It is beyond one's power to write adequately of the grace of Christ. The holiness of His nature, the dignity of His person, the greatness of His power, the magnificence of His glory, are seen in Him of whom it is written: "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich." 2 Cor. 8:99For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9).
I see this "Holy One of God" deigning to come into this sinful scene to save poor fallen man: Condescension unequaled, unparalleled! See Him associating with publicans and sinners that He might win their hearts. What sovereign grace!
I see Him asking a drink of a Samaritan woman (a mixed race despised of the Jews), that He might discover to her her sinful condition and thus reach her conscience; that He might display unexampled grace which brought out the confession: "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" John 4:2929Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? (John 4:29). What sovereign grace!
I see Him allowing a woman of the city to enter His august presence unbidden, to wash His feet with tears, to wipe them with the hairs of her head, that she might hear the forgiveness of her many sins. What sovereign grace!
I see the wicked, murderous crowd come out with swords and staves to take Him, the high priest's servant's ear cut off, and even at such a time He puts forth His hand and heals. What sovereign grace!
I see a dying robber meeting with his just dues, yet turning to the Savior with the, look of faith. I hear his words, "Lord, remember me." And in a moment the gracious heart of Christ responds, "Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." What sovereign grace!
Scourgers, scoffers, mockers, robbers, murderers, all were present to witness the indescribable death of that blessed One, and to hear such words which only the eternal Son of God could utter:—"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." What sovereign grace!
Everything in every place speaks of God's wondrous grace to man. Even a silver coin of this land, a nation founded through and blessed by the "unmerited favor" of Almighty God, reminds us by its motto, "In God we trust," that He is the Giver of all good to unworthy, fallen man. The flowers of the field, the sunset's glow, bountiful harvests, and comforts of home proclaim with loud voice the omnipotent Hand of the God whose goodness should draw men to repentance. If, again, we think of the favored privileges of Israel all these were by the grace of God. Yet this grace would not be limited to that nation, but would reach to one and another outside its commonwealth; as we may note the case of the widow of Sarepta for one, and Naaman the Syrian for another. I see the character of it in David and Mephibosheth. The manner of it I see displayed in the Gift of God's love—Christ, who meets the sinner's deepest need.
Dear unsaved one, you are like Naaman!
You can be like Mephibosheth!—made like unto a king's son, to eat bread continually at the king's table, by the sovereign grace of God. C. H. C.