THE VALUE OF CHRIST'S DEATH
J.N.Darby
If we examine the value of the death of Christ, what do we find attached to it in Scripture?
Do I need redemption? We have redemption through His blood, an eternal redemption; for "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption". (Heb 9: 12).
Do I need forgiveness? That redemption which I have through His blood is the forgive ness of sins, yea, "without shedding of blood is no remission". (Heb 9: 22; Eph 1: 7).
Do I need peace? He has made peace through the blood of His cross. (Col 1: 20).
Do I need reconciliation with God? Though we were sinners, yet now hath He reconciled us in the body of His flesh through death, to present us holy and unblameable and irreprovable in God's sight. When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son. (Col 1: 22; Rom 5: 10).
Do I feel the need of propitiation? Christ is set forth as a propitiation through faith in His blood. The need of justification? I am justified by His blood. (Rom 3: 25; 5: 9).
Would I have a part with Christ? He must die; for "except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die it bringeth forth much fruit". (John 12: 24). How have we boldness to enter into the holiest? By the blood of Jesus; by that new and living way which He has consecrated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh; for till that was rent the Holy Ghost signified by it that the way into the holiest was not yet made manifest. (Heb 10: 29; 9: 8).
In the power of what was the Great Shepherd of the sheep brought again from the dead? Through the blood of the everlasting covenant. (Heb 13: 20).
How was the curse of the law taken away from those who were under it? By Christ's being made a curse for them; as it is written, "Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree". (Gal 3: 13).
How are we washed from our sins? He has loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood; for His blood cleanseth from all sin. (Rev 1: 5; 1 John 1: 7).
All was love, no doubt; but do I want to learn it? "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but · that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins". (1 John 4: 10). Do I desire my conscience purged? It is through the blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God. (Heb 9: 14).
Having thus presented the value of Christ's death from Scripture, we leave it to its own force without comment.
From The Simple Testimony
July 1891