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THE SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST TO SAVE
HOW joyful must these tidings be, to whomsoever they may have respect! Suppose them to refer to an oppressed nation; the raising up to them a mighty deliverer must be a rich, inestimable blessing: and such were David and Solomon, who were raised up to govern Israel, and to put all their enemies under their feet. But a greater than David or Solomon is here. The words spoken by God to Samuel did certainly, in their primary sense, relate to David [Note: 1Sa_16:1.]; as those spoken afterwards to Nathan did to Solomon [Note: 2Sa_7:12-16.]. But their ultimate reference was to Christ [Note: Compare 2Sa_7:14. with Heb_1:5.], who is the true David [Note: Eze_34:23-24 and Hos_3:5.], and the Son of David [Note: Mat_22:42.]. On him was laid all the help that the Israel of God required; and God the Father declared beforehand, to his holy prophets, the sufficiency of Christ to discharge the office committed to him.
Two things are here obviously presented to us for our consideration:
I. The office committed unto Christ—
What this was, may be known from the necessities of fallen man; because it was to supply them that he was sent into the world. It was then,
1. To make reconciliation for man—
[This was a work which no man could accomplish for himself; a work which all the angels in heaven were unequal to perform. Satisfaction must be made for sin; made too in the nature that had sinned. The curse due to sin must be borne, even the wrath of Almighty God. Who could afford us this help? who could sustain this weight? It would crush in an instant the highest archangel. None could endure it, but God’s co-equal Son. He cheerfully undertaking to bear it for us, the Father made him our substitute; that, divine justice being satisfied, and the law magnified by his obedience unto death, mercy might be extended unto us, and reconciliation be made between God and his offending creatures.]
2. To effect their complete salvation—
[It was not enough to die for them; they were wandering afar off, and they must be searched out; they were in rebellion, and must be subdued: when brought home to their Father’s house, they are weak, and must be upheld; tempted, and must be strengthened; beset with enemies, and must be protected: they must never be left to themselves one moment: they must have every thing done for them, and in them: the whole care of preserving them, from first to last, must be devolved on him who undertakes for them: they must be “carried in the arms,” “dandled on the knees,” fed at the breast, and be watched over exactly like new-born infants. Nothing less than this will suffice for them. Though there be millions of them spread over the face of the whole globe, they must all be attended to as much as if there were only one. What a work was this to undertake! Yet was this “the help which God laid upon” his dear Son.]
But weighty as this office is, we have no reason to doubt,
II. His sufficiency to discharge it—
To be convinced of this, we need only to consider,
1. His essential perfections—
[He is said to be “mighty.” But the angels are also called mighty; yet are they not therefore able to execute such an office as this. But Jesus is almighty: he is expressly called “The mighty God [Note: Isa_9:6.],” even “God over all blessed for ever [Note: Rom_9:5.].” In him therefore are all the perfections of the Deity. He is omnipresent, to behold the states of men; omniscient, to discern the things that will be most expedient for their relief; and omnipotent, to effect whatever shall be most conducive to their good. Difficulties can be no difficulties with him. He who spake the universe into existence, can be at no loss to accomplish, every where, and at the same instant, whatsoever the necessities of his creatures may require.]
2. His Mediatorial endowments—
[As Mediator, he has received his qualifications from God the Father: and those qualifications are abundantly sufficient for the work assigned him. The Spirit has been given to him, not by measure, as to others, but without measure [Note: Joh_3:34.]: “In him, even in his human nature, dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily [Note: Col_2:9.].” Hence “on him may be hanged every vessel, even all the glory of his Father’s house [Note: Isa_22:22-24.].”
But, not to mention the infinite merit of his blood, and the all-prevailing efficacy of his intercession (“through which he is able to save men to the uttermost”), he has, as man, qualifications which he could not have as God. He has, from his own experience of temptation, a tender sympathy with his tempted people, and a peculiar fitness and readiness to afford them all needful succour [Note: Heb_2:18.].]
Address—
1. Those who feel not their need of Christ—
[You cannot be persuaded that you are in a guilty, helpless, and undone state. But wherefore did God lay help upon One that was so mighty? Did he exert himself thus without a cause? If not, the greatness of the remedy should shew you the extent and imminence of your danger. Be persuaded then to put away your high thoughts of yourselves. Beg of God that you may feel in what a helpless and hopeless state you are without Christ: and never imagine that your repentance is at all genuine, till your sense of your misery corresponds, in some measure at least, with the provision which God has made for your relief.]
2. Those who are discouraged on account of their extreme weakness and sinfulness—
[That you should be humbled on this account is right enough: but why should you fear? Do you suppose, that when God laid help for you upon his dear Son, he was not aware how much would be necessary for your salvation? or, has he been disappointed in his Son, finding him, after all, unequal to the task assigned him? Be ashamed of your unbelieving fears. Come not to Christ, saying, “Lord, if thou canst, or if thou wilt;” but cast your burthen wholly upon him, and see whether he be not able and willing to sustain you. He himself says to you, “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thy help [Note: Hos_13:9.].” This is your warrant to trust in him. “Trust in him therefore with all your heart, and he will bring to pass” whatsoever he sees to be needful for you. “Cast all your care upon him;” and you “shall be saved in him with an everlasting salvation.”]