Romans 5:20-21 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:… I. JESUS. Hoshea is, in Hebrew, a "Saviour." To this word the Jews added the first syllable of the name Jehovah, making the whole Kenosha, or Joshua, or, in its Greek form, Jesus; and by this addition the name came to mean a Saviour appointed, given, sent by God. 1. Now what does Jesus save us from? (1) From hell. Now "hell" is chiefly the condition of those who have come to hate God. It is not merely a place — though, no doubt, all bad people meet together at last in one particular locality; but it is more especially a condition of heart and mind. "But," you say, "who is it that hates God?" Let us consider. Christ is the representative and exact likeness of God. Now, when He was on earth, He went about doing good. But for all that did men, as a rule, like Him? No! and in hating Christ, they hated God. It is possible then to come into that most terrible condition of hating God. But the Lord Jesus Christ saves us from such a fate, for He wins our hearts for God, and makes us love what God loves, and hate what God hates. (2) From sin. Picture to yourselves a boy who has broken one of his father's commands, and is expecting to be severely punished. Suppose the boy to say, "All that I care about is to escape the punishment. I don't mind grieving my father nor setting a bad example." You would not have a very high opinion of such a boy. A good son would be grieved at having done wrong, and would desire to be kept from doing wrong again. And so it is with the Christian. He is chiefly anxious about being kept from sinning. (3) From death. Though death triumphs for a time, Jesus at last wrests the prey from his grasp, by raising the dead out of their graves. 2. Consider what it cost Jesus to become the Saviour. I have heard of a soldier who saw that an arrow was being aimed at the heart of his friend, and that his friend could be saved only if he threw himself in the way. Well, he did throw himself in the way; he shielded his friend — but it was at the cost of his own life. It was necessary that Jesus, in order to become the Saviour of His people, should interpose Himself between them and their danger; should receive the shaft in His own breast; and die that they might live. 3. Jesus is "able to save to the uttermost." You may have all the will to help your neighbour, and yet not have the power. A man once caught another who was falling over a precipice, and held him; but he was not strong enough to hold him long, so at last he was obliged to let go, and the other was dashed to pieces on the rocks below. He had the will; he had not the power. But Christ has both. He is "mighty to save"; and you may be sure that He can save you, if only you will let Him. II. CHRIST. "Jesus" refers to the person, "Christ" to the office. Christ is the Greek word for "Messiah," and means anointed. In the old days prophets, priests, and kings were anointed for the purpose of showing that they were set apart for a particular office, and that God would give them fitness for it. 1. Now, Jesus is our Prophet. A prophet is one who not merely foretells future things, but one who forth tells, i.e., explains to man what God and the will of God are. Jesus does this partly by His word, partly by Himself. Jesus is a perfect likeness of His Father. Have you ever stamped a seal upon hot wax? You know how the seal and the impression exactly correspond. So Jesus and God exactly correspond. 2. Priest. In Jewish times the High Priest stood in the place of the whole people. Now these priests were the types or shadows of the great High Priest who was coming; and when Jesus had accomplished His work and entered into heaven, there ever to make intercession for us, their office was done away with — they were no longer wanted. So now there is no one to stand between us and God, but Christ Himself. Nor do we want anyone else. He is sufficient. 3. King, not only of His people, but also of the whole world. And Jesus obtained His kingdom by His obedience unto death, even the death of the Cross. He had to carry the Cross before He received the crown. Time is given to people to obey, but if they persist in refusing to accept His authority, a terrible punishment is in store for them (Psalm 2). III. OUR LORD. The world says, "We will not have this man to reign over us": but Christians say, "We are glad and thankful to obey His rule." Now, why do Christians say this? Because — 1. He is what He is. Men are proud to serve a great monarch; the more so if he is a good man. But what must it be to serve the King of kings and Lord of lords? and not only to serve Him, but to be admitted to His friendship? 2. He has done so much for them, and they love Him. Some years ago a poor black woman was put up for auction at a slave market. She was very much afraid of being given over into the hands of some cruel master, when a good man who was passing by, and who hated slavery with all his heart, happened to hear her sad story, and purchased her himself. But as soon as he had purchased her he set her free. The woman had not expected this, and she was transported with joy, but she could not be persuaded to leave her benefactor. For she said, "He redeemed me! he redeemed me!" And after she had served him faithfully for many years, still, when she was spoken to about her loving service, she could only give as the explanation of it, "He redeemed me! he redeemed me!" Because Christ redeemed us with His blood, we are delighted to be allowed to enter His service, and work for Him. "We love Him, because He first loved us." 3. The service of Christ is true happiness. I never yet found a truly happy man who was not a real Christian. Gay, jovial, laughing, joking people, who were not Christians, I have met with in abundance; but I have lived long enough to know that an uneasy and restless heart may lie under a bright face. (G. Calthrop, M. A.). Parallel Verses KJV: Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: |
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