Christ Became Poor for Sinners
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was ricn. yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poroff might he rich.” — 2 Cor. viii. 9,
In these words, there is brought before you the aiTOuring grace of the Lord Jesus Christ In the broken bread and poured out wine you will this day see the same thing brought before your eyes. Before your eyes Jesus Chxist is this day to be evidently set forth crucified. It is the most awakening sight in all this world. Oh I pray that many secure sinners may this day be brought to look on Him whom Ihey have pierced, mi to mourn. It is {he peace-giying sight in this world. Oh! pray that the Spirit may be poured upon awakened souls, that they look to a crucified Jesus, and be saved. It is the most sight in this world. Oh! pray that all God’s -en may look upon this snracious Sayiour, till they are
The Lord Jesus was rich.
e riches here spoken of are not the riches which he
possesses as Mediator, but the riches which he had
the Father before the world was. He was full of all
;.
He was rich in the love and adoration of all the %res. All holy creatures loved and adored hun. This pwn in Isa. yi.: *’*’ I saw also the Lord sitting upon pne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. e it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; wain he covered hii face, and with twain he covered et, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto er, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; hole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the noyed at the voice of him that cried, and the house Ued with smoke.” John (xii. 41) tells us: “These said Esaias when he saw his glory, and spake of
was from all eternity the will of God that every ire should honour the Son even as they honour the r. The brightest seraphs bowed down before him. ighest angels found their chief joy in always beholdis face. He was their Creator: “By him were all I created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, and inyisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, acipalities, or powers; all things were created by him, )r him.” — Col. i. 16. And, therefore, it was little pr that they poured out their perpetual adorations
him. Now there is great joy in being loved by one feature — it fills the heart with true joy; but every creature loved Jesus TTith their whole heart and th. This, then, was part of his riches — part of his B joy. Me was rich in the love of the Father. This is
in Proy. viii. 22, 30:” The Lord possessed me in the ling of his way, before his works of old. Then I was 1, as one brought up with him: and I was daily li&
162 SEBMovxxir.
delight, rejoicing always before him.” To be loved by (jod is the truest of bH riches. The lore of the creatures is bat poor love — may soon die; but the love of €U)d is undying unchanging love. The creatures may lore us, and yet not be able to help us; but God’s lore is a satisfying portion.
But none ever enjoyed the lore of Ood as Jesus did* True, God’s love to ike holy angels is infinite; and he says, in John xvii. 26, that he lores beHevers with the same love with which he loves Christ — “That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them;” still there is this infinite difference between believers and Christ — that they can contain but a few drops of the love of God; they aie but vessels — they cannot open their mouth wide enou But Jesus could contain all the infinite ocean of the love of God. In the Son there was an object worthy of the infinite love of the Father; and if the Fadier’s love was infinite, so the bosom of the Son was infinite also. From all eteftitf there was the flowing of infinite love from the bosom of the Father into the bosom of the Son: ^’ The Father lovedi the Son” — ‘Rejoicing always before him.” This was the greatest riches of the Lord Jesus. This was the infinite treasure of his soul. If a man has the love of God, he can well want all other things. If a man want food and raiment-*if he be like Lazarus at the rich man’s gate, full of sores — still, if he be lying in the love of God, he is truly rich. Much more the well-beloved Son of God, the only begotten of the Fathei was rich in the full outpouring of the Father’s love firom all eternity.
3. He was rich in power and glory. He was the Creator of all worlds: ^’ Without him was not anything made that was made.” He was the Preserver of all worlds: By him all things consist,” and hang together. All worlds, therefore, were his domain — he was Lord of alL He could say: ‘^ Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were huiqp7, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the Ailness thereof.” — Ps. 1. 10-12. All lands sang aloud to him: the sea roared his praise — the cedars bowed before him in lowly adoration. Nay, he could say: ^’ All things that the Father hath are mine” (John xvi. 15); and he could speak to his Father of the glory which he had with him ,before the worid was. Whatever of power, glory, riches, blessednesSy ibe
Fatter had, dwelt with equal iiilness in the Son; for he was m the form of God, and thought it no robbery to be equal with Crod. This was the riches of the Lord Jesus.
Oh, brethren! canyon trust your salvation to such an one? Tou hear it was he that undertook to be the surety of sinners, and died for them. Can you trust your soul in the kands of such an one. Ah! surely if so rich and glorious a leing undertake for us, he will not fail nor be discouraged, “till he have set judgment in the earth; and the isles all wait £oT his law.”
IL Christ became poor.
He was in the form of God, and thought it no robbery to be equal with God; but he made himself of no reputation (iiM»«»0vy), and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fitthion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient vnto death, even the death of the cross. He became poor [ in all those things wherein he had been rich.
1. At his birth. (1.) He laid aside the adoration of the
I creatures. He left the hallelujahs of the heavenly world
i far the manger at Bethlehem. No angel bowed before the
= infimt Saviour; no seraph veiled his face and feet before him.
The world knew him not. A few shepherds from the fields
’ of Bethlehem came and kneeled to him, and the wise men
= aw and adored the infant King; but the most despised
’ him. His mother wrapped him in swaddling clothes and
laid him in a manger, for there was no room for them in
the inn: “He became poor.” (2.) He left the love of God.
The moment that babe was born, he became the surety of
a guilty world. He was born of a woman, made under the
law. The law took hold of him, even in infancy, as our
smety. From the cradle to the cross he was bearing the
ains of many; and therefore he says: I am afflicted and
ready to die from my youth up; while I suffer thy terrors,
I am distracted.” — Ps. lxxxv. 15. Ah! what a change
was here, from the infinite joy of his Father’s love to the
misery and terror of his Father’s firown: ‘^ He became poor.”
(3.) He left the power and glory that he had. Instead
of wanting nothing, he became a helpless baby, in want of
everything. Instead of saying: If I were hungry, I would
not tell mee,” he needed now the milk of his mother’s
breast. Instead of holding up worlds with his arm, he
seeded now to be supported — to be wrapped in swaddXm
] 64 SERMON XXIT.
clothes, and laid in a manger, watched bj a mother’s tendtf eye: “He was rich, and became poor.”
2. In his life. He that was adored by the myriads of heaven was lightly esteemed. Few believed on him; they called him glutton — wine-bibber — deceirer. Once they sought to cast him over the rocks — often they plotted to kill him. He that before received the full love of God, now ] received his full frown. The cloud became every day darker j over his soul. Many of the hills and valleys of this world re-echoed with his cries and bitter agony. Gethsenmne was watered with his blood. He that had all things as his domain now wanted everything. Certain women ministered to him of their substance. — Luke viii. 3. He had no money to pay the tribute, and a fish of the sea had to bring it t9 him. — Matt. xvii. 27. The creatures of his hand had a warmer bed than he: ‘^ The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head.” — Matt. viii. Every man went to his own home — Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. And again, we are told, as they sailed, Jesus was asleep on a pillow. Another time he sat wearied at the well, andnsd: ^G’vn me to drink.” He that was God over all, blessedr ever, could say, ‘’ I am a worm, and no man: “He became poor.”
3. In his death most of all he became poor, ( 1. ) Once his ear was filled with the holy songs of angek,
hymning their piure praises: “Holy, holy, holy;” now his ears are filled with the cry of his creatures: “Not this man, but Barabbas” —” Crucify him, crucify him.** Once eveiy
face was veiled before him; now rulers deride him soldieis
mock him — thieves rail on him. They shoot out the lip — they wag the head — they give him vinegar to drink. “He became poor” indeed. (2.) Once God loved him without a cloud between; now not a ray of divine love fell upon his soul; but instead of it, a stream of infinite wrath. He Aat once said: “The Lord possessed me: I was daily his delight,” now cried: ‘’ Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani.” Ah! this was poverty indeed. (3.) Once he gave being |to uanumbered worlds — gave life to all — he was the Prince of life; but now he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost He lay down in the grave among worms. He became a worm, and no man.
Ah! this is what is set before you in bread and wine to-day: The Son of God became poor. He takes simple bread, 6BBM0N XXIY. 165
x to show you it is a poor man that is set before you — broken bead, to show that he is a crucified Sayiour. Ah! sinners, vliilst you gaze on these simple elements, remember the itferings of him who was Lord of glory, and who died for ifamers. “This do in remembrance of me.”
in. For what end? “For your sakes — that ye
through his poverty might be rich.”
The pertons for whom: “For your sakes.** Corinth was one of the most wicked cities that ever was on the face ’ of the world. It lay between two seas; so that luxury ’ isme flovmig in from the east and from the west. These G(»inthians had been saved from the deepest abominations, you learn from 1 Cor. vi. 1 1: “Such were some of you;” md yet it was for the sake of such that the Lord of glory became poor — “for your sakes.” In like manner, Paul, writing to the Romans, says (v. 6): “When we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Ah! see what names are here given to those for whom Christ died: *’ Without strength “— unable to believe, or to think aright thought; ^’^ungodly — living as if there were no God; sinners” — breaking God’s holy law; “enemies” — hating and opposing a holy God of love.
Oh, brethren! this is good news for the most wicked of men. Are there some of you who feel that you are like a beast before [jod — or all over sin, like a devil? Some of you have lived n the abominations of Corinth. Some of you are like the. Komans — without strength — ungodly — sinners — enemies; jet for your sakes Christ became poor. He left glory for louls as vile as you. He left the songs of angels, the love of lis Father, and the glories of heaven, for just such wretches you and me. He died for the ungodly. Do not be afraid, inners, to lay hold upon him. It was for your sakes he some. He will not, he cannot cast you out.
Oh, sinners! you are poor indeed; but he will make you ick. All the riches he left he is ready to raise you to. He will make you rich in the love of God — rich in the peace that passeth all understanding, if you truly lay hold on him. rhe wrath of God will pass away from you, and he will love on freely. The love wherewith God loves Christ shall be yn. you. He will make you rich in holiness. He will fill on with all the fulness of God. He will make you rich in stonity. You will behold his glory — you will enter into [i]g joy — you will sit with him on his throne.
IV. The grace in all this: “Ye know the grace.** There is much to be seen in this amazing work. There is deep wisdom — “the wisdom of God — the hidden wisdoniy which God ordained before the world unto our gloiy;” there is power — the power of God unto salvation; butmosfc of all, grace is to be seen in it from beginning to end: Te know the grace of the Lord Jesus.”
When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, when he came t9 Peter, Peter said: ‘* Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” Thre things amazed him: — 1. The glorious bemg that kndt down before him: “Thou.” 2. The lowly action he was going to perform: “Dost thou wash?” 3. The vile wretch whose feet were to be washed: “iUy feet” He was amazed at the grace of the Lord Jesus. So in this amazing work you may see a threefold grace: — 1. The glorious being that undertook for sinners: “He who was rich.” 2. The depth to which he stooped: “He became poor.” 3. The wretdies whose souls were to be washed: “For your sakes.” Ahf well may you be amazed this day, and cry out: “Dost thoa wash my soul?”
Lastly, The sin and danger of not knowing, 1. / would speak to those who do not know the grace the Lord Jesus, I fear the most of you are still ignorant of Christ: “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness imto him.” Ah, F brethren! think this day who it is you are lightly esteeming. Did you ever see the son of a king lay by his robes, and his glory, and become a poor man, and die in misery — and all this for nothing? Do you think the Lord Jesus left his Father s love, and the adoration of angelsy and became a worm, and died under wrath, and all for no purpose? Is there no wrath lying upon you? Have you no need of Christ? Ah! why, then, do you not flee unto him?
“UDgrateful sinners! whence this scorn
Of God’s lon-snff’ring grace?
And whence this madness, that insults
Th’ Almighty to his face?”
Ah! remember, as long as you come not to Christ, you are despising the grace of the Lord Jesus, and sinning against the love of God. What though you make a show of coming to Christ? What though you pretend it by coming to his table, and doing honour to the poor bread and wine? The poor Papist adores the bread, while he denies the Sayiour; and so you may waste your honour on the bread aod wine, while you are all the time rejecting and despising the grace of the Lord Jesus.
2. / tPOtUd welcome poor sinners to Jesus Christ. He became poor for such as you. He did not come for those “who are rich and increased in goods, and stand in need of nodung.” Do not say you are too vile for such a Saviour. If you have all the pollutions of a Corinthian — all the widced heart of a Roman — he came on purpose for such as TOO. You are the very souls he came to seek and save. Sis salvation is all of grace. Free favour to those that deserve hell! Do not deny the grace of the Lord Jesus. It is false humility that keeps any back from Christ; for, there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek, for flie same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money come: let him buy wine and milk without money and without price.”
3. To you that know Jesus and his grace. Oh! study him more. You will spend eternity in beholding his glory — spend time in beholding his grace. That you may Imow your own vileness, that you may abhor yourself, that you may Bee what a poor hell-deserving creature you are, oh! study the grace of the Lord Jesus. That your peace may be like A river, full, deep, and lasting, learn more of the grace of the Lord Jesus. Come and declare with joy at the Lord s table ill that he has done for your soul. Oh! learn more. Few blow much of Christ. You have infinitely more to learn !han you have ever known.
St Peter% April 18, 1841. — (Action Sennon.)