What joy and blessedness, overflows the heart of a poor sinner when, by faith, he gives ear to the sweet and soft sound of grace—to the voice of Jesus, which says to him, “Thy sins are forgiven thee: go in peace!”
We know that sins are often represented as debts: our creditor is the God of Justice, who has a right to demand of us even to the last farthing. And by nature we are all insolvent debtors; very far from being able, even in the smallest degree, to diminish aught of this mighty debt: man can only increase it each day, and each moment of the day.
What would have become of us if God had not had compassion on us—if God, in His great love, had not given us His Son, who has paid all for us, who offered up Himself a ransom for us? It is “in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Eph. 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)). We have to do with a compassionate Master, who has freely forgiven us all our debt. (Matt. 18:2727Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. (Matthew 18:27)).
The death of Jesus has been, so to speak, the payment of this debt; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; He voluntarily took it upon Himself. This was why He tasted death and passed through the prison of the sepulcher.
When a debtor comes out of prison, it is a proof that he has satisfied his creditor; much more so if he comes out of his prison with glory. Thus Jesus, who was considered a debtor in our place, has fully satisfied the justice of God, who raised Him up and glorified Him.
“Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:3838Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (Acts 13:38)).