It is Good Friday and focusing on the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross for my sins this morning, I found this writing by Johann Gerhard, a 17th century pastor and theologian, from “Sacred Meditation VII, Concerning the fruit of the Lord’s passion.”
He has been judged in order to free us from the judgment of God.
He has been prosecuted as a criminal so that we criminals may be pardoned.
He has been scourged by godless hands to take away from us the scourge of the devil.
He called out in pain in order to save us from eternal wailing.
He poured out tears so that he could wipe away our tears.
He has died for us to live.
He felt the pains of hell through and through, so that we might never feel them.
He was humiliated in order to bring forth the medicine for our pride; was crowned with thorns, in order to obtain for us the heavenly crown.
He has suffered at the hands of all so that he might furnish salvation for all.
He was darkened in death so that we would live in the light of heavenly glory.
He heard disgust and contempt so that we might hear the angelic jubilation in heaven.
Do not despair then, O faithful soul.
You have offended the infinite Good with your sins,
but an infinite price has been paid.
You ought to be judged for your sins,
but the Son of God has already been judged for the sins of the whole world, which He received in Himself.
Your sins ought to be punished,
but God already punished them in His Son. The wounds from
your sins are great, but more precious is the balm of the blood of Christ. Moses pronounces a curse against you (Deuteronomy 27:26), because
you have not kept everything that has been written in the book of the law,
but Christ has been made a curse for you (Galatians 3:13). The handwriting has been written against
you in the court of heaven,
but Christ’s blood has deleted that (Colossians 2:14).
Therefore, your passion, O loving Christ, is my ultimate refuge.
