The Sacrifice of Christ!

The Sacrifice of Christ!
From Timeless Grace Gems
William Nicholson, 1862

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed!" 1 Peter 2:24

These words are full of joyful interest to the people of God. They contain the sublimest doctrine of the Gospel — the sacrificial death of Christ! To this subject the believer can apply in every moment of spiritual anxiety and embarrassment, and find strong consolation.

Vain are your accusations Satan, vain are your lightnings and thunderings O Sinai, and vain are your scoffs O children of sin and folly! Christ is mine! He undertook my case of guilt and condemnation; he voluntarily became my surety; he stood in my place, and "bore my sins in his own body on the tree."

The design of Christ in coming into the world, was not merely to become an example of virtue, or to die as a martyr for the truth — as some affirm who deny his Divinity and atonement. What a meager view is this of Christ's work!

It is impossible to consider, with unbiased mind, the phraseology of the text and context, without considering that the death of Christ was sacrificial. Contemplate,

I. Christ as a Sacrifice for Sin.

Our redemption was mercifully purposed and devised by Jehovah. It existed in the fathomless depths of Infinite wisdom and love. The Son of God is the great efficient and meritorious author of our redemption. God redeemed us by the righteousness of his Son. "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law." Galatians 4:4

1. Christ was possessed of the highest dignity and glory. He was the Son of God, co-equal with the Father, infinitely endeared to him by an ineffable union, and a full participation in all the attributes of a Divine nature — and therefore must be infinitely superior to, and higher than angels. Yes, he is the object of angelic adoration, Hebrews 1:6. He is represented as being one with the Father, "In whom dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead," etc. He is called the Creator of the universe — the ruler of worlds — the Lord of Providence, and the Judge of all! Hebrews 1:2, 3.

The works of Christ on earth proved that he was more than man. Witness,
you blind, whose eyes he opened;
you deaf, whose ears he unstopped;
you paralyzed, whose legs he made whole;
you demon-possessed, who were saved;
you stormy winds, which he calmed;
you raging sea, whose rolling waves he stilled;
you grave, whose barriers he burst, etc.

2. Christ, that he might offer himself as a Sacrifice, became incarnate, Hebrews 10:4-8. "The word was made flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:14. And this was absolutely necessary, that he might have blood to shed, "for without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin." This was absolutely necessary, that he might enter into the feelings and trials of his people, weep with those who weep, etc. Hence he was in all things, excepting sin, made like unto his brethren. He was seen and conversed with, as a man. He had all the members and faculties of a man; all the appetites and infirmities of a man. He was God manifest in the flesh. That body which was prepared, was the temple of God. As a Sacrifice,

3. As a Sacrifice, Christ was perfectly holy, "Such a high priest meets our need — one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens!" Hebrews 7:26. ""He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 1 Peter 2:22. His friends ever beheld him as sinless; his bitterest enemies could never accuse him of one sin; he always did those things which pleased his Father, and the infinitely holy Jehovah announced from the most excellent glory, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Therefore the death or sacrifice of Christ, was associated with perfect innocence. In every other instance, death dips his darts in guilt, before they can inflict a wound — but in the impeccable Savior, he found none. Where then, O where, did death obtain the poison which rankled in the heart, and caused the death of him who expired on the cross? The only answer that can be given, is the sin of others — this it was that furnished the weapon by which the Lord of Life was slain. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree!" "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. This leads us to observe that,

4. Sin was the cause of the Savior's sacrifice. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree!" The sin and guilt of the transgressor, separated him from God, and exposed him to the curse.

There is an evil in sin which no language can describe. It is more deadly than the venom of the adder, or scorpion. It is more ruinous than the famine or pestilence. What myriads of souls has it consigned to damnation! Sin has insulted the Divine Lawgiver by breaking his laws, and despising his authority. Sin incurs his righteous displeasure, and binds over the impenitent, like a criminal condemned by law, to the day of deserving punishment.

Behold, what sin has done!
The image of God has departed from your soul,
your affections are sensual,
your will is stubborn,
your heart is callous,
your mind is dark,
your judgment is erroneous,
your whole soul is deformed and defiled,
and you are treasuring up wrath!

Hence the unparalleled nature of God's love in delegating his only begotten One to die for the lost, the ungodly, the perishing! "Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us!" Romans 5:6, 8

From this mass of evil, remember man could not emancipate himself.

5. Christ, as a Sacrifice, stood charged with the sins of his people, as one who had undertaken to put them away by the sacrifice of himself. In fact, he took the sinner's place, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all!" Isaiah 53:6.

This undertaking was a voluntary one, "No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord." John 10:18. It is as if he had said, "Let me be bound for the vile criminal — let me suffer for him! Let the sword of justice pierce my heart — and not the sinner's heart! Let me drink the bitter cup for him, and suffer the vengeance of eternal fire for him!" Yes, and the awful mandate was given, "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me! Strike the shepherd! declares the LORD Almighty" Zechariah 13:7

What a burden he sustained! It was the heaviest burden that ever was carried — heavier than the weight of the universe — heavier than holding up the pillars of a boundless creation — so heavy that its weight was sufficient to have sunk unto endless perdition, all the sinful subjects of the Divine dominion. But, amazing love and power! He "bore our sins!"