I’m currently reading Christ Crucified by Stephen Charnock (1628-1680). Over and over again, I’ve had to pause and take in the powerful and meaningful message. At times, I’m brought to tears, or deep gratitude for my Savior’s sacrifice, and then as often brought to great joy in my salvation. Here’s only one sample. It’s not easy reading but I’ve found it well worth taking my time to sort through it.
Although what I’ve included is one paragraph in the book, I’m breaking it up so that it’s easier to read. Be touched by how much God loves you by sending His precious Son to die for you and suffer such agony on your behalf.
“Neither the infamy of the cross, nor the sharpness of the punishment, nor the present and foreseen ingratitude of his enemies, could deter him from desiring and effecting man’s salvation.
“He went to it not only as a duty, but an honor, and was content for a while to be the sport of devils, that he might be the spring of salvation to men.
“And when he was in the furnace of divine wrath, and deserted by his Father, he utters a sensible, but not a murmuring, expostulation;
“he received our sins upon his shoulders, to confer his divine benefits upon our hearts;
“he endured the contradiction of sinners against himself; he despised the shame, submitted to the cross;
“his own worldly reputation was of no value with him, so he might be a sacrifice for the redemption of forlorn man; and in the whole scene, manifested a patience greater than their cruelty.
“From this paschal lamb typifying the Redeemer, the Jews might have learned not to expect a Messiah wading through the world in blood and slaughter, sheathing his sword in the bowels of his enemies, and flourishing with temporal victories and prosperity;
“but one meek, humble, and lowly, suiting the temper of the lamb, which represented him in the passover.”
Which statement is most meaningful to you?
(Vintage Puritan) Kindle 19{f65765d44da0bdf0a41fa9961eb42045133d946bf3cc534fe1ab1c919c81bf77} Location 487. GLH Publishing (April 25, 2017)
Stephen Charnock was a Puritan divine, and an English Puritan Presbyterian clergyman born at the St Katherine Cree parish of London.