1 John 2:1-6 My little children, these things write I to you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father… I. THE PROPITIATION OF CHRIST WAS DIVINE IN ITS PROVISION AND APPOINTMENT. The full meaning of the expression may be thus brought out:" Jesus Christ the righteous is the propitiator who has made propitiation for our sins. For Christ is at once the selected victim, the sacrifice offered, the sacrificing priest, the altar on which the sacrifice was offered, and the propitiation made for sin. II. VICARIOUS IS ITS NATURE. He is the propitiator who has made propitiation "for our sins." "He is Jesus Christ the Righteous" — not the innocent merely. III. PROPITIATORY IN ITS OFFERING. The office of a propitiator, like that of a mediator, of which it is the foundation or groundwork, is to produce a state of reconciliation between parties at variance, by removing the cause of offence, propitiating the offended, and thus opening a way for a real and lasting reconciliation. By the constitution of His person He was well qualified to act as "daysman betwixt us, and to lay His hand upon us both." IV. UNIVERSAL IS EXTENT. 1. Suited to the whole world. "The whole world lieth in wickedness," says John, and therefore the whole world needs a propitiation for its wickedness. And the propitiation made is suited to its needs. For it was made in the nature which had sinned in this world. 2. Sufficient for the whole world. The proof of this is not far to seek. John himself furnishes it when he says, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth from all sin." The blood shed was indeed human, but the person of His Son was Divine. It is an adequate "ransom for all," a sufficient propitiation for the sins of the whole world. No other and no greater sacrifice would have been required to secure the salvation of all men. 3. Available for the whole world. V. UNCHANGING IN ITS EFFICACY. It has lost none of its value and its virtue by the lapse of time, the course of ages, the change of customs, the vicissitudes of nations, or by the ignorance and neglect, the arts, the discoveries, the inventions, and the advancement of mankind. This subject shows to us — 1. The manifestation of God's love to the world. 2. The foundation of the world's hope toward God. 3. The cause of the believer's life. Christ died that we might live — live by Him and for Him. (George Robson.) Parallel Verses KJV: My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: |
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