IT is beyond one’s power to write adequately of the grace of Christ. The holiness of His nature, the richness of His love, 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.”
I see this “Holy One of God” deigning to come into this sinful scene to save poor fallen man, condescension unequalled, unparalleled! associating with publicans and sinners that He might win their hearts. What sovereign grace!
I see Him asking a drink of water of a Samaritan woman, 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?” What sovereign grace!
I see Him allowing a woman of the city to enter His august presence unbidden, to wash His feet with tears, and 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 devilish, 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 Saviour with the look of faith. I hear his words, “Lord, remember me.” And in a moment the gracious heart of Christ responds, “To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” What sovereign grace!
Scourgers, scoffers, mockers, robbers, murderers were all 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. Take a penny. Does it not bear witness to the grace of God in putting His Majesty King George V. on the throne? If I look at the daisy (what flower so simple and so common?)—I see the grace of God in causing it to grow so that the dear children may have something to tell them of the favor of God.
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 instance 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 is Christ who meets the sinner’s deepest need.
O unsaved one, you are like Naaman! You may 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.