Would He Not Stab It With a Thousand Wounds?
We should hate sin for its role in Christ's death and sufferings, and strive to be revenged on it.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the abhorrence of sin by reflecting on the immense suffering it caused Christ. He argues that if sin led to the crucifixion of our Savior, it should evoke a deep indignation within us, compelling us to reject and fight against it. Brooks uses vivid imagery, comparing sin to a snake that has killed a loved one, suggesting that we should not embrace what has caused such pain. He challenges Christians to consider how they can tolerate the very sins that betrayed and condemned Christ. Ultimately, he calls for a passionate response against sin, recognizing it as the true enemy that brought about Christ's suffering.
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Sin never appears so odious, as when we behold it in the
red glass of Christ's sufferings. Can we look upon sin as
the occasion of all Christ's sufferings; can we look upon
sin as that which made Christ a curse, and which made
Him forsaken of His Father, and which made Him live
such a miserable life, and which brought Him to die such
a shameful, painful, and cruel death--and our hearts not
rise against it?
Shall our sins be grievous unto Christ--and shall they
not be odious unto us? Shall He die for our sins--and
shall not we die to our sins? Did not He suffer for sin
--that we might cease from sin?
If one would kill our father--would we hug and embrace
him? Surely not! We would be revenged on him. Sin has
killed our Savior--and shall we not be revenged on it?
Can a man look upon that snake which has stung his
dearly-loved wife to death--and preserve it alive, warm
it at the fire, and hug it in his bosom? Would he not
stab it with a thousand wounds? It is sin which has
stung our dear Jesus to death, which has crucified our
Lord, clouded His glory, and shed His precious blood!
Oh, how should this stir up our indignation against sin!
Ah, how can a Christian make much of those sins, which
have killed his dearest Lord! how can he cherish those sins
which betrayed Christ, and bound Christ, and condemned
Christ, and scourged Christ, and which violently nailed Him
to the cross, and there murdered Him!
It was neither Judas, nor Pilate, nor the Jews, nor the
soldiers--which could have done our Lord Jesus the
least hurt--had not our sins, like so many butchers
and hangmen, come in to their assistance!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Odious Nature of Sin
- A. Sin appears more heinous in the light of Christ's sufferings
- B. Christ's sufferings were a direct result of our sins
- II. The Injustice of Sin
- A. Our sins are grievous to Christ, yet not odious to us
- B. We should be revenged on sin for killing our Savior
- III. The Indignation Against Sin
- A. We should hate sin for its role in Christ's death
- B. Sin is responsible for Christ's crucifixion and suffering
Key Quotes
“Sin never appears so odious, as when we behold it in the red glass of Christ's sufferings.” — Thomas Brooks
“Would he not stab it with a thousand wounds?” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should strive to hate sin and be revenged on it for killing our Savior.
- We should not make much of our sins, as they have killed our dearest Lord and betrayed Christ.
- Our sins are responsible for Christ's death, and we should take responsibility for our actions.