1431. Sins and the Saviour
Sins and the Saviour
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins" (Mat_1:21).
When a steamer is sinking at sea and both crew and passengers are sending out the "S. O. S." call, how glorious is a "Ship Ahoy!" How great the relief when the rescuing vessel comes into full view! In Christ there is a Saviour, Who was made of a woman, made under the Law, that He might redeem those who were under the curse. What blessed news is this! Lift up your heads oh ye men hastening onward toward eternal death and despair.
1. Let us first of all observe what Christ did in order that He might save us.
"He hath made Him to be sin for us" (2Co_5:21).
"The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa_53:6).
"Who His Own Self bare our sins in His own body on the tree" (1Pe_2:24).
"Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust" (1Pe_3:18).
"When He had by Himself purged our sins" (Heb_1:3).
These verses suffice to tell the story. We sum this work of the Cross up in one word,–substitution. The precious work of Christ, wherein He was made sin for us. Substitution is set forth twelve times in the 53 chapter of Isaiah:
He hath borne our griefs.
He hath carried our sorrows.
He was wounded for our transgressions.
He was bruised for our iniquities.
The chastisement of our peace was upon Him.
By His stripes we are healed.
The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
For the transgression of my people was He stricken.
Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin.
He shall bear their iniquities.
He was numbered with the transgressors.
He bare the sin of many.
The sinner now. can see very plainly how it was that Zechariah prophesied that John would "give knowledge of salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of God" (Luk_1:77). Surely it is in Christ that we have the forgiveness of our sins.
2. But what becomes of all the sins of those who trust Him? Let us follow a few Scriptures along this line.
Our sins are "purged" (see Heb_1:3).
Our sins are "blotted out" (see Isa_43:25; Isa_44:22).
Our sins are "put away" (see Psa_103:12),
Our sins are "behind His back" (see Isa_38:17).
Our sins are "cast into the sea" (see Mic_7:19).
Our sins are "remembered no more" (see Heb_10:17).
What a blessed Saviour! What a full salvation! Sins gone, forever gone. What a precious prospect! White and spotless, forever with the Lord.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR