Today’s post in our Gospel Jump-Start Series reminds us that Christ exhausted the wrath of God on our behalf. Read the quotes below and be reminded of the great love the Father and the Son have for us. In his book, The Gospel: How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ, Ray Ortlund shares a reflection from John Flavel that richly illustrates the love of both the the Father and the Son (John 3:16, Gal. 2:20). Ortlund wrote:
John Flavel, a Puritan theologian, imaginatively re-creates the conversation between God the Father and the Son in eternity past before time began:
Father: My Son, here is a company of poor miserable souls that have utterly undone themselves and now lie open to my justice. Justice demands satisfaction for them, or will satisfy itself in the eternal ruin of them. What shall be done for these souls?
Son: O my Father, such is my love to and pity for them that rather than they shall perish eternally, I will be responsible for them as their Guarantee. Bring all your bills, that there may be no after-reckonings with them. At my hand you will require it. I would rather choose to suffer your wrath than they suffer it. Upon me, my Father, upon me be all their debt.
Father: But my Son, if you undertake for them, you must pay the last penny. Expect no discounts. If I spare them, I will not spare you.
Son: I am willing, Father. Let it be so. Charge it all to me. I am able to pay their debt. And though it will undo me, though it will impoverish all my riches and empty all my accounts, yet I am content to undertake it. (pg. 42)
Jerry Brides wrote:
I believe a word that forcefully captures the essence of Jesus’ work of propitiation is the word exhausted. Jesus exhausted the wrath of God. It was not merely deflected and prevented from reaching us; it was exhausted. Jesus bore the full, unmitigated brunt of it. God’s wrath against sin was unleashed in all its fury on His beloved Son. He held nothing back. (pg. 54)
On the cross, Christ exhausted the wrath we alone incurred and extends to us the blessing He alone deserved.
Death and the curse were in our cup:
O Christ, ’twas full for Thee;
But Thou hast drained the last dark drop,
’Tis empty now for me.
That bitter cup, love drank it up;
Now blessing’s draught for me. –Anne Cousin
Written by Matt Baker