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"They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.
For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever" (Psa. 49: 6-8).
(To be continued).
#3.
(contd.).
"The precious blood of Christ."
pp. 79, 80
The redemption of their soul is indeed so precious that the multitude of riches could
never pay the price. Nothing less than the precious blood of Christ will avail.
Let us now consider the comparison which the apostle makes:--
"But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot,
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world" (I Pet. 1: 19, 20).
Gold, said Peter, was something that "perisheth" (I Pet. 1: 7); gold and silver, said
Peter, are "corruptible things" (I Pet. 1: 18), but the precious blood of Christ is as of a
lamb "without blemish and without spot". He whose blood alone can redeem, was
Himself, "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners" (Heb. 7: 26). He whose
offering for sin accomplished our justification before God, was Himself without sin:--
"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor. 5: 21).
The reference to the "lamb" points back to the passover, and it is a glorious truth,
basic to our redemption, that "Christ our passover hath been sacrificed for us"
(I Cor. 5: 7).
The lamb of God was attested "spotless" by a number of disinterested witnesses.
Pilate said: "I find no fault in this man" (Luke 23: 4, 14) and "I have found no cause of
death in Him" (Luke 23: 22). Herod, too, bore witness that "nothing worthy of death is
done in Him" (Luke 23: 15). The dying thief bore his testimony, saying: "This man
hath done nothing amiss" (Luke 23: 41). These, however, are negative in character.
God's testimony is positive: "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased"
(Matt. 3: 17).
A servant of God, having battled with the elements after speaking at a meeting in the
country, found his murmurings turned to praise, when he entered the railway station and
saw the text: "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matt. 9: 2). All
resentful feelings vanished, the discomfort of the storm was forgotten in the
contemplation of that great fact.