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THE GREAT SIN OF REJECTING CHRIST
EVERY sin is committed against an infinitely good and gracious God: yet the stoical doctrine of the equality of sins is not therefore true. Guilt may be aggravated or diminished by a variety of circumstances. Hence our Lord denounced peculiar woe against Chorazin and Bethsaida. To the same effect he speaks concerning the Jews in the text.
I. How greatly aggravated the sin of the Jews was in rejecting Christ—
Sin admits of so many degrees of malignity, that one may be considered as no sin in comparison of another; not that any man can be absolutely without sin [Note: 1Jn_1:8.], nor is any man really excusable in the sight of God [Note: Rom_1:19-21.]; but comparatively some may be said to “have no sin [Note: Joh_9:41.].” Thus it was with those of whom our Lord spake. If he had not come to them, they might have pleaded a want of the necessary means of salvation: but our Lord’s preaching rendered them wholly inexcusable. They could not plead any want of
Instruction—
[Our Lord often spake in parables. This was the means of inflicting judicial blindness on the proud [Note: Luk_8:10.]; but it was well calculated for the instruction of the humble. Besides, he delivered many things in the simplest terms.]
Evidence—
[Our Lord wrought many and stupendous miracles. He performed them by a touch, a word, and even at a distance. His miracles were as benevolent as they were open and undeniable. Those who wished to discredit them, imputed them to the agency of Satan. Our Lord mentions them as aggravating the guilt of those who rejected him [Note: ver. 24.].]
Warning—
[There was no want of fidelity on our Lord’s part. He warned the people in the plainest and most awful manner [Note: Joh_8:21; Joh_8:24.].]
Encouragement—
[Every one that thirsted for his benefits was invited by him [Note: Rev_22:17.]. He offered to give spiritual life to all who would come to him [Note: Joh_7:37-38.]. He promised also to crown them with eternal happiness and glory [Note: Joh_12:26.].]
If they were thus without excuse, it becomes us to consider,
II. How much more inexcusable we are if we reject him—
Christ has come and preached to us by his word and ministers, and many reject him after the example of the unbelieving Jews. Though we be not avowed infidels, we practically reject Christ, when we do not receive him for all the ends and purposes for which he was sent; and if we do so, our guilt is peculiarly aggravated.
We have not any Jewish prejudices to encounter—
[The Jews had received their law from God; they had been accustomed to expect a temporal Messiah, yet they saw a man altogether destitute and despised, and beheld the law of Moses superseded by a new religion. His works indeed should have obviated all these difficulties: but we have not these difficulties to contend with. We profess that the Gospel is from God. We profess that Christ’s kingdom is of a spiritual nature. We profess that his cross is his own glory, and his Church’s hope.]
We see the whole design of God unfolded—
[The Jews had only partial and contracted views: they could not reconcile many seeming contrarieties. The Disciples, even after Christ’s resurrection, were at a loss to account for the occurrences they had seen [Note: Luk_24:21.]. But we behold the counsels of God completed; the various prophecies are all accomplished; the characters and offices of Christ are opened; the great ends of his incarnation and death are effected; the glory of God, as shining in his face, is fully displayed.]
We have witnessed the success of the Gospel—
[Those to whom our Lord spake, saw his ministry despised: the great and learned of their nation rejected him. His followers were only a few, and those of the lowest class: but we have seen the “grain of mustard become a large tree:” the Gospel has spread to the remotest corners of the earth; it has triumphed over the prejudices and passions, the interests and powers, of the world; its influence is yet daily exhibited before our eyes.]
How heinous then must be our guilt if we reject him! Surely our “sin must be of a crimson or a scarlet die.”
Address—
1. Those who make excuses for their neglect of Christ—
[With what foolish and weak excuses do men deceive themselves [Note: We may notice a few: “I have not time.” For what is time given?—“I am not able.” Do you do what you can?—“It is time enough yet.” Shall you certainly live, and have the grace you now slight offered you again?—“I have the majority on my side.” Are you not then in the broad road? and will associates mitigate your pain?—“Professors are hypocrites.” Is that a reason you should not be sincere?—“God is merciful.” To whom? the impenitent?]! Surely God will not be deceived by these. What cloak for your sin will you find when he shall call you to account? Will you plead a want of instruction, evidence, warning, or encouragement? Know that in that day you will be speechless [Note: Mat_22:12.]. Your love of sin and hatred of the light are the true causes of your rejecting Christ [Note: Joh_5:40.], and this will be the ground of a more aggravated condemnation [Note: Joh_3:19.].]
2. Those who desire to attain the saving knowledge of him—
[It is a great mercy to have such a desire formed in the heart; but beware of cloking or extenuating your sin. Remember that awful yet encouraging declaration [Note: Pro_28:13.]—Confess your sin with all its aggravations. There is a virtue in the blood of Jesus to cleanse you from it all [Note: 1Jn_1:7.].]