383. 2CO 8:9. THE UNPARALLELED GRACE OF JESUS
2Co_8:9. The Unparalleled Grace Of Jesus
PART I
"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."’972Co_8:9.
When the apostles would press any duty on believers, they do it by placing before them the example and spirit of Christ; when they exhort believers to love each other, it is because Christ loved us, and laid down his life for us; when they exhort to humility, it is urged because Christ, "who counted it not robbery, &c., yet took upon him the form of a servant," &c.; when called to patience, we are reminded to consider Jesus, who endured the "contradiction of sinners," &c.; when urged to benevolence and liberality, then the apostle directs us to the facts of the text, "Yes I know," &c. Notice,
I. Christ’s original Riches.
II. Christ’s voluntary Poverty
I. Christ’s original Riches.
"That though he was rich." To no period of Christ’s life on earth can this apply. The text has no meaning if Christ had not an existence previous to his birth in Bethlehem. Now this statement is quite clear when viewed in harmony with the doctrine of his glory and Godhead; when we acknowledge the supreme Divinity of Christ, then the subject is perfectly satisfactory; the prophet declared this, "Unto us a child," &c.; "They shall call," &c. Jesus asserted this of himself, "I and the Father are one;" "He who hath seen me," &c. The apostle taught this; of him he said, "That he is God over all," &c., "God manifest in the flesh;" "This is the true God," &c. Then Christ’s original riches must refer to his Divinity and Godhead; as such he was rich,
1. In the possession of all the attributes of Deity.
He was possessed of eternity of nature, of Almighty power, infinite knowledge boundless goodness, immaculate purity, and immutable truth: he was not only great but the greatest; high, but the highest glorious, but the transcendently glorious Lord; King of kings, and Lord of lords.
2. In his proprietorship and dominion over all things.
Christ was the proprietor of the universe, and this was founded in his right, as the Creator of the world. "By him all things," &c., "without him," &c. We count a person who has an estate of a few miles rich. "The earth is the Lord’s," &c. Every world, through the immensity of space, go from planet to planet; traverse the whole solar system, and then pass beyond, through every system, and everywhere you are in Christ’s dominions, for he upholdeth all things, and is Lord of all.
3. He was rich in glory, honor, and felicity.
All things reflected his own image; all things, save fallen angels and men, yielded him their tribute of praise. Myriads of voices extolled him together; all things were of him, and by him, and for him, every flower was fragrant with his perfume, every brook murmured his goodness, every breeze wafted his praise every sun displayed his splendor, every star was brilliant with his radiance, every creature on earth and in heaven hymned his honor and glory, as the great centre of the universe all rolled around his high throne, and he received reverence from all creatures and all worlds. Now these riches of Christ were, (1) underived, (2) eternal, (3) inexhaustible. Observe,
II. Christ’s voluntary Poverty.
"He became poor." Now this was not accidental, but the result of his own voluntary engagements, as the surety of our ruined race. Now the first step in this poverty was,
1. The assumption of our nature.
The condescension is inconceivable; an archangel becoming a worm, is the change of one creature into that of another, but the other was the union of eternity with a span, infinity with nothingness, grandeur with meanness, power with weakness, glory with degradation, consummated bliss with wretchedness and wo, God dwelling in the nature of worthless man, made in the likeness of sinful flesh.
2. He assumed our nature in its poorest form.
Behold his parentage, birthplace, his occupation, his circumstances, no gold or land, "The birds of the air," &c.; his attendants, his resources, tribute-money, had to depend upon wild fruit,’97fig-tree. At death stripped of all his garments, was born with nothing, lived without any thing, and died without any article of dress; his body laid in another man’s grave.
3. He was poor in reputation.
Solomon has said, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches;" and again, "A good name is better than precious ointment;" and how poor was Christ in this respect. He was so holy that he was without spot, yet he was called a glutton and wine-bibber, and a companion of publicans and sinners. He was represented as seditious and turbulent; a false prophet and sinner; a deceiver and madman; and as in fellowship with Beelzebub, the prince of devils. Hence he had to meet slanders and revilings everywhere, until he could say, "Reproach hath broken my heart;" and he was branded with crime, and at last put to a cruel and ignominious death, even the death of the cross. Thus, having taken all besides, at last they took his life. We can never soar high enough to judge of Christ’s original riches, so we shall never be able to fathom the depths of his mysterious poverty.
Application
1. Learn the vanity and worthlessness of all earthly good; see the contempt Christ poured upon it; they are uncertain and unsatisfying.
2. Learn how Christ hath sanctified poverty; he made it his own by choice.
3. Let us be reminded of our spiritual poverty: Oh! be rich in grace.
4. Let us seek after the riches of eternity; be anxious for a good title and an entire qualification for its enjoyment
Autor: JABEZ BURNS