3. The wisdom of God is also manifested in the works and sufferings of the Redeemer:
(1.) In His works.
They were all faultless, perfect. Even Pilate found no fault in Him. His works were without a blot or stain. They were many. They exemplified every perfection of God and every virtue of the creature. They set a pattern for every duty; they gave a measure for every attainment; they magnified every precept of the law. His obedience to law wrought out a spotless robe of righteousness for every believer. This is the linen white and clean, called the righteousness of saints.
No robe of personal innocence is so glorious. Angels in heaven are not so beautifully adorned. And it is all by the merit of Christ. Thus boasting is excluded, God honored, the dignity of the heavenly state unimpaired, and the sinner abundantly saved. Thus is God’s wisdom displayed in Christ’s works.
(2.) So also we see God’s wisdom in Christ’s sufferings do.
He was subject to the penalty of the law. He suffered as one held guilty in law, not for Himself, but for us whose law-place He took. His sufferings began with His birth and lasted till He expired on Calvary. They were not solely from man, but chiefly from God; not merely bodily, but mainly mental; not confined to His last hours, but running through His whole life; not only present, but anticipated for long years (Lk 12:50).
Law is stern and uncompliant. It also ought to be severe and awful, or it will arouse nothing but contempt. By the suffering of death, Christ satisfied the demands of the law, and gave to the troubled conscience ground of hope. Now no justification is more perfect than that of sinners who believe in Jesus. Though without the shedding of blood there is no remission, yet by the shedding of Christ’s blood there is no lack of forgiveness. He who poured out His soul unto death is exalted a Prince and Saviour, to grant both repentance and remission of sins. Thus is God’s wisdom displayed in Christ’s sufferings. The law is magnified; the sinner is saved.
1Another edited extract from Plumer’s The Rock of Our Salvation; last month’s main point was: “God’s wisdom shines out in redemption, as His plan reconciles all His attributes”.