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A Crucified and Risen Saviour, August 31
I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will
break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and
lofty mountain. On the mountain heights ... I will plant it; it will produce
branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar.
Ezekiel 17:22, 23
, NIV.
It was in order that the heavenly universe might see the conditions of the covenant
of redemption that Christ bore the penalty in behalf of the human race. The throne
of Justice must be eternally and forever made secure.... By the sacrifice Christ was
about to make, all doubts would be forever settled, and the human race would be
saved if they would return to their allegiance. Christ alone could restore honor to
God’s government. The cross of Calvary would be looked upon by the unfallen
worlds, by the heavenly universe, by Satanic agencies, by the fallen race, and every
mouth would be stopped. In making His infinite sacrifice Christ would exalt and
honor the law. He would make known the exalted character of God’s government,
which could not in any way be changed to meet man in his sinful condition.
Who is able to describe the last scenes of Christ’s life on earth, His trial in
the judgment hall, His crucifixion? Who witnessed these scenes? The heavenly
universe, God the Father, Satan and his angels. Wonderful events took place in
the betrayal of Christ. At His mock trial, His accusers found nothing by which He
could be proved guilty. Three times Pilate declared, “I find no fault in Him at all.”
Nevertheless he ordered Him to be scourged, and then delivered Him up to suffer
the most cruel death that could be devised....
The terrible scenes of the crucifixion revealed what humanity will do when
under Satan’s control. They revealed what the outcome would be if Satan was to
control the world. Those who witnessed these scenes never lost the impressions
made upon their minds. Many were converted, and told others of the awful scene
they beheld. Many who heard the report of Christ’s death were converted, and
commenced searching the Scriptures. Thus were fulfilled the words, “So shall he
sprinkle many nations.”
“Thus saith the Lord God; I will also take of the highest branch of the high cedar,
and will set it; I will crop off from the top of his young twigs a tender one, and will
plant it upon an high mountain and eminent: in the mountain of the height of Israel
will I plant it: and it shall ... be a goodly cedar; and under it shall dwell all fowl of
every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.”
Christ was this Branch, the highest branch of the highest cedar. He was the plant
of the Lord’s setting (
The Signs of the Times, July 12, 1899
).
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