A Sweet Savor to God
Christ's sacrifice on the cross brought out His moral graces and perfection, ascending up as a sweet savor to God.
Edward Dennet preaches about 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 and fragrant to God. Through His sacrifice, Christ's moral graces and complete devotion were displayed, ascending as a sweet savor to God, ultimately 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 of Judgment
- Christ's Exposure to God's Holiness
- The Result of Christ's Sacrifice
- The sweet spices of Christ's moral graces
- The ascension of Christ's sacrifice as a sweet savor to God
Key Quotes
“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.” — Edward Dennet
“Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again” — Edward Dennet
“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.” — Edward Dennet
Application Points
- We can trust that God's glory is the motivation behind Christ's sacrifice.
- Christ's obedience to the uttermost is a model for our own obedience to God.
- Our moral graces and perfections are displayed to God when we surrender to Him in obedience.