Whom would we suppose to be the
objects of his wrath and vengeance? By Charles Simeon Zechariah chapter
13 verse 7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man
who is my companion. Strike the shepherd. when God
called to His sword to awake and smite, whom would we suppose
to be the objects of His wrath and vengeance? Would we not conclude,
of course, that we ourselves were to be the monuments of His
wrath? We, towards whom He had so long
exercised forbearance and who had so obstinately persisted
in our rebellion and sins? Yes, I think God would say, Sword,
go and smite my incorrigible enemies. Sword, go and smite
these rebels to hell for their sins. But, behold, the Father
directs His Sword to execute vengeance upon His beloved Son
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, as the substitutionary sacrifice
for our sins. In John chapter 18, verse 39,
Pilate asked, Do you want me to release the king of the Jews?
They shouted back, No, not him. Give us Barabbas. We do not so
much wonder that the Jews should cry out, Spare not this man,
but Barabbas. But that Jehovah himself should
give direction to his sword of vengeance, spare not my dear
son, but guilty sinners, is truly astonishing. Yet this, in effect,
he did say, spare the vilest sinners of the human race, but
smite my son, do not spare him, in order that I may spare them.
A wondrous love. Who can estimate it? What tongue
can utter it? What imagination can conceive
it? Yes, God so loved wicked sinners as to give his beloved
son to die in their place so that they might have eternal
life. The heights and depths of his love are unsearchable
either by men or angels. Romans 5, verses 6, 8, and 10. When we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly. While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. When we were God's enemies, we
were reconciled to him through the death of his son. Christ
loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5, verse
25. the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave
himself for our sins. Galatians 1, verse 3-4 I live
by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for
me. Galatians 2, verse 20 Christ
loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering
and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5, verse 2 Christ loved the church and gave
himself up for her. Ephesians chapter 5 verse 25. Jesus Christ gave himself for
us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people
that are his very own. Titus chapter 2 verses 13 and
14. What astonishing love is this!