God Glorified in Christ’s Death
Human beings are inclined to see themselves the centre of everything, therefore it is no wonder if when surveying the death of Christ we view it from our own standpoint, instead of seeing the glory of God in it.
The death of Christ was an act between the Father and the Son, and, while it was for man’s good, we must never forget that it was also for God’s glory. Moreover, the great aim of God in Christ was not only to reconcile the world to Himself, but also through it to glorify Himself.
Through Christ’s obedience and death God magnified His LAW (Isa. 42:21). The Lord Jesus kept the law of God in a world of sin, which made Him as conspicuous as a fire burning in mid ocean. Even in the midst of all the suffering He never deviated but was obedient to the very last letter and thereby honoured God’s law more than it was dishonoured by Adam’s fall.
God magnified His LOVE by sending his only beloved Son to save rebellious men; and when men treated Him so wickedly He did not withdraw Him from this scene but gave Him up to death, because He had set His heart on fallen man to redeem him to Himself. It is love unchangeable, incomprehensible, and unfathomable.
God magnified His JUSTICE inasmuch as when the Lord Jesus made Himself responsible for our sin, God called upon the sword to smite Him (Zec. 13.7). Justice and judgment are the foundation of God’s throne (Ps. 89.14) not love and mercy, as many would have us believe. Mercy follows justice but does not exist without it.
He magnified His HOLINESS. It has been said that God manifested His love to the sinner at Calvary, and one might add that He showed His hatred of sin more at the death of His Son than He ever will in eternal judgment.
He magnified His TRUTH by fulfilling all His promises and prophecies concerning Christ, so that not one failed but all are fulfilled as touching that great event; and He will yet magnify His truth by fulfilling the whole of His promises to His Son, but at present the Son is waiting till the right time comes for His enemies to be put down (Ps. 110.1).
He magnified His WISDOM by proving to the universe His ability to deal with the question of sin in justice and yet in love and mercy. Apparently Michael the archangel did not fully understand how this was to be (Jude 9), but today it is clearly demonstrated and thereby God is magnified.
He magnified His POWER by proving to our wondering eyes that His Son could endure all the punishment that was measured out to Him as the result of sin. How great was His sustaining power!
He magnified His GRACE by condescending to touch poor fallen man, and to allow His Holy Son to have the iniquity of us all laid upon Him (Isa. 53.6).
He magnifies His MERCY by receiving sinners on the ground of that work. Even in the intensity of His suffering the Lord said to a criminal, who was being put to death for crime, “Today shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.” “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:33).
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By reason of the shock absorbers on modern automobiles, the rough places on the road are not so severe. Is our life journey rough? Do our experiences jolt us? Christ is our Peace, the One who bears our burdens with us. The One who intercedes for us. What a wonderful Christ is ours, Who comes to us, Who abides in us and with us, Who absorbs the shocks and woes of life and gives us peace!
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Christian graces produced by the Holy Spirit, win the admiration and respect of friend and foe alike.