05.14. The Best Cheer!
The Best Cheer!
"Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven!" Matthew 9:2
There is something that sounds strange in these words when we remember the circumstances under which they were spoken. A palsied man is brought by his friends to Christ for healing. A crowd around the Savior prevent their coming to Him, but if one way is closed, they will seek another. So they carry the man up on the house-top, and then, after removing the slight awning over the inner court where Jesus was preaching, let him down in the midst. Then Jesus beholding their faith, beholding their perseverance and determination to bring the sick man near to Him, uttered this word of kindly greeting , "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven!"
They are surely not words we would have looked for; they seem at first sight unsuitable to the occasion. What would we think, if in taking to an eminent physician, of one whom we dearly loved and about whose health we were very anxious, he were to pass by the subject on which we sought his aid, and were to give words of spiritual counsel? Doubtless most people would feel as many did at Capernaum, when Jesus thus addressed the palsied man. But after all it was the right word. Those who stood around could see only the paralyzed frame. Jesus looked deeper and beheld a conscience wounded by sin. Affliction had been doing its work. It had led the man to reflection, to remembrance of former evil, to repentance and a desire for pardoning mercy. And Jesus knew it — He knew what was in man. Very often, as in this case, did He answer the thoughts of the heart — rather than any words that fell from the lips. He knew that to this penitent, no gift would appear so desirable as the forgiveness which He so freely granted.
Reader will you learn hence, one great purpose that God has in sending affliction, either now or at any other time, to darken your home. It is to awaken your conscience to a vivid apprehension of sin. It is to unlock the storehouse of memory, that you may set before your eyes ways and words and deeds that may almost have passed from your recollection. It is to remind you that there is a peril connected with sin, that the law demands its punishment, that surely there is a judgment yet to come, most severe and terrible to those not sheltered in the riven side of the Redeemer. At such seasons God would have you humble yourself under His mighty hand; yes, even though you may long have known His love. He would have you make use of your time of retirement to inquire diligently as to your soul’s welfare, remembering your latter end, and that the night quickly comes, when no man can work.
Such lessons as these, through the grace of the Spirit, have often been learned in the day of affliction. The widow of Zarephath, so happy for a while in the presence of Elijah and the marvelous provision given her from day to day, is bereaved of her only child. The loss is unspeakably great, but she hears the voice of Him who appoints it. The iniquity of former days, perhaps someone sin in particular, is brought home to her. She says to Elijah, "What have I to do with you, O man of God? Are you come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?" A young woman in Kent for many a long month, wasted away under a disease that at length wrought her death. Very patiently did she bear her cross, and very thankfully did she receive the instruction that was given to her. From her sick bed, arose the first true prayer that ever she had offered. She was reading Psalms 25:1-22; when she reached the 18th verse, she could read no more. It seemed to her to be all she needed. Again and again did she lift up her heart in the petition which the Psalmist breathed, "Look upon my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins." It was the dawn of her spiritual life, the first beam of that light which shines more and more unto the perfect day. From these words of Christ, we learn that He delights exceedingly to forgive men their sins. It is sometimes imagined that after long waiting, after many prayers and many tears — He may be moved to bestow mercy on the sinner. The very reverse of this is the truth. It is He who waits long, with many entreaties knocking at the door, beseeching men to accept His salvation. In His tender love, He ever rejoices to bestow that fruit of His work which they are so unwilling to receive. As an evidence of this, we need not go beyond this narrative. Before a word is uttered, before a prayer is offered, or a confession of sin made — the Lord, who knew his heart, grants the man a frank, immediate, unconditional forgiveness. The Lord knew that which he longed for. He recognized the faith which he had in common with those who brought him, and crowned it with a promise that must have filled his soul with gladness.
If any reader is in a like frame of mind, it is most needful for you to remember the readiness of Christ to forgive sin.
There are two ways in which sin may be regarded — as a breach of law, and as a perilous and deadly disease. It is a breach of the Divine law — and as such needs pardon. It is a disease, a leprosy that cleaves to the nature of a man — and as such needs a sovereign remedy by which it may be overcome and rooted out. And Jesus undertakes to provide both for those who turn to Him, and in faith commit their case into His hands. But mark the order: first He forgives — then He purifies and cleanses the soul. First He justifies the ungodly — then He sanctifies them, and makes them fit for the inheritance of the saints in light. Laden with the guilt of a life-time, sins known to the world, or sins secret to all but God — bend low before the cross of Christ, acknowledging your iniquity, and believe, yes believe assuredly, that from His meditorial throne Jesus does at once pardon all, and make it, as regards the punishment due to it, as though it had never been. But be not deceived. Where this is the case — your sin will be loathed, hated, and forsaken. He who has pardoned you will so instruct you by His Spirit — that you shall renounce the evil and follow the good; hungering and thirsting after righteousness, until you shall stand perfect in His own image before the throne. In the case of the paralytic, Jesus gave a proof that His word of forgiving mercy was a reality. By that which they could see, might the men of Capernaum be led to believe in that which they could not see. That they might know that the Son of Man had power on earth to forgive sins — he bids the palsied man arise and walk. So before them all, he took up his bed and went forth — a plain witness to the might and authority of Him who had healed him. In like manner does Jesus now give men evidence of the reality of His forgiveness. He bids the forgiven arise and walk with God, and ever gives them strength so to do. From old habits of evil, from a paralysis of deadly indifference — does He deliver and save. So that by a newness of life, by a walking in holiness and love — do they manifest the grace which Jesus has bestowed.
Reader, I beseech you honor Christ by laying aside all pre-conceived ideas, and entering readily into the way which He has chosen for bringing you out into the full enjoyment of His great salvation. Accept forgiveness as the blessing of His free love. Accept it at the very beginning of your Christian course.
I have known a Christian lady who for years was in bondage, because she regarded forgiveness as the goal rather than as the starting place of the Christian life. She wished to be holy — that she might be forgiven; instead of seeking forgiveness — that she might be made holy. Do not fall into the same error.
Whatever lack there be in your repentance, your love, your obedience, bring it to Christ’s footstool — confessing its guilt, and be assured that He will at once forgive. Then take the joy of forgiveness, to aid you in your conflict with evil. Arise from all sloth, self-indulgence, and the like — and walk closely and humbly with your God. Be harmless and blameless as a child of God in the midst of a perverse and crooked generation. Tamper not with the least evil, for it will grieve the Spirit, and bring a cloud between God and your soul. Perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. Be zealous to excel in every Christian grace and virtue. Let no reproach be cast upon the name of Christ through your inconsistency. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven."
There is yet another lesson which we may gather from the words of Christ. The forgiven man has ever ground for rejoicing. Look at this paralytic. While as yet unable to walk a single step, while still lying helpless on his couch, Jesus bids him rejoice, for his sin is blotted out. "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven!" And it must be so. Whoever is forgiven of God, has received a gift that is the pledge and foretaste of the greatest bliss which man can know!
"Blessed is the man whose iniquity is forgiven, and whose sin is covered."
"Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him."
Whatever your present lot is, whatever tribulations await you in the future, if your sin is forgiven, why should you not evermore rejoice and be glad?
Look upward, and you may rejoice that you have there . . .
a Father who loves you,
a Savior who pleads for you,
angels to watch over you, and
a mansion being prepared for you!
Look downward, and as you think of the grave where you are hastening, rejoice that the sting of death is gone; that the grave shall be a quiet resting place for the body until the morning of the resurrection.
Look around you, and as you reflect on the changes of this passing scene, rejoice that all things shall work together for your good; that whatever of earthly comforts you may have to part with, God will by and by give you much more than these; that whenever you bid farewell to the companions of your pilgrimage, you may yet look forward to a blessed reunion, for all who are one with you in Christ here, shall be one with you in glory hereafter.
Look backward, and can you not trace divine forbearance and loving kindness following your every step?
Look forward, and be assured that your best Friend will never leave you nor forsake you, and that in the ages to come you shall experience ever more and more of His everlasting mercy. But if you know nothing of forgiveness through the blood of Christ — then what right have you to rejoice? Rejoice — and still unpardoned? Rejoice — and the wrath of God abiding on you every moment? Rejoice — and death swiftly pursuing you, and the Son of God soon to appear as your Judge, and you know not how it may be with you! Rejoice, and the sentence of eternal damnation recorded against you! Who ever heard of feasting and merry-making in the condemned cell on the eve of an execution? And what have you, my brother or sister who are still in your sins — what have you to do with joy, since every breath you draw and every pulse that beats, you approach nearer to a terrible damnation. And before another day shall dawn, you know not but the great bell may toll that makes angels mourn — which tells of another soul hopelessly, irretrievably lost. What will the world’s good cheer, its glittering toys, its enticing gratifications, its highest ambitions, its richest possessions — avail then? What solace will they give when the trumpet sounds, when the Judge appears, when eternity is revealed? Oh, hear the voice that calls you to repentance. Forsake your sin and live! Have faith in Christ — and He will save you.
There is life for a look at the crucified One,
There is life at this moment for thee.
Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved —
Unto Him who was nailed on the tree.
It is not your tears of repentance or prayers,
But the blood that atones for the soul;
On Him then, who shed it, you may at once
Your weight of iniquities roll. His anguish of soul on the cross have you seen?
His cry of distress have you heard?
Then why, if the terrors of wrath He endured,
Should pardon to you be deferred?
Then doubt not your pardon, since God has declared
There remains no more to be done;
That once in the end of the world He appeared,
And completed the work He begun. But take with rejoicing from Jesus at once
The life everlasting He gives;
And know with assurance you never can die,
Since Jesus your righteousness lives!