The Price He Paid by C. M. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 20, 1912

The Price He Paid

By C. M. S.

It is very often asked, “Why does God permit these things that are filling the earth with sorrow?”

If men could but realize that God is with us in every sorrow that has ever been felt in the experiences of the human race, has actually suffered with those who suffered, they would be less prone to accuse God of responsibility therefor. Those things that have caused you sorrow for a few short years have caused him deeper sorrow for thousands of years. “In all their affliction he was afflicted,” says the sacred writer. “I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth,” says Jehovah concerning his own attitude toward men. He is “long-suffering to you ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” The declaration that he is “long-suffering” covers it all. It means that through all the ages of sin and sorrow and death, God has suffered with his people. The Word also indicates that in his patience in that suffering he is teaching us the grace of patience in the sorrows and afflictions that come to us.

While the goodness and mercy and patience of God are manifest in that fact, it is doubly manifest in this other fact that, at the same time, he was willingly carrying our griefs and sorrows as well as his own. “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.” And while he who was to bear our sins upon the cross was already carrying our afflictions, and bearing their marks upon him, the very men for whom he was suffering looked down upon him as the smitten object of God’s displeasure. Not only that, but while he was suffering for them, they refused to turn upon him a look of sympathy. “As one from whom men hide their face he was despised.”

Under this crushing burden Jesus Christ went up on Calvary’s cross that you and I “should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The wounds he received were the wounds we merited. His bruisings were the price that should have been paid by us—and he paid it. He was chastised that we might have peace. He suffered that our sufferings might cease. His wounds were received that ours might be healed; his death was welcomed by him that our life might be assured to us who believe on his name.

All this has been done for just such people as we are—for us. God counts it sufficient, and will count as his jewels all who will accept the conditions, and place their case in God’s hands on the basis of what God has done for them. Many will do this; for it is written, “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.” He will “justify many.” Their sins may have been written in red; but there is no color that can withstand the washing of the blood that was poured out upon Calvary. They may have been so filled with sin that their character is fitly represented by the color of scarlet. But there is no color that can put a permanent stain upon any soul that will submit to the cleansing of the blood of Jesus Christ.

God declares it sufficient for you and for me. Are we unwilling to take his word for it? He declares that price sufficient to purchase for every one of us eternal life. Ought we not to be willing—yea, glad—to accept eternal life in place of an eternal cessation of being? Do you say, as some are saying, “I will not receive it through the sufferings of an innocent person, but rather through my own purchasing power”? Your own purchasing power was long ago exercised, and you made your purchase; and it was death. Jesus Christ has made a purchase for you; and that is life. Now shall we adhere to our own purchase with all that it involves, and go down into eternal night when we might cast the worse than worthless thing aside, and have in its place the richest gift in the storehouse of God’s treasures? Let us call the price sufficient, as God does, and accept the gift of his measureless love.

C. M. S.