Christ’s death is the life of his teaching. See here: if Christ’s preaching had been the essential point, or if his example had been the vital point, he could have brought forth fruit and multiplied Christians by his preaching and by his example. But he declares that, except he shall die, he shall not bring forth fruit.
The paradox is this – that his glory was to come to him through shame… [that] the greatest fullness of our Lord’s glory arises out of his emptying himself, and becoming obedient to death, even death of the cross. It is his highest reputation that he made himself of no reputation. His crown derives new luster from his cross… We must never forget this, and if ever we are tempted to merge the crucified Saviour in the coming King we should feel rebuked by the fact that thus we should rob our Lord of his highest honour.
--Charles Sturgeon, Farm Sermons
Image source: Andrea Mantegna, The Dead Christ (ca. 1480), https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/great-works/great-works-dead-christ-andrea-mantegna-c-1480-8160310.html
No comments:
Post a Comment