MANY years ago a handsome column was erected to the memory of Napoleon the Great in one of the great squares of Paris—the Place Vendome. It is of immense height, with a standing figure of Napoleon, and is composed of cannon captured during his wars.
It is said that when it was erected, on the foot of it there was found written—perhaps by a widow or orphan, whose husband or father had been killed in one of these wars— “Monster, if all the blood that thou hast shed could be collected in this square, thou mightest drink without stooping.”
What a commentary on the victor of Marengo, of Austerlitz, of Wagram, of battles too numerous to mention! What a commentary on the title Great!
But the Victor of whom we write did not become so by killing others, but by—dying Himself. His victory gained for Him the title, “Prince of PEACE.” Not ambition, nor lust of power, nor hate of others, led Him into the conflict, but—LOVE. Was there ever a death like His?
Napoleon’s claim to greatness, if understood aright, would cause posterity to execrate his name. He was a great butcher—a great murderer—the embodiment of wickedness and cruelty. His tomb is perhaps the most impressive sight in Paris, yet the terrible reflection that forces itself on the mind of the beholder is that he was responsible for the slaughter of three million soldiers.
In vivid contrast to this is the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Not three million soldiers killed to satisfy lust and wickedness; but His own death witnessed to His desire to give life, not to take it, for He “gave His life a ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:66Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:6)).
“By weakness and defeat,
He won the meed and crown;
Trod all our foes beneath His feet,
By being trodden down.”
Napoleon’s victories caused many a tear to fall, many a heart to break—the victory of the Lord Jesus has dried many a tear, healed many a breaking heart, and will fill heaven with myriads of the redeemed. Well might we ask how the victory was obtained. Mark well the answer: He became THE VICTOR by becoming THE VICTIM. He conquered by—surrender. He overcame by—dying. He crushed the foe by—yielding. There never was a death like His!
Reader, has the love expressed in it won your heart? He died for YOU. Only His death can give you life. Only His death can give you forgiveness. Only His death can give you salvation.
But to receive life and forgiveness and salvation you must trust Him, you must believe in Him. Or else His death, instead of proving a blessing to you, will seal your doom, for “how shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation”? (Heb. 6:22Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:2)). If His precious blood, like the blood of Abel’s “more excellent sacrifice,” does not obtain witness that you are righteous (see Heb. 11:44By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. (Hebrews 11:4)), then His blood, like that of the murdered Abel’s, will call for vengeance from the ground. Which shall it be?
As Isaiah prophesied seven centuries before, the Saviour was “brought as a lamb to the slaughter”; as the kingly psalmist foretold a millennium before, the bitter cry was wrung from His sacred lips, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”
Behold the Victim! All God’s wrath against sin was poured upon Him. But listen! What is that mighty shout filling the air? Not the last feeble whisper of a dying man, but the victor shout of One whose life could not be taken from Him, but who had power to lay it down, and power to take it again.
Hear the thrilling words:
“It is finished!”
Glorious words! The work of atonement is accomplished. The mighty deed of salvation is completed.
Behold the Victor! Vacant is the cross. Empty is the tomb. Burst are the bonds or death. Look up! Look up!! See the Saviour, the Lord of life and glory, the triumphant Victor seated on the throne.
“‘IT IS FINISHED!’ Sinners, hear it,
’Tis the dying Victor’s cry;
‘IT IS FINISHED!’ Angels, bear it,
Bear the joyful news on high:
‘IT IS FINISHED!’
Tell it through the earth and sky.”
Will you not let Him conquer you—overcome your resistance—break down your rebellion by—HIS LOVE? Salvation then will be yours.
If not, the day will come when you will be forced to yield, to bow the knee, to confess Him as Lord by HIS POWER. Judgment, alas! must then be yours. Which shall it be?
A. J. P.