A Sweet Savor to God
Christ's sacrifice on the cross brought out the sweet spices of His moral graces, making Him more precious in God's eyes.
E. Dennett preaches on how the sweet incense placed on the fire before the Lord on the day of atonement symbolizes the graces of Christ being brought out through the holy fire. Christ's exposure to God's judgment on the cross revealed His obedience and perfection, making Him even more precious in God's eyes. Through His sacrifice, Christ's moral graces and complete devotion ascended as a sweet savor to God, glorifying Him.
Text
The sweet incense was put on the fire before the Lord (Leviticus 16:12,13) on the day of atonement. Thus the graces of Christ were brought out through the action of the holy fire. His exposure to the judgment of God's holiness (fire) upon the cross, when there made sin, did but bring out all that was most precious and fragrant to God. He was never more precious in God's eyes, His perfections were never more fully displayed, than when He proved His obedience to the uttermost in the very place of sin and death.
Hence He could say, "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again" (John 10:17).
It was for God's glory that Christ passed through the fire of judgment, and in doing so all the "sweet spices" of His moral graces and the perfection of His entire devotedness were brought out, and ascended up as a sweet savor to God.
Sermon Outline
- The Day of Atonement and the Fire
- Christ's Exposure to God's Judgment
- The Sweet Savor to God
- Christ's sacrifice for God's glory
- The sweet spices of Christ's moral graces
Key Quotes
“Thus the graces of Christ were brought out through the action of the holy fire.” — E. Dennett
“He was never more precious in God's eyes, His perfections were never more fully displayed, than when He proved His obedience to the uttermost in the very place of sin and death.” — E. Dennett
Application Points
- We should strive to live a life of obedience to God, just like Christ did on the cross.
- Our sacrifices and struggles can bring out the sweet spices of our moral graces, making us more precious in God's eyes.
- We should remember that Christ's sacrifice was for God's glory, and our lives should reflect that same purpose.