“Christ Jesus . . . being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Calvary alone can tell us how “God so loved the world”, and how far Christ Jesus came into the world.
13. No Reputation Didst Thou Make
No reputation didst Thou make
To save us from our sin,
When Thou, Lord Jesus, didst forsake
Thy throne, our flesh and blood to take:
No room was in the inn.
2 No beauty in Thee did we meet
As Thou on earth didst tread,
Through want and pain, in cold and heat,
No leisure so much as to eat—
No place to lay Thy head!
3 Our Guest unwelcome, gave we Thee
No water, kiss or oil?
In darkness of Gethsemane,
Throughout Thy prayers of agony,
No man cared for Thy soul!
4 Thy judges found no fault in Thee,
Who cam’st our souls to win:
Betrayed, deserted and denied,
For us condemned and crucified,
In Thee there is no sin!
5 No greater love hath any man
Than this which Thou hast shown:
No man can pluck us from Thy hand.
In no wise wilt Thou cast out him,
Who trusts in Thee alone!
6 Our sins no more retained, forgiven
Thy Blood hath cleansed and laved:
None other name from under heaven
To us, to any, has been given
Whereby we must be saved!
7 No man save Thee alone we see,
Jesus, our Lord, our God!
None to the Father, but by Thee,
The Life, Way, Truth that sets us free,
Can come, save through Thy Blood!
8.6.8.8.6.
Preparatory Reading: Old Testament: Genesis 24; New Testament: Matthew 13 Psalm: 13
1 Timothy 1:15–16
15This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Christ Jesus came into the world: Will I not pause, think, reflect, weep over this staggering work, this strange work? “He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not.” “The princes of this world crucified the Lord of glory.” “Ye denied the Just One, and slew the Prince of life” (John 1:10; 1 Cor 2:8; Acts 3:14–15). He could go no further than He went at Calvary to come into the world—He probed its darkest pit of condemnation, He descended into the hell it deserved, and took upon Himself the eternal curse of God upon it.
And why? To save sinners. “He gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father.” “God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Gal 1:4; 6:14). Never was such truth spoken in jest as the mockery of the scribes, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.”
What more could He do, what more must He do, how much more must He yet suffer of my self-will, ignorance, folly and sin upon sin after sin, till I love Him as He loved me and gave Himself for me? When will the saying come to pass, that is written, “He shall see the travail of His soul, and be satisfied?”
Sinners of whom I am chief: Paul has confessed to this in writing Holy Scripture; he has spoken, moved by the Holy Ghost, and the things he writes are indeed the commandments of the Lord. The Scripture cannot be broken, so these sayings must be faithful and true. Like a man fleeing his shadow in sunlight all day, did Paul hasten through a lifetime’s zealous service, aware of the shadows of his past. While he sought forget the things behind and reach out for the things before, to press toward the prize of God’s high calling in Christ Jesus, he never lost the true humility of a pardoned sinner: “least of all the apostles” “less than least of all the saints,” “chief of sinners.” (1:15; 1 Cor 15:9; Eph 3:8). But though Paul be chief of sinners, and the Bible tells us so, yet am I a sinner, whose measure of sin cannot be far behind, who must love much because I am forgiven much. Let me then rejoice in the comfort which the Apostle’s admission brings—Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting. Grace reigns! Grace, greater than all my sin!
14. O the Depths of All the Riches
1 O the depths of all the riches
Men and angels ne’er can sound,
Both of wisdom and of knowledge
In the God of glory found!
How unsearchable His judgments,
And His ways past finding out!”
Now, O Zion, bring the tidings,
Lift thy voice with strength, and shout!
2 “Who would dare the Lord give counsel?
Who has known Jehovah’s mind?
God to none can be a Debtor,
Recompense from Him to find!
Of Him, through Him, to Him ever
Shall be, are and were all things!
Glory to Him be forever—
Amen!” All creation sings.
3 O ye heavens and earth, adore Him,
Men and angels, now extol
One true God, the Lord Jehovah,
Blest
