THE Scripture tells us that “Christ died for the ungodly.” Blessed fact! It will fill eternity with praise. It is the foundation of all blessing and godliness. The love of Christ is unfathomable. When none else could save, and nothing less than His death — even the death of the cross — was needed, He willingly died in our stead: “He poured out His soul unto death.” Unparalleled kindness!
The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world, and the beloved Son infinitely gloried the Father in redeeming us from all iniquity. He said, “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life that I might take it again” (John 10:1717Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. (John 10:17)). What love! How perfect in every aspect! God’s love manifested in not sparing His own Son, but delivering Him up for us all; and Christ’s, the good Shepherd, in giving His life for the sheep. How blessed! While we were yet sinners Christ died for us. The Prince of Life tasted death. His soul was made an offering for sin. He bare our sins in His own body on the tree. He loved us and gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet smelling savor. Wondrous grace! The Holy One made sin and made a curse for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. Is it any marvel, then, that the adorable Sufferer cried out, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” Precious mysteries of redeeming love! Who can fathom the unsearchable depths of the cross of Christ?
Nothing is more plainly taught in Scripture than the necessity of Christ’s death — even the death of the cross — for our redemption. Every saved person knows this. Our Lord told Nicodemus that the Son of man must be lifted up. He also said, “The bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world;” and “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” How blessed, then, is the divine fact that “Christ died for the ungodly.”
He is the sinner’s Friend, because He was the sinner’s Substitute. Praise God —
“The atoning work is done;
The Victim’s blood is shed!”
But though Christ, the bearer of our sins, died, it was not possible that He should be holden of death. His flesh saw no corruption. Having purged our sins, God raised Him from the dead, and crowned Him with glory at His own right hand in the heavenlies.
Reader, is the death and resurrection of Christ nothing to you? Have you taken refuge in Him as the only hope set before you? How can you possibly escape the coming wrath, if you neglect this great salvation? H. H. S.