Chapter 52—Christ Our High Priest
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Manuscript 50, 1900
.]
Justice demands that sin be not merely pardoned, but the death
penalty must be executed. God, in the gift of His only-begotten Son,
met both these requirements. By dying in man’s stead, Christ ex-
hausted the penalty and provided a pardon.
Man through sin has been severed from the life of God. His soul
is palsied through the machinations of Satan, the author of sin. Of
himself he is incapable of sensing sin, incapable of appreciating and
appropriating the divine nature. Were it brought within his reach there
is nothing in it that his natural heart would desire it. The bewitching
power of Satan is upon him. All the ingenious subterfuges the devil
can suggest are presented to his mind to prevent every good impulse.
Every faculty and power given him of God has been used as a weapon
against the divine Benefactor. So, although He loves him, God cannot
safely impart to him the gifts and blessings He desires to bestow.
But God will not be defeated by Satan. He sent His Son into the
world, that through His taking the human form and nature, humanity
and divinity combined in Him would elevate man in the scale of moral
value with God.
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There is no other way for man’s salvation. “Without me,” says
Christ, “ye can do nothing” (
John 15:5
). Through Christ, and Christ
alone, the springs of life can vitalize man’s nature, transform his tastes,
and set his affections flowing toward heaven. Through the union of the
divine with the human nature Christ could enlighten the understanding
and infuse His life-giving properties through the soul dead in trespasses
and sins.
When the mind is drawn to the cross of Calvary, Christ by imper-
fect sight is discerned on the shameful cross. Why did He die? In
consequence of sin. What is sin? The transgression of the law. Then
the eyes are open to see the character of sin. The law is broken but
cannot pardon the transgressor. It is our schoolmaster, condemning
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