“For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the
seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like
unto his brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in
things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the
people. For in that He himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to
succour them that are tempted.”—HEB. 2:16–18.
Doctrine—Christ a merciful High Priest.
I. The sovereign mercy of Christ in becoming man.—“For verily He took
not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of
Abraham.” We read of two great rebellions in the history of the
universe—the rebellion of the angels, and the rebellion of man. For
infinitely wise and gracious purposes God planned and permitted both
of these, that out of evil He might bring forth good. The first took place
in heaven itself. Pride was the sin by which the angels fell, and therefore
it is called “the condemnation of the devil.” “They kept not their first
estate, but left their own habitation.” “God spared them not, but cast
them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be
reserved unto judgment.” The next fall took place upon earth. Satan
tempted, and man fell,—believed the devil rather than God, and so
came under the curse: “Thou shalt surely die.” Both of these families
came under the same frown—under the same condemnation; both
were condemned to the same “everlasting fire.” But the glorious Son of
God resolved, from all eternity, to die for sinners. Now, for which of
the two shall He die? Perhaps the angels in heaven would long that He
should die for their once brother angels. The angelic nature was higher
than that of man. Men had fallen deeper into sin than the rebel angels.
Will He not die for angels? Now, here is the answer: “Verily He took
not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of
Abraham.” Here is sovereign mercy passing by one family and coming
to another. Let us wonder and adore the sovereign mercy of Jesus.
(1.) Do not be surprised if Jesus passes many by. The Lord Jesus
has been riding through our country in a remarkable manner, seated on
his white horse, and wearing many crowns. He has sent out many
arrows and pierced many hearts in this place, and brought many to his
feet; but has He not passed many by? Are there not many given up to
346
their own hearts’ lust, and walking in their own counsel? Be not
surprised. This is the very way He did when He came to this earth; He
passed the gate of hell. Although his bosom was full of love and grace,
although “God is love,” He felt it not inconsistent to pass fallen angels
by, and to come and die for men. And so, though Jesus is love still, yet
He can save some, and leave others to be hardened. “Many widows
were in Israel in the time of Elijah the prophet; but unto none of them
was Elijah sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Zidon, unto a woman that
was a widow.” And many lepers were in Israel at the time of Elisha the
prophet, and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
(2.) If Christ has visited your soul, give Him all the glory. “Not unto
us, Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.” The only reason
why you are saved is the sovereign compassion of Jesus. It is not that
you are better than others, that you were less wicked, of better
dispositions, more attentive to your Bible. Many who have been left
have been much more blameless in their life. It is not that you have sat
under a peculiar ministry. God has made the same ministry a means of
hardening multitudes. It is the free grace of God. Love God for ever
and ever, because He chose you of his own free will. Adore Jesus, that
He passed by millions, and died for you. Adore the Holy Ghost, that
He came out of free sovereign mercy and awakened you. It will be
matter of praise through eternity.
(3.) If Christ is now visiting your soul, do not trifle with Him. Some
persons, when Christ begins to knock at the door of their heart, put
Him off from time to time. They trifle with their convictions. They say,
I am too young yet, let me taste a little more pleasure of the world:
youth is the time for mirth; another time I will open the door. Some
say, I am too busy; I have to provide for my family; when I have a more
convenient season I will call for Thee. Some say, I am strong and
healthy; I hope I have many years to live; when sickness comes, then I
will open the door. Consider that Christ may not come again. He is
knocking now: let Him in. Another day He may pass by your door. You
cannot command convictions of sin to come when you like. Christ is
entirely sovereign in saving souls. No doubt, many of you have had
your last knock from Christ. Many of you that were once concerned are
not so now; and you cannot bring it back again. There is no doubt a
time in every man’s life, when, if he opens the door, he will be saved; if
he does not, he will perish. Probably this may be that time to many of
you. Christ may be giving last knocks to some to-day.
seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like
unto his brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in
things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the
people. For in that He himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to
succour them that are tempted.”—HEB. 2:16–18.
Doctrine—Christ a merciful High Priest.
I. The sovereign mercy of Christ in becoming man.—“For verily He took
not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of
Abraham.” We read of two great rebellions in the history of the
universe—the rebellion of the angels, and the rebellion of man. For
infinitely wise and gracious purposes God planned and permitted both
of these, that out of evil He might bring forth good. The first took place
in heaven itself. Pride was the sin by which the angels fell, and therefore
it is called “the condemnation of the devil.” “They kept not their first
estate, but left their own habitation.” “God spared them not, but cast
them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be
reserved unto judgment.” The next fall took place upon earth. Satan
tempted, and man fell,—believed the devil rather than God, and so
came under the curse: “Thou shalt surely die.” Both of these families
came under the same frown—under the same condemnation; both
were condemned to the same “everlasting fire.” But the glorious Son of
God resolved, from all eternity, to die for sinners. Now, for which of
the two shall He die? Perhaps the angels in heaven would long that He
should die for their once brother angels. The angelic nature was higher
than that of man. Men had fallen deeper into sin than the rebel angels.
Will He not die for angels? Now, here is the answer: “Verily He took
not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of
Abraham.” Here is sovereign mercy passing by one family and coming
to another. Let us wonder and adore the sovereign mercy of Jesus.
(1.) Do not be surprised if Jesus passes many by. The Lord Jesus
has been riding through our country in a remarkable manner, seated on
his white horse, and wearing many crowns. He has sent out many
arrows and pierced many hearts in this place, and brought many to his
feet; but has He not passed many by? Are there not many given up to
346
their own hearts’ lust, and walking in their own counsel? Be not
surprised. This is the very way He did when He came to this earth; He
passed the gate of hell. Although his bosom was full of love and grace,
although “God is love,” He felt it not inconsistent to pass fallen angels
by, and to come and die for men. And so, though Jesus is love still, yet
He can save some, and leave others to be hardened. “Many widows
were in Israel in the time of Elijah the prophet; but unto none of them
was Elijah sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Zidon, unto a woman that
was a widow.” And many lepers were in Israel at the time of Elisha the
prophet, and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.
(2.) If Christ has visited your soul, give Him all the glory. “Not unto
us, Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory.” The only reason
why you are saved is the sovereign compassion of Jesus. It is not that
you are better than others, that you were less wicked, of better
dispositions, more attentive to your Bible. Many who have been left
have been much more blameless in their life. It is not that you have sat
under a peculiar ministry. God has made the same ministry a means of
hardening multitudes. It is the free grace of God. Love God for ever
and ever, because He chose you of his own free will. Adore Jesus, that
He passed by millions, and died for you. Adore the Holy Ghost, that
He came out of free sovereign mercy and awakened you. It will be
matter of praise through eternity.
(3.) If Christ is now visiting your soul, do not trifle with Him. Some
persons, when Christ begins to knock at the door of their heart, put
Him off from time to time. They trifle with their convictions. They say,
I am too young yet, let me taste a little more pleasure of the world:
youth is the time for mirth; another time I will open the door. Some
say, I am too busy; I have to provide for my family; when I have a more
convenient season I will call for Thee. Some say, I am strong and
healthy; I hope I have many years to live; when sickness comes, then I
will open the door. Consider that Christ may not come again. He is
knocking now: let Him in. Another day He may pass by your door. You
cannot command convictions of sin to come when you like. Christ is
entirely sovereign in saving souls. No doubt, many of you have had
your last knock from Christ. Many of you that were once concerned are
not so now; and you cannot bring it back again. There is no doubt a
time in every man’s life, when, if he opens the door, he will be saved; if
he does not, he will perish. Probably this may be that time to many of
you. Christ may be giving last knocks to some to-day.
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