01.02a. Section 2 contd
4thly, Jesus Christ is always precious to believers; he is more precious to them than a thousand worlds! Because he is always with them, in all their trials, and in all their troubles, and in all their straits, and in all their afflictions. "In all their afflictions he was afflicted," says the text. Sirs, who would not suffer with such a companion as this? "But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!" Isaiah 43:1-3. Do you see this, Christians, he is with you in the fire, in the water, in the prison, in all places, and at all times! He never leaves you, nor forsakes you, Hebrews 13:5. He beds and boards with you; he lies down, and rises up with you! He is called a friend, and indeed he is our best friend! "Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!" Song of Solomon 5:16 1. Jesus Christ is a faithful friend.
2. Jesus Christ is a prudent friend.
3. Jesus Christ is a providing friend.
4. Jesus Christ is a compassionate friend.
5. Jesus Christ is a constant friend.
6, Jesus Christ is a loving friend.
7. Jesus Christ is an everlasting friend.
He loves us to the end—and there is no end of his love! He who gave his image to us—loves his image in us. Jesus Christ gave himself to us, and for us; he loves us in himself, and as himself. Oh! what a sweet friend is Christ! God, in giving Christ to us—gave his very heart for us! Now, beloved, how can Jesus Christ be but always precious to a believer, who is thus always with a believer?
5thly, and lastly, WHY is Jesus Christ so precious to believers?
First, Because he is a believer’s life! Colossians 3:4, "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we appear with him in glory!" There is a three-fold life that flows from Christ: a life of grace,
a life of comfort,
a life of glory.
Secondly, Jesus Christ is precious to believers, because he is their light! Alas! alas! until we are in Christ—we must be in darkness! It is in his light, that we see light, Ephesians 5:14, "Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light."
Thirdly, Christ is precious to believers, because he is their food! "My flesh is the true food, and my blood is the true drink." John 6:55. Oh! what choice fare have they to feed on—who have Christ to feed on! Oh! You who have not Christ to feed on—your bread is but perishing bread.
Fourthly, Christ is precious to believers, because he is their strength! Take a man that is outside of Christ—he has no strength to withstand or overcome. "Without me," says Christ, "you can do nothing!" John 15:5. "When we were without strength, Christ died for us." To be without Christ, and to be without strength—is all one.
Fifthly, Jesus Christ is precious to believers, because he is their righteousness and holiness.
Sixthly, Jesus Christ is precious to believers, because he is their portion! Jesus Christ is the terror of his enemies—and the portion of his people. Jesus Christ is a lion his enemies—and the Lamb to his people.
I might in a few particulars ANATOMIZE the believer, and begin with his head. All that he knows of the things of God—he is indebted to Christ for it. Says Paul, "God who has shined in our hearts, by the light of the gospel, in the face of Christ." All the knowledge of God, all gospel light, all the knowledge of spiritual things, we have all from Christ.
Consider the believer in his heart. We find there a broken heart, a tender heart, a good and honest heart, a new-covenant heart. How does he get this heart? Why, he has it only from him in whom the new-covenant is made, and that is Christ.
Consider the believer in his graces, as faith, and love, and patience, and humility, and the rest—he has all from Christ! "Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness!" John 1:16. There is not one grace we have—but we have it from Christ.
Consider the believer in his life. He is an honest and just man. Who made him to differ? Why is he not so full of cheating tricks as other men? Why, he has not so learned Christ! Christ teaches him to live at a more holy rate than others do—so that if the believer is better than others in this, he may say, "Thanks be to Christ, for that before I lived as vainly as others did; but now I have not so learned Christ!"
Consider the believer in his privileges. He is a child of God, and it is by the Son of God—that he is a son of God, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name—He gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12. So that if he is a child of God, he must thank Christ for it! If he is one of the family royal, one of the chosen generation, he must thank Christ for it! For it is in Christ, and by him alone, that we have all the good which we enjoy.
Consider the believer in his comforts. He has not one good day—but it is from Christ. Has he comfort in ordinances, in the society of saints and prayer? He must thank Christ for all this. And thus I have given you a brief anatomy of the Christian, and showed you that Christ is all in all. Whatever a believer has of worth, he is indebted to Christ for it.
Now put all this together, and see what great reason there is that Christ should be precious to believers. Is it any wonder that these souls are enamored so with him, that they think their lives not worth the living but for him, and in him, and for his sake. Oh sirs, there is very great reason why believers set so high a value and esteem upon Christ, who is their all in all.
APPLICATION The first use shall be for examination and self-trial. You have heard that Christ is precious, precious to God, to angels, to saints. But now, O soul—is he precious to your soul? If he is precious to you—then all which is precious to him—is precious to you.
Oh, that men would but deal truly with their own souls! Many talk of grace—but few taste of grace! Many talk like a Christian—but few walk like a Christian! Many know what is to be done—but never do what is to be done. Many wear Christ’s livery—but do the devil’s drudgery! Many have hands as white as snow—but their hearts as black as hell! Many think themselves as surely going to heaven, as if they were already dwelling in heaven! Many think it shall go well with them hereafter, because it is so well with them here! Many lie down with such hopes in their beds of rest, which they dare not lie down withal in their beds of dust! Many appear righteous, who are only righteous in their appearance. But such as deceive others with a false show of holiness—will deceive themselves with a false hope of happiness! Remember, sirs, that the sheep’s coat shall be stripped off the wolf’s back! "They come to you in sheep’s clothing—but inwardly they are ferocious wolves!" Matthew 7:15. There is no making out our salvation—but by working out our salvation.
God binds up none in the bundle of life—but such who are the heirs of life! "Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my end be like theirs!" Numbers 23:10. There is no living a life that is wicked—and then dying a death that is righteous. Oh! therefore, examine yourselves. I shall propose four questions to be resolved by your own hearts.
1. What interest have you in him?
2. What influences have you from him?
3. What affections bear you to him?
4. What preparations make you for him?
Oh, sirs, that you would consider well these weighty things! Tell me, sir—what did Judas get by all his deceitful dealings? Nothing but a halter—in which his body was hanged; and a fire—in which his soul was burned! Though the earth may keep a wicked man living—yet heaven will not take a wicked man dying. I say, therefore, examine yourselves.
Secondly, I shall speak a little by way of exhortation and conclude.
1st, If Jesus Christ is so precious, oh then, open the door of your affections to him—that he may open the door of salvation to you! Open to the God of glory—that he may make you glorious. Behold the God of heaven stands at the door of your hearts, and knocks, Revelation 3:20, "Behold! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." He knocks by his Word, by his rod, by his Spirit, by his mercies, by his judgments, by his comforts. And all is, that he may come in and commune with you. Now, sinners, will you not open the door of your hearts to Christ—that he may open the door of heaven to you? If you shut out Christ out of your hearts—he will shut you out of heaven! And what will you get by that? Oh, sirs, he has gold to enrich you, wine to cheer you, bread to nourish you, righteousness to justify you, mercy to save you, and happiness to crown you!
2ndly, Let all that which is precious to God be precious to you:
1. The Son of God.
2. The book of God.
3. The worship of God.
4. The ordinances of God.
5. The ministers of God.
6. The people of God.
Oh! let these be precious to you. May the Lord give his blessing to what has been written.
WONDERFUL "Yes, He is altogether lovely!" Song of Solomon 5:16 Doctrine, That Jesus Christ is infinitely and superlatively lovely. To be in a state of grace—is to be miserable no more—and to be happy forever. It is faith which unites Christ and sanctified souls together on earth; and love that unites God and glorified souls together in heaven. Oh! believers, you are those worthies of whom the world is not worthy! From one saint, Jesus Christ has more glory given to him, than he receives from all the world besides. We owe not only our service to Christ—but we owe also ourselves to him.
I shall now make some remarks upon our Lord Jesus Christ’s seventh famous and lovely title, which is Wonderful.
"He shall be called Wonderful." Isaiah 9:6 The point that we shall lay down and speak to from hence, is this, Doctrine: That a believer’s Savior, is a Wonderful Savior. The world and devils fear him. But he is Wonderful in the eyes of all angels and saints, for his love. For the opening of this excellent point, take these particulars:
1. Christ is Wonderful in his nature.
2. Christ is wonderful in his person.
3. Christ is wonderful in his incarnation.
4. Christ is wonderful in his saints.
5. Christ is wonderful in his offices.
6. Christ is wonderful in his miracles that he wrought.
7. Christ is wonderful in his humiliation.
8. Christ is wonderful in his conquest.
9. Christ is wonderful in his ascension.
10. Christ is wonderful in his exaltation.
11. Christ is wonderful in his working in his saints.
Lastly, Christ is Wonderful in his judgment.
Some preachers have more time than matter—but I have now more matter than time; therefore I must omit much precious matter, for lack of precious time.
Beloved, I will handle but one of these in particular, and that is the seventh: That Jesus Christ is wonderful in His HUMILIATION. This is the head we shall now insist upon, and indeed this is one of the greatest wonders of all. That he who was so high—should be brought so low; that he who was so rich—should become so poor; that the Lord of life—should die; that the great God—should become a helpless babe; that the Eternal Word—should not able to speak a word; that he who made the law—should be under the law; that he who was more excellent than all the angels—should become less and lower than the angels. Oh! you angels, how you stand amazed at this, that the Lord of heaven and earth—should become a Servant to his own servants! Php 2:7, "He took upon him the form of a servant." This must needs be wonderful to all the angels in heaven. The first wonder in Christ’s humiliation is this—he took upon him our nature, Hebrews 2:16. God could stoop no lower than to become man, and man could be advanced no higher than to be united to God. He who before made man a soul after the image of God—now made himself a body after the image of man. For a man to be like to God is a wonder—but for God to be like man is a greater wonder! But when was it, that Jesus Christ took upon himself our nature? When it was in a state of innocency, free from all misery and calamity? No! But when it was at the lowest after the fall, when it was most beggarly, most wretched, most bloody, most accursed, most sinful, most feeble, "When we were without strength—Christ died for the ungodly," says the apostle. Romans 5:6.
Now, my brethren, that Jesus Christ should take upon him our condition, our frailty, our curse, our nature, when it was thus low, thus poor, thus wretched—oh! this is the wonder of wonders, and yet thus you see did Jesus Christ. Oh, wonderful abasement! Must God take upon him our frailty! Had we so far run upon the score of justice—that none could satisfy but God himself? Could he not send his angels or saints—but must he come himself in person? No, no! Angels or saints could not do it! If Christ will save us—he himself must come and die for us! The second wonder in Christ’s humiliation is this—he descended very low.
1stly, He was born of a poor maiden, of no account or reputation. Was there not even one great lady in Jerusalem, for this great Prince of heaven and earth to be born of? Must he be born of a poor despised virgin? Yes, certainly, there were many noble women in Jerusalem, but our Lord Jesus Christ had no more regard for the rich, than for the poor.
2ndly, He was revealed to poor despised shepherds—and not to emperors and kings. I say, the angels did not go and declare these joyful tidings and good news to Caesar at Rome—but to poor shepherds in the fields, Luke 2:8.
3rdly, He was born in a stable, Luke 2:12. Not in a parlor in a stately house or palace. No—but in a stable where horses and cows are fed.
4thly, He was wrapped in strips of cloth, and laid in a feeding trough. They were no cloths of fine linen or silks. They were not gilded with silver or gold. Nor were they precious robes—but poor beggars’ rags.
Now, beloved, put all this together, and tell me what is more wonderful and astonishing than this? Oh! humility, humility, how great is your riches that are thus commended to us! You please men, delight angels, and confound devils—and bring the Creator to a feeding trough! Oh, sweet Jesus, you conquer death by dying! The third wonder in Christ’s humiliation is this—he became poor. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: although He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich!" 2 Corinthians 8:9. He who was so rich—became so poor! He who was Lord of all—had nothing at all! He who made heaven and earth—had no home of his own! He who gives crowns of glory to others—had only a crown of thorns for himself! The foxes and the fowls had more than Jesus! "Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but I, the Son of Man, have no home of my own, not even a place to lay my head!" Matthew 8:20. The foxes had holes to lay their heads in—but Christ had not a place to lay his head on. As he was born in another man’s house—so he was buried in another man’s tomb!
"He became poor!" Yes, poor indeed, and so poor that he had not a penny! You will say, that a man is very poor—who has not a penny! Truly such a one was Christ—he had not a penny to pay the tax until he got it out of the fish’s mouth! "Go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a coin. Take the coin and pay the tax for both of us." Matthew 17:27 And when he was to ride into Jerusalem—he had no coach, no chariot, no horse of his own—he had to ride upon another man’s donkey! Matthew 21:2.
Oh! admire and wonder at this! Is not he the brightness of God, the paradise of angels, the beauty of heaven, the Redeemer of man, the destroyer of death, the King of saints! And that he should become so poor for us—oh! this is wonderful and astonishing to angels and men! The fourth wonder in Christ’s humiliation is this—he shed his blood six times for poor sinners! This is a great wonder!
1st, The first time was, when he was circumcised at eight days old. Oh, what a blessed Jesus is this! What, ready for the sacrifice already? What—but eight days old, and shed his blood for the salvation of men’s poor souls!
2ndly, The second time was, when he was in his agony, when he was in the garden. Matthew tells us, that "his soul began to be sorrowful." "deeply distressed and troubled", says Mark. "Now my soul is troubled" says John. Troubled? O Lord, what! You who bind up the proud waves of the sea—you who turns the hearts of kings as rivers of waters—you who laid the foundations cf the earth, and spread the heavens as a curtain—you who guides the stars and thunders in the clouds—you who upholds all things by the Word of your power. What—you troubled? Oh, the horror, the terror, the sorrow that seized upon the soul of Christ! "And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground!" Luke 22:44. He sweat what? Not natural sweat—but blood, he was in a bloody sweat all over! "He sweat clots of blood," as the original has it.
Oh! how did Christ come swimming to us in blood—and have not we a tear to shed for all these streams of his! We ate the sour grapes—and his teeth were set on edge! We climbed the tree, and stole the forbidden fruit—and he went up the ladder of the cross, and died! Oh! how lovely should he be in our eyes? We should wear his cross in our hearts, and treasure it up as Moses did the manna in the golden pot.
Christ’s cross is the golden key that lets us into paradise! His red blood washed away our crimson sins!
3rdly, He shed his blood for us when his cheeks were ripped and torn; the pulling off the hair, as the prophet speaks, "I gave My back to those who beat Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spitting." Isaiah 50:6. Some are of opinion, that Christ’s cheeks were rent to his very chin, and his beard was pulled off; both were very likely to be true; neither of them could be without much blood.
"The men who were holding Jesus started mocking and beating Him." Luke 22:64. Oh how was that face of his lacerated and covered with blood—which was brighter than the sun! He who was fairer than the sons of men; he who is the great glittering and sparkling diamond of the ring of glory! How was he bespotted and besmeared with blood! Oh! you hard of heart, you stubborn of heart, and indeed too stubborn are we all, if judgment and the hammer will not break your hearts—let love and mercy do it. Look unto Christ, and say, "Have you suffered this for me—and shall I not love you, O Lord! Shall I not serve you, and obey you, and honor you!"
4thly, Christ shed his blood when the crown of prickling thorns was put upon his head. "They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. Mark 15:17. Certainly there was much blood shed here. Oh! what a sight was this—to behold that head of his, that was as the most fine gold, as the spouse expresses it to be—now covered and torn with thorns! That he should wear the prickly crown of sharp thorns—who was fit to wear the crown of glory!
5thly, A fifth time when he shed his blood was when his hands and feet were nailed to the cross! These beautiful feet of his which came skipping upon the mountains, bringing the glad tidings of peace and salvation; skipping from the throne to the cradle, from the cradle to the cross, and from the cross to the throne again! How were these blessed hands of his nailed and made fast to the cross! Oh, you blessed spirits, look down from heaven, and you may see even the Almighty kneel at the feet of men. Oh, you angels! how should you be amazed at this, to see your Lord and master so far deny himself, as to take upon him the form of a servant! "We see Jesus (says the apostle,) made a little lower than the angels." To suffer death, the Creator not only became a creature—but inferior to some of the creatures which he had made. Oh, you blessed saints! Why do you not wonder at this wonder? to see the beauty of heaven, the paradise of angels, the brightness of his Father’s glory, the Redeemer of man—thus to humble himself, and take upon him man’s nature—for the salvation of man’s soul.
6thly, and lastly, Christ shed his blood when the spear was thrust into his side, out of which presently gushed water and blood; John 19:34. That is a very strange cure—that the physician should bleed, and his blood should have the virtue, that would save others. Physicians are usually liberal of other men’s blood—but sparing of their own; but it is not so with our great Physician. Instead of the patient’s bleeding in the arm—he bled in the side! Why do you shower down your blood—and come swimming in your blood? Is not a drop sufficient? One drop of his blood, is more worth than heaven and earth!
Oh love without measure! Oh wonderful redemption! That God should take upon him man’s frailty, that is wonderful indeed! It is enough for a king to pardon a thief—but that the king himself should die for the malefactor, that is beyond expression! This our blessed Lord did, our blessed Savior! He died—that we might live! He went and suffered in agony—that he might "stay us with flagons, and comfort us with apples." He endured the greatest pains—that we might enjoy the greatest pleasures. Oh how lovely, how lovely was Christ in his sufferings! Who would not love you, O King of saints? Christian! consider how much your dear Lord and Savior has suffered and undergone for you. Oh precious blood—it redeems us, it cleanses us, it washes us, it justifies us, it sanctifies us, it restores us to God, and brings us to heaven! "He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed!" Isaiah 53:5 The fifth wonder in Christ’s humiliation is this—He suffered in his soul. Matthew 26:38, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death!’’ says Christ. Oh what a word was this for a God to speak! For a man to say so, is no wonder—but for God to say so, oh, this is a great wonder indeed! The suffering of his soul—was the soul of sufferings! Christ yielded his soul—for our souls.
Many of the faithful servants have suffered much in their bodies, as the martyrs that were racked, and burnt, and sawn asunder; but they had much freedom in their souls, their souls were full of much spiritual joy and comfort. But now Jesus Christ did not only suffer in his body—but in his soul. This is what makes the wonder the greater—that Christ suffered in his soul. He drank the cup of affliction—that we might drink the cup of consolation! He tasted death for us—that we might taste life through him! He was forsaken—that we might never be forsaken! The sixth wonder in Christ’s humiliation is this—that he should allow himself to be so much mocked! He was mocked as Sampson was by the Philistines, when his eyes were put out. And truly this is a great wonder:
1. If we consider who Christ was.
2. If we consider who they were, who mocked him.
He was God—they were but dust and ashes!
1. They spit upon him.
2. They blindfolded him.
3. They crowned him with thorns.
4. They put a reed into his hand, instead of a scepter, 5. They clothed him with purple garments.
6. They bowed their knees to him in scorn.
7. They saluted him with, "Hail, king of the Jews!"
8. They made him carry his own cross, on which he was to be hanged; as malefactors go with halters about their necks to execution, so they made him carry the cross.
9. They reviled him, wagging their heads.
10. They crucified him with two thieves, and him in the midst of them, as though he had been the prince of the thieves, the greatest malefactor of them all.
11. They insulted over him in his misery.
All this they did in scorn to him, that they might make his death the more painful and shameful! Thus they never left off mocking him—until his soul left the world! Oh sirs, this is no small wonder—to consider how Jesus Christ was cruelly mocked. The seventh wonder in Christ’s humiliation is this—he suffered much from his Father! "Stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:4. Here is the wonder of wonders! He did not only suffer from Jews and Gentiles, Scribes and Pharisees, Judas and Pilate, wicked men and devils—but he suffers too, from his own Father! One would have thought, if God would spare any—it would have been his Son, his own Son, his beloved Son, his only begotten Son, his bosom Son. And yet God spared him not a jot! "He did not even spare His own Son—but offered Him up for us all!" Romans 8:32. Mark, if Jesus Christ will come and take our sins upon him, God will not spare him—but let out the fullness of justice, and justice to the full upon him, until he had paid the uttermost farthing of justice!
Oh! blessed Jesus, you suffered so much for our sinning, for our offending, for our rebellion!
Oh! then, what infinite cause have we to love you, and obey you, and honor you! For the more you has done and suffered for us—the dearer you ought to be unto us. The eighth wonder in Christ’s humiliation is this—Christ foresaw all this—and yet he willingly undertook it, to save his people! He knew before he came from heaven, how men would abuse him, and that one of his family would betray him. Says the text, "Jesus knew from the beginning, who would betray him!" Now, that our Lord Jesus Christ should foreknow all this most dreadful misery that he would endure—yet that he should come freely, willingly, and joyfully from heaven, to die and suffer by and for such poor wretches as we are—here is a wonder to angels and men!
"Here I am, I have come to do your will." Hebrews 10:9. Why did he come? To suffer for poor man, to redeem poor men! Do you see here, sirs, what great love Christ bore to his people! Rather than they should be in hell, and be damned—Jesus Christ would come from heaven and suffer all this for them, though he knew before how he would suffer! Oh, this is a great wonder, dear Christians! Methinks such a pearl should sparkle in our eyes. We sail to glory, not in the salt seas of our tears—but in the red sea of Christ’s blood. Truly it is astonishing to think how much he did for us—and how little we do for him! The greater our sins were—the greater his sufferings were! The greater his pain was—the greater should our love be to him.
I shall make of this point—a use of information and exhortation.
First, My first inference is this, that Christ suffered in what he endured from men in his body, and what he endured from God in his soul. He did not only endure pain in his body—but agony in his soul. Oh, the sea of sufferings, the sea of sorrow, the sea of blood, the sea of tears that our blessed Savior waded through—to bring peace to our souls, salvation to our souls, grace and glory to our souls! He suffered from devils, he suffered in his name, he suffered in his body, he suffered in his soul! The cause was our sins—the effect was our salvation!
If you look through the chronicle of his life, you will find his whole life full of sorrow and misery; he was persecuted, he was tempted, he was reproached, he was falsely accused, he was apprehended, he was betrayed, he was crucified. What more shall we say? Shall we say more? What more can be said? He was full of sorrow—he took his name from sorrow, "He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief." Isaiah 53:3. Now judge sirs, whether Christ’s life was not full of sorrows, he took his name from sorrow.
Oh! sweet Jesus, your sufferings were great. This is my first inference.
Secondly, Jesus Christ suffered by himself. He was alone in his sufferings; neither angels nor saints bore any part with him in his sufferings. No! he drank the bitter cup alone! He alone purged our sins! Hebrews 1:3, "He alone, by himself," says the text, "purged our sins." No, Christ had none to help to bear his heavy burden with him—he bore it himself alone.
But, my beloved, though our Lord Jesus Christ suffered by himself—yet he did not suffer for himself! He suffered for us, he suffered that wrath which we deserved! "Surely he took up our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought our peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed!" Isaiah 53:4-5. Do you see here, Christians, how many ’ours’ are here? Our griefs, our sorrows, our transgressions, our iniquities, our peace; you have here, five ’ours’! So again, "For our sakes he became poor;" 2 Corinthians 8:9. Mark, for our sakes. Beloved, he was born for us, "Unto us a child is born;" he was given for us, "to us a son is given," Isaiah 9:6. "He was made a curse for us," Galatians 3:13. He was delivered up for us, "Who spared not his own Son—but delivered him up for us all." Oh, sirs! all these things were FOR US: given for us, made a curse for us, made sin for us, delivered up for us, and is now in heaven interceding for us, Hebrews 7:25. My brethren, all that our Lord Jesus suffered, it was not for himself—but it was for us! Our blessed Savior suffered for us—that we might not suffer! This is the second inference.
Thirdly, My third is, That this is more for Christ to suffer anything—than for all men and angels to suffer all things. Mark, sirs, if all the kings and emperors would leave their thrones, their crowns, their kingdoms, their scepters, their glory, their honors and princely robes—and would take upon them a poor Lazarus’ condition—to live poorly, and fare poorly, and die shamefully; why, all this would not be so much as for Jesus Christ, the Son of God, to suffer the least thing he suffered!
Now further, I say, if all the angels in heaven, and men on earth, had come and suffered, and died ten thousand deaths—why, put all this together—and all this would not be as much as it was for Christ to suffer anything! This is because they are creatures—and he is the Creator; they the servants—and he is the Master; they are subjects—and he is the Prince; they are mean—and he is Mighty; he is the King of kings, and Lord of lords! Now, I say, it would not have been half such a wonder, if all the angels in heaven, and men in earth—had come and suffered—as it was for the Son of God. Oh! this is a wonder of wonders! His sufferings were wonderful, his humility was wonderful, his patience was wonderful, his love was wonderful; greater love could no man show; he loved us so—that he died for love!
Now, I beseech you, consider this inference, which was this, That it is more for Jesus Christ to suffer anything, than for all men and angels to suffer all things. And indeed, sirs, let me tell you—that I lack words to express it, or set it forth; for there is both lack of words, and lack in words—to express this this astonishing truth!
Fourthly, My fourth inference is this, What a miserable and dreadful case we lay in—that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ must endure all this, bear all this, undergo all this, for poor sinners! What do you think is the miserable and dreadful case we lay in? Certainly the misery of man was very great—that man should need such redemption as this! Oh! what a breach had sin made between God and us—that the Son of God must come from heaven to earth to suffer all this! Oh! sirs, mischievous sin, I say mischievous sin, has undone us! Sin has robbed us of six jewels, every one of which is of more worth than heaven and earth. Would you know what jewels they are, which sin has robbed us of? I will tell you—and then you will agree with me—that we were in a very miserable case indeed!
1. Sin robs us of the image of God. Was not this a precious jewel? I say, sin robbed us of the image of God—and drew the devil’s picture in us! Malice is the devil’s eye, oppression is the devil’s hand, blasphemy is the devil’s tongue, and hypocrisy is the devil’s cloven foot!
2. Sin robs us of our divine sonship—and makes us slaves to the devil, slaves to sin, slaves to the world, and slaves to ourselves! This is another jewel we have lost.
3. Sin robs us of our friendship with God—and makes us enemies to God, and enemies to Christ, enemies to our own souls, and enemies to all that is holy!
4. Sin robs us of our communion and fellowship with God—and makes us strangers and aliens to God.
5. Sin robs us of our rights and privileges of heaven, and heavenly things—and makes us children of wrath and heirs of hell.
6. Sin robs us of our honor and glory—and makes us vile and miserable; as you may see in Isaiah 1:6, "There is no soundness in us—but only wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores!"
Now, sirs, put all this together, and then see whether or not we are miserable, and whether we needed a Savior to come and deliver us from this misery into which our souls were plunged! Now here is our happiness, Christians: in Christ we have these jewels back again—which we lost in the old Adam! The glorious image of God, our divine sonship, our friendship with God, our fellowship with God, our heavenly privileges, and our glory and honor—we have regained all this by Jesus Christ!
Oh! sirs, man was in a very sad condition; man had brought himself into a sad condition; our condition was a miserable condition. A Fifth inference is this, Jesus Christ brought life to us—but we brought death to him! He brought to us a life of grace, a life of comfort, a life of glory—but we brought shame to him! He brought riches to us—but we brought poverty to him! He brought joy to us—but we brought sorrow to him, sorrow upon sorrow! He put the crown of glory upon our heads—but we put the crown of thorns upon his head! He does not think heaven is too good for us—but we thought the earth too good for him, and would not let him live here—but put him to death! He is not ashamed to own us before his Father, and his holy angels—but we are ashamed to own him before men! He justifies us—but we condemn him! Oh! sirs, think of your unkindness to him, and let the considerations of his infinite love and favor to you—draw out your affections after him! My Sixth inference is this, All believers have exceeding great cause to bless God for Jesus Christ; God the Father gave him to us—who were not his friends, but enemies; to us—who were not sons, but slaves; to us—who were not angels, but men; to us, who loved not God—but hated him! Oh! have we not cause to bless God for Jesus Christ? "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." Oh, sirs, what a gift is Jesus Christ!
Seventhly, If Jesus Christ is so wonderful—oh, then, how vile a thing, how base a thing is it for the hearts of men to prefer anything before Jesus Christ! Surely, sirs, if Jesus Christ is so wonderful, so precious, so lovely, so rich, so sweet, so rare—oh then it is a most abominable thing, a wicked thing, a vile thing to prefer anything before Jesus Christ! Oh! I speak it with grief of heart, that there are too many in the world who despise him, and make nothing of him, and love him not, and prefer every base lust before him! Though there is nothing more cursed than this—yet there is nothing more common than this—for men to prefer the vilest things before Christ.
1stly, The wicked worldling prefers the trash of the world before Jesus Christ! He can leave hearing and praying, reading and meditating—to follow the world! He prefers gold before God, earth before heaven, gain before glory, his corruptible silver before the eternal Savior. Oh, you wicked worldling, you wretched worldling—can your riches save your soul? Let me ask you, "Can your riches deliver you from hell? Can your riches bring you to heaven—that you prefer them before Christ.’’ Oh! the Lord Jesus will come in flames of fire, to take vengeance on such—and then you will know to your cost, and pain, and torment—that your riches cannot keep you out of hell, much less bring your soul to heaven! Then you will see your folly when it is too late!
2ndly, Drunkards, wicked drunkards, prefer their drunkenness before Christ! The drunkard prefers his cups before Christ; the drunkard wades through a sea of drink to his grave; he can sit a day or a whole night in the ale-house, and think it a little time; but an hour in the worship of God, oh now tedious is that! Oh! you drunkard, you drink up your cups so fast, God Almighty has a cup for you—but not a cup of wine, or a cup of beer—but a cup of wrath, which you shall drink to eternity! This is worse than to drink scalding hot lead down your throat! You have so much liquor here, not only drink to quench his thirst—but to drink to excess. But is no tavern or ale-house in hell; no, there is not even a drop of water to be obtained all through hell. Oh, wretch! you shall live in burning flames, and your tongue shall cleave to the roof of your mouth, and if you would give a thousand worlds for one drop of water, you shall not have it. And therefore, I beseech you, if any such there are here, in the name of God—hear and fear, and live no more wickedly!
Oh! I would not be in your condition for ten thousand worlds; and yet I cannot have but affections of pity towards you, which constrains me thus to speak, knowing your condition better than you do yourself. Oh! could you but speak with your fellow-drunkards that are now in hell, oh what a dreadful story would they tell you of their burning, and suffering, and pain, and torments! Some are in hell already—for the same sins you live in! And if you live and die without Christ, you shall be with them before long!
3rdly, The swearer, the blasphemous swearer, prefers his cursing before Christ. Many can swear by their Creator and Maker, and speak proudly, and look highly, and walk contemptuously—as if there were no God to punish, and no devil to torment. Well, let me tell you, oh swearer, who now delight in cursing—before long you shall be sent with a curse to a cursed place! Christ will say to you, "Depart, you who are cursed, into everlasting flames!"
Lastly, The proud person prefers his pride before Christ. If a fine suit of clothes were on the one hand, and Christ on the other—the proud person would rather put on the suit of clothes than Christ! Oh, I beseech you, sirs, consider what a vile and abominable thing it is—to prefer anything before Christ! "Consider this," says the Psalmist, "you who forget God—lest he tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you!" Oh, poor wretch! consider of that text! You are open to all the judgments in this life, and to all the torments in the life which is to come—all you wicked ones that prefer anything before Christ!
Eighthly, The last inference is this: If Jesus Christ is so wonderful, oh then everyone who hears of him, should think it is a most dreadful thing to miss of him.
Oh, friends! consider it; certainly that man or woman’s condition must needs be sad indeed, who lives and dies without Jesus Christ. Oh, poor wretch! the devil looks but for a look from God to come and rent you to pieces, and draw your soul to hell. Poor soul, your soul is in danger every hour of being arrested by death, and carried prisoner to hell. Oh, sirs, I beseech you—think and consider what a sad thing it is to miss of Christ. Until a man is in Christ, he has nothing, he knows nothing, he enjoys nothing, can do nothing, and is fit for nothing, and is worth nothing, Proverbs 10:20.
Oh, I beseech, you, that you would consider seriously that of all miseries that is the greatest of miseries to miss of Christ; we are never able to lament the loss of the poor soul that loses Jesus Christ; all losses be enrapt up in that one loss. And therefore I beseech you all—think what a sad condition that person is in, who misses of Christ. So much for this use of information.