Blessed be his name! There was no cause of death in him. Neither original nor actual sin had defiled him, and therefore death had no claim upon him. No one could have taken his life justly, for he had done no man wrong. No one could even have laid hands on him by force unless he had been pleased to yield himself to die. But lo, one sins and another suffers. Justice was offended by us, but found its satisfaction in him.

Rivers of tears could not wash away our sin. Mountains of offerings could not pay the debt. Seas of bulls' blood, hills of frankincense—none of it would have sufficed for the removal of sin. But Jesus was cut off for us, and the cause of wrath was cut off at once, for sin was put away forever.

Herein is wisdom! Substitution—the sure and speedy way of atonement—was devised! Herein is condescension! The Messiah, the Prince, wore a crown of thorns and died upon the cross! Herein is love! The Redeemer laid down his life for his enemies!

But it is not enough to admire this spectacle of the innocent bleeding for the guilty. We must make sure of our interest therein. The special object of Messiah's death was the salvation of his church. Have you a part and a lot among those for whom he gave his life a ransom? Did the Lord Jesus stand as your representative? Are you healed by his stripes?

It will be a terrible thing indeed if we should come short of a portion in his sacrifice—it were better for us that we had never been born. Solemn as the question is, it is a joyful circumstance that it is one which may be answered clearly and without mistake. To all who believe on him, the Lord Jesus is a present Savior, and upon them all the blood of reconciliation has been sprinkled.

Let all who trust in the merit of Messiah's death be joyful at every remembrance of him, and let their holy gratitude lead them to the fullest consecration to his cause.