Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) of John Newton (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon XIX (Messiah suffering and wounded for us).
My summary
This week Newton preaches on 'Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.' (Isa 53:4-5)
Newton says the words lead us to consider the cause and the effect of the Redeemer's sufferings.
To consider the cause, Newton reflects on the fact that Christ was:
(i) wounded;
(ii) bruised;
(iii) punished.
To consider the effect, Newton looks at Christ's stripes/scars and the healing they bring.
What grabbed me
I continue to appreciate Newton's exhortations at the end of his sermons: 'But are there any hearts of stone amongst us, who are still unaffected by the love and sufferings of the Son of God ; who are still crucifying him afresh, and living in sin, though they hear and know what it cost him to make an atonement for sin ? Yet now hear — now look —Behold the Lamb of God ! The Lord in mercy open the eyes of your mind. I address you once more. I once more conjure you, by his agony and bloody sweat, by his passion, cross, and death, to seek to him that your souls may live. Can you be proof against these arguments ? Nay, then, should you live and die thus obstinate, you must perish indeed !'
Look to the Lamb and live!
Next week's reading
Read Sermon XX (Sin charged upon the surety).
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment