, his heart was set. Toward that end, every action tended. Having, therefore, prayed for the sanctification of his disciples, and having referred to the mission for which he intended them, he says, "And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth" (John 17:19).
WHAT Jesus Did: He sanctified himself. He separated and set himself apart to he a sacrifice for their sins. He had a right to do this if he desired — for he was an independent being, and had a full and unquestionable right to his own person. He had authority to do this — according to the arrangements of the everlasting covenant, as well as on the ground of his own absolute supremacy. He had power to do so — for he had full control over himself, to do as he pleased, or what seemed good in his sight. He had love enough for his people to do it.
He would therefore break away from the association of angels, leave his Father’s house, and vacate his glorious throne — in order to set himself apart, as was the paschal lamb of old — to be a sacrifice to God for the sins of his people! He devoted himself to endure unparalleled sufferings, even the wrath and curse of God; all that injured justice could inflict upon him, as the penalty of his people’s sins! He undertook to drink and drain the cup which contained the bitter portion deserved by them. He devoted himself to endure all of this with patience, being led as a lamb to the slaughter, and standing as a sheep silent before its shearers. He undertook all of this, not only with patience — but with delight, as he said, "I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." The will of God was our sanctification — our sanctification by the sacrifice of his life for us; and for this he set himself apart with delight. What wondrous, what amazing love!
He qualified himself for his work by taking the body which the Father promised to prepare — by assuming our entire nature, free from all stain of sin, and actually holy. His sanctification, therefore, comprised . . .
the setting himself apart for the work of our redemption,
the devoting of himself to it, and
the qualifying or preparing of himself for it. For WHOM He Sanctified Himself: "For their sakes I sanctify myself." He had reference primarily to his disciples — but not exclusively so, for he included his whole Church, the entire body of God’s elect. Hence the apostle says, "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her — to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless!"
He did it for all who are sanctified by God the Father, in his eternal decree. They are said also to be "sanctified in Christ Jesus," and therefore we read, "By one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified." He did it for the whole family of God, of which he is a part, and which are identified with him; as says Paul,
"In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family." Thus Christ and his people have one nature, and are of one family; for which cause he became the true and proper substitute for them, being both suited and sufficient.
1. the purging or expiating of their sins by his blood, and "by himself he purged our sins;"
2. the separation of them from the world, which is the carrying out of the Father’s "eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus;"
3. the consecration of them to God, to serve him, enjoy him, and glorify him — that they also may be sacrifices to God, not to make an atonement — but to express gratitude and give praise. Paul therefore could say, "I am ready to be offered" — "If I am offered on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all." And he exhorts believers, "by the mercies of God, to present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, as their reasonable service."
Also their sanctification is . . .
IN truth — that is, truly — not typically; spiritually — not ceremonially;
THROUGH the truth — as the rule according to which, and the instrument by which they are purified and set apart for God;
FOR the truth, that is — to receive it, retain it, spread it, defend it, illustrate it, and honor it. By nature we are all unclean, and mixed up with the world. There is no difference between us and the rest; we were following the same course, and were children of wrath, even as others. Our separation and consecration is by blood — the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Holiness is the best thing for us; the very best thing we could possess — better than Heaven, if it were possible to possess Heaven without it. The Lord Jesus had . . .
infinite wisdom to choose for us;
infinite love to dispose him to choose the best thing for us;
infinite merit to procure anything he pleased — and he fixed on holiness! The choice of the highest wisdom,
the gift of the greatest love,
the purchase of the greatest merit
— is holiness, or the sanctification of our persons to God, and the making of our persons like God. The Lord Jesus was both priest and victim, sacrifice and sacrificer. No one else ever was. No one else ever could be. "He offered himself without spot to God." "He offered up himself." Being God and man, divine and human — he could do this, and he did it.
All who are savingly interested in the death of Christ as a substitute, will be sanctified. Holiness makes God beautiful in the eyes of his intelligent creatures — it is the very glory of his nature. Holiness makes saints amiable — and they appear as fair as the moon, and as clear as the sun. Holiness makes believers happy — as it leads to communion with God, and prepares them for Heaven. The more holiness — the more happiness. The more holiness — the more fellowship with God. The more holiness — the more preparation for Heaven. My soul, are you sanctified? Are you set apart for Jesus, and in some measure made like Jesus? If so, seek a deeper work, seek to be more thoroughly imbued with the mind, temper, and disposition of Jesus. Your sanctification may be more thorough,
your consecration to God may be more complete,
your conformity to Jesus may be more perfect.
There is grace in Jesus to be had for seeking. More of the power of the Holy Spirit may be obtained by prayer. Oh, seek for more grace, for more of the power of the Spirit of God; so will . . .
your evidences be brighter,
your prospects clearer,
your faith stronger,
your hope firmer, and
your happiness greater!
Oh, to be a thorough, devoted, decided, energetic, working, useful Christian! Lord, sanctify me wholly, in spirit, soul, and body.
Beloved, are you like-minded with Jesus? Is your heart set on holiness as his heart was? If you drink into his spirit, if you walk in close and intimate communion with him — it will be. The very glory of Heaven is its holiness. The beauty of the Divine nature is its holiness. The perfection of our nature will be its holiness. On holiness, the heart of God was set.
Toward holiness, all the purposes of sovereign grace point. In holiness, will the mystery of redemption terminate. In holiness, will all the perfections of God be glorified. In perfect holiness alone — shall we find perfect happiness.
If, therefore, you would be happy,
if you would rise to honor,
if you would please God,
if you would delight the heart of Jesus —
then make the attainment of holiness your object!
Believe in Jesus for sanctification — as well as for justification. He is a fountain of holiness, and by faith we may receive holiness from him. Only by union to Jesus, by communion with Jesus, and by the exercise of faith on Jesus — can we attain to deep, personal, experimental holiness.
Holy Spirit, you are the sanctifier of the Lord’s people — O sanctify us, through the sanctification of Christ for us. Let all the benefits of his death be imparted to us; and may we be changed into the same image by your almighty power.