Lo, in the Midst of the Throne
The sermon highlights the beauty and significance of Christ's wounds, which reveal His love, character, and victory over sin and death.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the beauty and significance of Christ's wounds, portraying them as His glories and sacred ornaments. He describes Jesus as 'white and ruddy,' symbolizing purity and sacrifice, and asserts that the wounds of Christ are more precious than the splendor of earthly kings. Spurgeon highlights that these wounds are not just marks of suffering but trophies of His love and victory, reminding believers of the depth of His sacrifice. He encourages the faithful to cherish these wounds, as they are a source of healing and a testament to God's grace. Ultimately, Spurgeon calls for a deeper appreciation of Christ's suffering as a reflection of His love for humanity.
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Why should our exalted Lord appear in His wounds in glory? The wounds of Jesus are His glories, His jewels, His sacred ornaments. To the eye of the believer, Jesus is passing fair because He is "white and ruddy" white with innocence, and ruddy with His own blood. We see Him as the lily of matchless purity, and as the rose crimsoned with His own gore. Christ is lovely upon Olivet and Tabor, and by the sea, but oh! there never was such a matchless Christ as He that did hang upon the cross. There we beheld all His beauties in perfection, all His attributes developed, all His love drawn out, all His character expressed. Beloved, the wounds of Jesus are far more fair in our eyes than all the splendour and pomp of kings. The thorny crown is more than an imperial diadem. It is true that He bears not now the sceptre of reed, but there was a glory in it that never flashed from sceptre of gold. Jesus wears the appearance of a slain Lamb as His court dress in which He wooed our souls, and redeemed them by His complete atonement. Nor are these only the ornaments of Christ: they are the trophies of His love and of His victory. He has divided the spoil with the strong. He has redeemed for Himself a great multitude whom no man can number, and these scars are the memorials of the fight. Ah! if Christ thus loves to retain the thought of His sufferings for His people, how precious should his wounds be to us!
"Behold how every wound of His A precious balm distils, Which heals the scars that sin had made, And cures all mortal ills.
"Those wounds are mouths that preach His grace; The ensigns of His love; The seals of our expected bliss In paradise above."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Wounds of Christ as His Glories
- A. The wounds are His jewels and ornaments
- B. They reveal His innocence and purity
- C. They showcase His love and character
- II. The Wounds of Christ as More Beautiful than Human Glory
- A. The thorny crown is more valuable than an imperial diadem
- B. The sceptre of reed holds a glory that surpasses gold
- III. The Wounds of Christ as Trophies of His Love and Victory
- A. They are the memorials of His fight for us
- B. They are the spoils of His love and redemption
Key Quotes
“Behold how every wound of His A precious balm distils, Which heals the scars that sin had made, And cures all mortal ills.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“Those wounds are mouths that preach His grace; The ensigns of His love; The seals of our expected bliss In paradise above.” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- We should cherish the wounds of Christ as a reminder of His love and victory.
- The wounds of Christ are a symbol of His complete atonement and redemption.
- We can find healing and restoration through the precious balm that flows from Christ's wounds.