590. SON 1:4. REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST
Son_1:4. Remembrance of Christ
"We will remember thy love."’97Son_1:4.
A great deal is said in the Scriptures concerning the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, it may be said to be the very essence and glory of the gospel. Take it away, and we have no good news for the sinner’97no glad tidings for a perishing world. Take it away, and all before us is dark, and dreary, and hopeless’97and all above us, awful and appalling. Take it away, and you leave man without a remedy for his guilt, misery, and condemnation. Everywhere, however, this subject animates the sacred writers. The patriarchs advert to this. Abraham saw the day of Christ and rejoiced, and was glad. David never was so exhilarated as when he was writing the things concerning the King,’97then, indeed, his tongue was as the pen, &c. How Isaiah and most of the prophets testified of Christ, time will not allow me to detail. Our text is the language of the Church, figuratively described in this book as the spouse of the Redeemer, who exclaims’97"We will remember," &c. We ask,
I. What are the peculiarities of Christ’s love that we will remember.
II. The nature of the remembrance we will maintain. And,
III. The influence which this remembrance will exert.
I. What are the peculiarities of Christ’s love, that we will remember. We ought affectionately to remember the love of friends and benefactors. The love of parents, especially the love of our pious and devoted mothers. It is base and ungrateful to forget ordinary exhibitions of kindness and love. If so, how striking does the love of the Lord Jesus stand out towards us in the gospel!
1. In the eternity of its origin. The love of Christ is seen on the cross’97in the garden during his whole life: but they were the flowing streams’97where was the fountain? Go back to paradise, and you find it not there. No! before all time it existed in his purposes,’97in his resolves,’97in his designs,’97which then comprehended the salvation of our race. See Eph_1:4. "I have loved thee with an everlasting love," &c.
2. In the freeness of its nature. Was the love of Christ a mere drop’97a mere ray? Oh, no! it was a stream deep and wide, and overflowing. The winds of the heavens are not more tree. The waves of the sea, &c. It was the spontaneous tide of his own goodness setting in on our world, and rolling its billows of mercy on our desolated earth.
3. In the worthlessness of its objects. Men seek for fitness, and worth, and excellency, in the object of their affections. We love the beautiful, the intelligent, the good, the amiable! Had the love of Christ been thus regulated, it never would have fixed its regards on sinful men. Instead of beauty, there was the disgusting loathsomeness of depravity. Instead of intelligence, there was gross ignorance. Instead of goodness, there was enmity and unholiness. Instead of the amiable, there was the carnal’97the malevolent’97the diabolical. Yet on beings so unlovely, did he set his heart’s affections, &c.
4. In the sacrifices of its communication. To love an unlovely object is surprising; but to do so at much inconvenience, loss, and suffering, is still more marvellous. Yet so did Christ. To render his love available he must remove the difficulties, take away the obstacles, pay the penalty. The objects, &c., were enslaved’97he must redeem. They were guilty’97he must atone. They were polluted’97he must cleanse. Satan held them in fetters’97he must burst the bonds. Deity in his holy nature, was bound to punish’97he must become the surety. They were carnal, and haters of God’97he must renew and change the heart. He did all this. He descended from heaven. Became a child, &c. Man of sorrows,’97poor,’97persecuted, condemned, crucified, &c. Laid down his life.
"See there, my Lord, upon the tree," &c.
5. In the graciousness of its application. We have been speaking of the love of Christ for us; but see it also manifested to us, in the overtures of the gospel. Suing for a place in our souls. Overcoming our enmity,’97captivating our hearts, &c. How gentle, tender, condescending, the love of Christ to us.
6. In its unchangeable constancy. His love is not only intense, but abiding. Eternal as ‘to the past, and perpetual as to the future. Often fervent affection is fickle, and speedily cools. Christ’s is immutable. And think of its constancy in the midst of our changes, and departures, and sins. All this is wondrous. Well may we say’97"We will remember," &c.
II. The nature of the remembrance.
1. It should be affectionate and reciprocal We love him, &c. We should remember to exhibit ours. To testify our grateful feelings, &c.
2. It should be practical. A religion that influences our conversation and spiritual condition. If any man love me, he will keep my words. "If ye love me," &c.
3. It should be reflective. Christ’s love to us and in us, should be reflected to those around us. If Christ so loved us, we should also love another. Love to his people, &c. Love to the wretched, &c. Love to the world. Love to our enemies. Oh, remember to reflect it. Be so many mirrors of the love of Christ, "By this shall all," &c.
4. It should be abiding. A subject never to be forgotten. Daily, hourly remembrance. But there are especial seasons. In the closet. In reading the Word. In the sanctuary. Especially at the Lord’s table. May it be in the dying hour, then it will be in the day of judgment and through all eternity.
III. The influence the remembrance of Christ’s love will exert.
1. It will destroy the love of sin.
2. It will moderate the love of self. "I am crucified," &c.
3. It will wean from the love of the world.
4. It will transform into the lovely image of Christ. Feel, and think, and speak, and labor as did Christ.
Application
1. Some do remember Christ’s love.
2. Some care nothing for it.
3. We trust there are some desirous of loving him.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS