EXTRACT from the Times of February 20th 1884: “KHARTOUM.
“General Gordon and Colonel Stewart at once opened offices in the palace, giving to everyone with a grievance admittance, and a careful hearing. The government books, recording from time immemorial the outstanding debts of the over-taxed people, were publicly burnt in front of the palace. The kourbashes, whips, and implements for administering the bastinado from government house, were all placed on the blazing pile. The evidence of debts and the emblems of oppression perished together.”
What a striking illustration we have in what was done by General Gordon and Colonel Stewart for the oppressed and well-nigh ruined inhabitants, of this Arabian town, of what Christ has done for every condemned and perishing sinner, who believes upon Him!
Let us see how this is the case.
Free access and careful hearing was given by the representatives of the British Government to all who had any grievance to complain of. But Christ has opened the way into the presence of God for the vilest sinner who trusts in Him, and he can lay the whole burden of sin and sorrow before Him of whom it is said, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.” Nay, More. The apostle, addressing every believer, says, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh, let us draw near,” &c. (Hebrews 10)
Further, as the evidence of the existence of their debts to the Turkish Government (whether truly or falsely charged against them) was destroyed by these benefactors of this unhappy people, so to the poor sinner who.is willing to accept what the Saviour freely offers, He is waiting to give pardon, deliverance, and everlasting life. Every charge that either man, or Satan, or even the holy God Himself can bring against such an one, Christ has met in His own blessed Person. He has borne the punishment, upon His cross, which was due to the transgressor. Thus believing, Hezekiah, looking onward by faith to this wondrous cross, could say, “He has cast all my sins behind His back.”
When the proof of their debts was burnt before their eyes, the wretched inhabitants of Khartoum believed that they should never be called to pay them, and gave lively demonstrations of joy and gratitude to those who had thus befriended them. Thou, poor sinner, who hast trembled under the sense of the holiness of God, and of thy transgressions against His righteous requirements (like Martin Luther in his cell), hear His own precious word: “Having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.” (Colossians 2:13, 1413And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (Colossians 2:13‑14).)
It would, however, be a still better illustration of what Jesus has done for every believing soul if, Poor undone, unpardoned sinner, will you accept instead of destroying the evidence of the debts of the Khartoumese, General Gordon had been commissioned by the British Government to pay all the debts (whatever their amount might be) of every one who was willing to accept the boon. And yet how imperfectly any money payment, however large, represents the price that Jesus has paid for man’s redemption! For “ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Peter 1:18, 1918Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18‑19).)
We have another illustration of the work of Christ in what the British vicegerent did for the people of Khartoum. He threw upon the burning pile which had already consumed the handwriting that was against them, the whips and other instruments of torture of which they had often felt the smart. Here again how the illustration fails to set forth the fullness of the work of Christ, He only could “abolish death” and deliver the sinner from the judgment which he had deserved by bearing the condemnation Himself. Thus the pardoned sinner can say, in the words both of prophet and apostle, “By His stripes we were healed;” and again can triumphantly ask, “Who is he that condemneth,” and more triumphantly answer, “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:3434Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34).)
“O thou destroyer see the blood
That makes the guilty clean:
No prey of thine the soul on which
This token once is seen.”
Poor undone, unpardoned sinner, will you accept the blessed Lamb of God as your Saviour? If you continue to refuse to come to Him for pardon and salvation, eternity will be spent in lamenting your unspeakable folly. “Because I called, and ye refused; I stretched out my hand, and no man regarded. I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.” (Proverbs 1)
J. H. S.