In this sermon, the speaker tells a story about a father named John who is faced with a difficult decision. John is responsible for operating a bridge that a train with 400 passengers is about to cross. However, his son, Greg, accidentally falls onto the gears of the bridge and is in danger of being crushed. John realizes that the only way to save his son is to stop the bridge from lowering, but this would result in the train and its passengers being killed. Despite his love for his son, John makes the heartbreaking decision to sacrifice his son's life in order to save the lives of the 400 passengers on the train. The speaker uses this story to illustrate the concept of sacrifice and the depth of God's love for humanity.

G.W. North emphasizes the profound truth of substitution in the context of Jesus' sacrifice, explaining that Christ died not just for us, but as us, taking on our sins and the punishment we deserved. This act of substitution is rooted in the concept of identification, where Jesus fully identified with humanity's sinfulness while simultaneously embodying divine righteousness. North elaborates that true redemption involves a transfer of sin from the sinner to Christ and a transfer of Christ's righteousness to the sinner, resulting in complete forgiveness and a new life. He highlights that the essence of salvation is found in the unity of sinlessness, righteousness, and holiness, which must coexist in believers as they are transformed by Christ. Ultimately, North calls for a deeper understanding of the mystery of God's love and the comprehensive nature of redemption through Christ's identification with humanity.

Andrew Murray emphasizes the dual aspects of the cross in his sermon, highlighting Christ's role as our substitute who bore our sins and fulfilled the law on our behalf. He explains that while many focus on the forgiveness of sins through Christ's sacrifice, the deeper truth is that His death enables us to die to sin and live righteously. This transformative aspect of the cross invites believers to share in Christ's new life, moving beyond mere pardon to a life empowered by righteousness.

Horatius Bonar emphasizes that Christ's role as the Substitute is essential for understanding His sacrifice for sinners. He argues that if Christ did not die as the Sin-bearer, then His death is meaningless. Bonar clarifies that Christ's deliverance is not merely a risk or a small sacrifice; rather, it is a complete substitution of His life for ours. He highlights that true redemption comes through Christ's blood, which cleanses us from sin and brings us into a relationship with God. This profound act of love is what inspires our worship and gratitude.