Two relationships made Jesus’ atonement successful. He was human, and therefore on our side. He was Divine, and therefore on God’s side.
A righteous decree had gone forth, that because of their sins, a race must die. Jesus said, “That shall not be. I am God. I belong to God. I belong to the race. I will take these two relationships into the negotiation. I will redeem mankind, though it cost my life.” “O, stop!” cried all the hosts of heaven.
“Your blood will redden the door-steps of the world. You will only be sacrificed.” “No,” says Christ, “I will not stop. I know all the torment; I know all the bleeding; I know the death that is to come; but I willingly throw myself across the sharp edges of this undertaking. Stand back, men, angels, and devils, I come to the rescue.
God must be reconciled. The decree must be revoked. Here I drop into the tortures and massacre. If I perish, I perish.”
Wonder of wonders! Jesus, with the tears of human sorrow in one hand, and the key of eternal domination in the other, appears to put away our sin by the sacrifice of Himself.—TALMAGE.
