Such were intended to be the effects of our Redeemer's death : " He suffered, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God :" and to God he will bring us ; so that " of those whom the Father hath given him, not one shall be lost."]
Improvement —
Let us take occasion from this prophecy,
1. To admire the love of God the Father —
[When God called to his sword to " awake and smite," whom should we suppose to be the objects of his vengeance? Should we not conclude of course that we were to be the monu- ments of his wrath ? we, towards whom he had so long exer- cised forbearance, and who had so obstinately persisted in our rebellion ? Yes, methinks God would say, " Sword, go and smite those my incorrigible enemies ; go and smite them to their inmost soul." But, behold, he sends his Son, " his fellow," and directs the sword to execute vengeance upon him, as our substitute ! We wonder not so much that the Jews should cry out, "Spare not this man, but Barabbas:" but that Jehovah should give his direction to his sword, " Spare not my dear Son, my fellow, but Barabbas," is truly wonder- ful. Yet this, in effect, he did say : ' Spare the vilest of the human race, even though they be robbers and murderers ; but " smite my Son, my fellow," and spare not him, in order that thou mayest spare them.'1 O wondrous love ! Who can esti- mate it ? What tongue can utter it ? What imagination can conceive it ? Well is it said, " God so loved the world, as to give his only-begotten Son :" but the heights and depths of that love are unsearchable, either by men or angels.]
2. To follow the steps of the good Shepherd —
[Jesus, Jehovah's fellow, is our shepherd ; and we, as sheep of his pasture, are under his protection. Let us then, however weak in ourselves, despise the threats of all our enemies. Let us never for a moment indulge the fear of man, or entertain a thought of forsaking him who has laid down his life for us. Let us consider our obligations to him : let us con- sider them, till we feel our whole souls inflamed with love to him ; and, under the constraining influence of his love, let us "follow him without the camp, bearing his reproach," and " rejoicing, if we are counted worthy to suffer shame, or even death itself, for his sake." Let us " know in whom we have believed ;" and say with David, " The Lord is my shepherd ; I shall not want ;" nor "will I fear what man can do unto me."]
3. To seek the effectual influence of his grace —
[What shall we not be able to do, if " he turn his hand upon us for good?" Could Paul say, "I can do all things
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through Christ, who strengthened! me?" so then may ice say. He was by nature no stronger than the weakest amongst us : and the weakest of us, by grace, may be as strong as he : " Christ's strength shall be perfected in our weakness," as it was in his. Let our eyes then be unto Jesus ; that, as he has been " the author, so also he may be the finisher, of our faith." Let our expectations from him be enlarged : and, whatever our difficulties be, let us remember, that " our Redeemer is mighty," is almighty ; and that he has pledged himself to us, that " none shall ever pluck us out of his hands."]