Jehovah was a stranger in His own land. He was in the midst of His earthly people (ver. 9), but not then to bless them—in the fullness of His power unquestionably; but forbearing to save them from the dearth that pitifully reduced His beloved Israel to all but extinction. Why? "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isa. 59:1, 21Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:1‑2)). The estrangement here was on God's part. The people's iniquities must be, and were, imputed to them according to that law which could only ensure that "every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward" (Heb. 2:22For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; (Hebrews 2:2)).
Again, in due time, Immanuel is in His land, visiting His people. Not now a presence unseen, however real, but a Man among men. And again a stranger!
All that could be done in the way the prophets speak of—chastisement under the law for their sins— had been done. That law in the spirit of it was still their condemnation. But an alien mind was in them, and they saw not, so that this very law in the letter of it was a matter of national pride. It pleased the human mind (and does still) to use it for the culture of self-righteousness. Great promise of goodness as a consequence seemed to be, but no fulfillment when Christ appeared. Leaves in luxuriant abundance, but of fruit—nothing! It was a sad use to make of that severe schoolmaster God gave until Christ. Had they realized its inexorable authority and rule they would have been waiting for a Deliverer from the sin it effectually laid to their charge. But, blind to law, they were still more blind to Christ, and their misuse of it only inflamed their natural hatred of the true God, and fortified their hearts to resist His grace. He who came to save His people from their sins found His people, except a few, unprepared to be saved from their sins because they did not feel the necessity. Accordingly He who could meet every need from His fullness must press the need home that men might come to Him. He who alone on earth could forgive sins spoke and acted to convict of sin, that souls might seek Him, and learn His grace. In the great majority, alas! this was to bring to light the real enmity of heart to God that was concealed by religious profession.
Now, indeed, the strangeness, the alienation, is on the contrary part—on man's side. Man needed to be reconciled, as it is written, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them" (2 Cor. 5:1919To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)). How this manner of His coming deprives man of his last excuse! If power was restrained, appearing only on suited occasions at the call of grace, was it any less the power of God? If truth did not blaze forth and devour the adversaries, but enlighten the heart to discover its own sin, was it therefore not of God?
There was everything to win the heart in His raising of the widow's son, for instance, by His power in grace. Yet, had He come to condemn, He could have drawn every soul of man irresistibly before Him for judgment (as He will in its own day). Why were not all convinced that He with whom all things are possible, He who alone is good, was there present? Furthermore, it is in grace He answers the unspoken thoughts of a Simon the Pharisee—not by terrible things in righteousness. Was not that enough to bring the conviction of His glory? Yet how many will not believe till they believe and tremble before the records of omniscience—the books that will be opened at the great white throne. No, a hero-king, who would make their world better without raising the question of sin, would have been welcome, but the Christ of God was counted a stranger. "I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children" (Ps. 69:8).
Did not Jesus choose "the good Samaritan" to teach this very thing of Himself? "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" is a commandment exceeding broad. The questioner (Luke 10:25-3725And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. 28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? 30And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? 37And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:25‑37)) seems to have felt it so, as never before, now that he hears it confirmed by Jesus. "But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?" The only relief for his uneasiness that suggests itself to him is to try (lawyer-like) to circumscribe his responsibility by some narrow definition of the word "neighbor." What an overturning of his thoughts follows! Mercy is shown just where the need is. But who is it that is cited as the true exponent (and more) of that law of God? A despised stranger Samaritan! The Jew of the parable is robbed and dying, but he receives everything needed from an alien, who is rich in mercy. The answer Jesus gave, was it not framed to shatter all self-conceit and teach the lawyer that he needed One to seek and save him, instead of discussing a duty he had never fulfilled? That One was the rejected Stranger, with whom he stood face to face. The true Kinsman-redeemer was come-a Neighbor near to the place where he was. And none ever showed mercy like Him. His path to the cross is strewn with the fragrant memorials of grace, and hanging there—the self-offered Victim for sin—the silence of death speaks the fullness of His love. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)).
Reader, does your heart give ready acknowledgment to this, that you are such a sinner needing One to die for you—a Substitute? If not, the true Christ is yet a stranger to you, and in some way slighted and despised. The living Christ is still unrecognized by those who resort to the self-styled priests of our own day. In Christ is fullness; not only the oil and wine, the joy of present salvation, but provision for everything from this moment till He comes. Is He this to you?
He is a stranger to you who see no need of His shed blood to take your guilt away. Your cherished ideal is a shadowy Christ of your own imaginings. That other Christ who is a pattern only to men, and no substitute for the sinner, is not another, but a false one. The revealed Christ is the living One, that died for you, and lives for evermore.
Be not deceived to think the bitterness of death is past. Be warned ere He comes—ere that day when He shall sit as Judge whom now you contemn. “I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God" (Rev. 20:1212And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:12)). “If thou, Jehovah, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand" (Ps. 130:3)?
T. D.