April 7

The Son of man came.....to give his life a ransom for many. - Matthew 20:28.

THIS Jesus said in allusion to his own death, and it is to remind us of the numerous influences and advantages derived from it. And concerning his death he mentions four things. First, We are to consider him as a ransom. This metaphorical expression is one of the favourite terms employed by the Holy Ghost. There is a reality in it infinitely surpassing the emblem. A ransom is a satisfaction or a compensation for release from bondage. It reminds us of what we were, and of the state in which we were; we were the slaves of sin-led captive by the devil at his will. The lowness and wretchedness of the state of bondage in which we were are inexpressible, inconceivable. He interposed and said, “Deliver them from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom.” What was this ransom? Had we been delivered from our former condition it would have been a deliverance only, not a redemption. Redemption supposes a price. We were “bought with a price.” And what was the price? “Ye were not redeemed,” says Peter, “with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.” This was the ransom- “a price beyond all price.” He was our substitute. He died in our stead, in our place. He bore our sins in his own body on the tree. He, the just, died for us, the unjust. “Surely,” says the Church, “he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.”

Secondly, He tells us that his death was intentional; not an eventual thing, but foreknown; not a consequence, but a design. He assumed our nature, not to reign in it, but to suffer, and on purpose to suffer. This was his grand aim and business, to “give his life a ransom for many.”

Thirdly, He reminds us also that his death was voluntary. He gave himself a ransom for many. Although it is sometimes said that he was sent of the Father, yet he was at his own disposal. Therefore the Scriptures sometimes ascribe his death to his love, “He loved us and gave himself for us;” and sometimes it is ascribed to his power, “No man taketh my life from me, I lay it down myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” This commission he voluntarily accomplished, it was not forced upon him, and therefore he said, “That the world may know I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.” Therefore he said, “Lo, I come, I delight to do thy will, O my God, thy law is within my heart. I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished.”

Fourthly, It regards the esteem he has for his people. Sometimes they are described by their character, here by their number-“many.” He does not tell us how many; and he has almost forbidden us to inquire concerning it, for when a man one day asked him, “Lord, there are few that be saved?” without noticing the poor trifler at all, he said to them that were with him, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able.” As much as if he had said, Instead of indulging yourselves in various inquiries concerning the number of the saved, do you be concerned to be one of them. But we are allowed to say very many. So many, to do justice to the promise made to the Messiah, that” all kings shall fall down before him, and all nations serve him.” So many, that when gathered out of every country, and nation, and tongue, and people, they will be found a multitude that no man can number. So many, as that the Messiah admits it an ample compensation for all the sufferings he endured; for “he shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied.”