Acts 1:11.
“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.”
PERHAPS you have, dear reader, though unconfessed, a real desire to be able to say, “Jesus is mine.” Let us for a few moments compare our thoughts about the Lord with the word of God. We must begin with this most wonderful fact that the Babe born so lowlily, and cradled in the manger, was the Son of God. How this fact speaks to us of the love of God! “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16.) We marvel at such an expression of love, but let us not attempt to fathom or reason it out, for the love of God is infinite.
The sweet story of Jesus then begins with the fact that He, “The Word, was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and,” says the apostle, “we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14.) And of this One the angel instructed Joseph, “Thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21) Thus we have the sequel to those words spoken four thousand years before: “And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field ... And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (Gen. 3:14, 15.)
During all this long interval between the fall of man and the birth of Jesus, God had tried man in every possible way, but with the result of failure upon failure in every circumstance on man’s part; so that, instead of fallen man getting back to God, he only got further away. This being so, God in grace made a way to bring sinners to Himself by giving His own dear Son to die. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18.)
Yes, Jesus the Son of God has trod this weary scene, making Himself acquainted with grief, and becoming the Man of Sorrows. He went to the cross, and there met God concerning the terrible question of sin; and He not only settled it forever as regards those who believe, but He glorified God in the very thing that, from the fall of Adam, had caused nothing but dishonor to Him.
He did all this, but at what a cost When we see Him in the garden, facing the terrible responsibilities He was about to undertake, when “His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground”; and when we follow Him to His mock trial, and from thence to the cross, and see Him nailed in shame and ignominy between two thieves, we have need to uncover our feet while we wonder and worship!
He who knew no sin was made sin for us! Let us think what must have been the agony of His soul when He was forsaken of God. And why forsaken? Because as the sin-bearer He must needs pass through judgment in order to become a Saviour from sin. “He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isa. 53:12.)
A friend of the writer was speaking to a man about his soul, and briefly set before him the finished work of Christ, and then, in God’s name, offered him salvation through faith in His blood. The man turned round with scorn, and replied, “Nay, mister, that’s over cheap for me.” True, it is cheap for us — “without money and without price;” but what did it cost Him to make it so free? Oh, think of it for a few moments! Let your mind be still, and let your heart answer the question, “What am I thinking of this wondrous work?”
What does God tell us in His word respecting His Son now? “God hath highly exalted Him.” (Phil. 2:9.) Yes, “this same Jesus,” who was put into Joseph’s tomb, was raised again by the mighty power of God (Rom. 6:4; 1 Cor. 6:14; 2 Cor. 4:14), and was taken up into heaven, where He now sits — the glorified Man — at the right hand of God.
“Raised again for our justification” — His presence in the glory above is God’s witness to the believer that God is satisfied with the price paid for our redemption. The whole weight of judgment has been borne by the Substitute, and the whole question having been forever settled, Jesus sits in the presence of God a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance and forgiveness of sins. (Acts 5:31.) Now is not that just what sinners want?
We read that when the Lord ascended to heaven, “As He went up, behold, two men stood by” His wondering disciples “in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10, 11.) This word is not yet fulfilled, but the Lord may come at any moment.
Are you prepared for His appearing?
Let us also consider this same Jesus on the day of judgment. Thus we read: “And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And 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. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:11-15.) Hang not back — think not that you are too bad, or too good. Oh, flee from the wrath to come!
He who said “I am the chief of sinners” is now with Jesus (1 Tim. 1:15), and there is room for you — room in the Saviour’s loving heart for all who will come. He says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28.) “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37.) “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever.” (Heb. 13:8.)