The sacrifice of Himself!
Read More“But now He has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, to remove sin bythe sacrifice of Himself!” Hebrews 9:26
These rich words still amaze me.
That word “sin” feels weighty to a sensible sinner.
But oh! that word “Himself!” seems a million times more weighty!
“Himself!” the mighty God, the precious Man Christ Jesus!
“Himself!” by whom all things were created, and for whom they exist!
“Himself!” whose smile is heaven, whose frown is hell!
“Himself!” whom all angels worship, and all devils obey!
“Himself!” the sacrifice!
Another such sacrifice could not be found! Sins as deep as hell and as high as heaven cannot overmatch it–for it is infinite! Sins of scarlet and crimson dye cannot resist its power–for it makes them whiter than snow!
See as as much as you can of the vileness of self, and the demerit of sin–yet “Himself” a bleeding sacrifice, exceeds it all! Here is the sweet-smelling savor, both to the Lawgiver and the lawbreaker. The Lawgiver is honored–the lawbreaker is saved!
See how He stands most lovingly, as with open arms, saying to every laboring, weary, heavy-laden sinner, “Come! Come unto Me, and I will give you rest! I still receive sinners, to the uttermost I save them, and never am weary of healing their backslidings, forgiving all their iniquities, and multiplying pardons–as they multiply transgressions against Me. I blot all out with My blood, and love them freely and forever!”
Sinner, will not this suffice? It will, if the Spirit applies it–and opens in a little measure, Himself and His sacrifice–in contrast to yourself and your sins. It will take eternity to know it fully; but that your heart may find rest and refreshing in it now, is my affectionate prayer.
“But now He has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, to remove sin by the sacrifice of Himself!”
(Ruth Bryan, “The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ!”)
I am a Slave in Christ – St. Patrick of Ireland
Read MoreCould I have come to Ireland without thought of God, merely in my own interest? Who was it made me come? For here “I am a prisoner of the Spirit” so that I may not see any of my family. Can it be out of the kindness of my heart that I carry out such a labor of mercy on a people who once captured me when they wrecked my father’s house and carried off his servants? For by descent I was a freeman, born of a decurion father; yet I have sold this nobility of mine, I am not ashamed, nor do I regret that it might have meant some advantage to others. In short, I am a slave in Christ to this faraway people for the indescribable glory of “everlasting life which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” – St. Patrick of Ireland
