A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, a wonderful Savior to me. Oh has there ever been a friend like Jesus? I can think of none. Though I am a wretched sinner, yet He interposed His precious blood for my pardon. He who is the Sovereign of this universe, the Holy One of Israel, became a curse so that I might have life and life abundantly. Have you ever allowed your mind to meditate on this sublime truth, that the Creator would shed His blood for the creation? Does it not fill your soul with wonder? Do you not ask yourself, what manner of love is this that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for your soul?
Oh how the devil tries so hard to keep our minds from dreading the Via Dolorosa. How he works overtime to keep us from contemplating the selfless life of our Lord, especially the closing scenes. He knows the power that lies in the mere contemplation of such infinite love. He knows that if we would but behold the cross of Christ that the love manifested there for sinful men will break these sin hardened hearts and cast all our pride to the ground.
Have you ever wondered why Paul writes, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ?” If you read down a bit further he tells us that it is through the cross “the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Galatians 5:14). Paul tells the Corinthians “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2). One might wonder why Paul was so emphatic about the cross. Friends, it’s because he knew. He knew that there is power in beholding the Lamb of God. For it is only in beholding the Lamb on that cross that our sins will be taken away. It is only by beholding Him that we will be changed (John 1:29).
In that marvelous allegory, “Pilgrim’s Progress,” John Bunyan writes that the cross was so situated, that the pilgrim could view it anywhere along the journey. For the pilgrim that will reach the Celestial City must keep ever in view the cross. Christ tells us that “ and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32). That cross has drawing power. As we view that cross a mysterious love is awakened in our hearts for He who hangs there. The power that we need to free us from all those habits that for years have held us captive is released. We begin to understand the terrible cost of sin. Then we can finally experience Zechariah 12:10 “and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for his first born.” I long for this experience. I long for repentance so deep that I will never return to the vomit of sin. And that experience comes at the cross. Friends, I’m asking God to help me to spend more time there, and I pray that you will as well.
Finally, I leave you with this quotation: “The cross of Calvary challenges, and will finally vanquish, every earthly and hellish power. In the cross all influence centers, and from it all influences goes forth. It is the great center of attraction, for on it Christ gave up His life for the human race. This sacrifice was offered for the purpose of restoring man to his original perfection; yea, more. It was offered to give him an entire transformation of character, making him more than a conqueror. Those who in the strength of Christ overcome the great enemy of God and man, will occupy a position in the heavenly courts above the angels who have never fallen.” (SD 242).
October 7th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
The idea of going back to vomit in a literal sense IS repulsive, and can bring one near heaving if the imagination is strong. But when sin is compared to it, it just doesn’t have the same effect. Why? I wonder sometimes. Maybe its because we because sin isn’t vomit to us, but more like our favorite food. The closer I get to God, its not so much that the sin becomes vomit to me, it that I know its vomit to God. Remember He said he spews out the lukewarm, that to me is throwing up, all that is unfit in Him. Its crazy, but I want to remain in good graces with God, because He knows what’s best, even if I think I know what I like, want or need.