II. The deep interest we have in it —
On the very face of the question, " Whether our Saviour be God, or only a created being?" it cannot fail of appearing a subject of extreme importance. Know, then, that Christ is truly God, as well as man: and on this truth depends,
1. The efficacy of all that he did and suffered for
us on earth —
[Had he been only a creature, he could only have done what was his duty to do ; and therefore he could have merited nothing at the hands of God : or, at all events, could have merited only for himself. But being God, his whole under- taking was gratuitous ; there was no obligation lying upon him, to do any thing, or suffer any thing, for us. What he did and suffered, therefore, may well be put to our account; more especially since it was so concerted between him and his Father, when he undertook to redeem our ruined race. His sufferings, though only for a season, may well be regarded as equivalent to the eternal sufferings of man ; and his obedience to the law be justly considered as if all mankind had obeyed it. On both the one and the other his Deity stamps an infinite value ; so that, " he having been made sin for us, we may well be made the righteousness of God in him2."]
2. The efficacy of all that he is yet doing for us in
heaven —
[There is our adorable Saviour seated at the right hand of God ; and all judgment is committed to him, that he may complete for his people the work which he began on earth. He is appointed " Head over all things to the Church*." But supposing him to be a mere creature, how can he attend to all at once, and supply the necessities of all, in every quarter of the universe, at the same instant of time ? But there is no room for such a question as that, seeing he is the omnipresent, omniscient, Almighty God. " Our help is, indeed, laid upon One that is mighty b," upon One that is Almighty, " in whom dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily"." We need not fear, therefore, however great our necessities ; but be fully assured, that " he is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by himd."]
Behold then, brethren,
1. How inconceivably great is the condescension of our God !
* 2 Cor. v. 21. a Eph. i. 22. " Ps. lxxxix. 19.
c Col. ii. 9. d Heb. vii. 25.