The greatness of God in redemption.
"O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy Name in all the earth!" This may be applied to redemption—
I. IN CHOOSING EARTH AS THE SCENE OF REDEMPTION. There are millions of other worlds, which we may reasonably believe have their intelligent inhabitants. Out of these the earth was chosen for the highest honours.
II. IN MAKING MAN THE SUBJECT OF REDEMPTION. We cannot tell if sin extends to other worlds, but we know that other beings besides man have fallen from their first estate. The angels sinned, but God was pleased to pass them by, and to show his exceeding kindness and love to man in Christ Jesus (Hebrews 2:16).
III. IN EMPLOYING CHRIST AS THE AUTHOR OF REDEMPTION. It was not an angel, but his eternal Son, whom God sent to be our Saviour (Galatians 4:4, Galatians 4:5). And when he came, it was not in the fulness of his glory, but in fashion as a man, born of a woman, made under the Law, obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:6-10).
IV. IN PROCLAIMING BY THE GOSPEL THE COMPLETENESS OF REDEMPTION. All men as sinners needed salvation, and the salvation of Christ is suitable and sufficient for all. He is the Propitiation for the sins of the whole world, and if the whole world should bow in penitence before God, their sins would that moment be all put away.
V. IN REVEALING THE ETERNAL GLORIES OF REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS SPIRIT Already great things have been done. But we look for greater (Revelation 21:1-7).—W.F