The whole life of Jesus was the great contradiction of the way of Adam! Adam was nothing, but sought to be as God. Jesus was everything, consciously equal with God, yet made Himself nothing and emptied Himself. The person He assumed, the form of a servant; the station He filled on earth, a carpenter's son; His life, His ways, His testimony-all was the full contradiction of him whose departure from God in pride has fashioned the course of "this present evil world." He was ever hiding, ever emptying Himself. He could have commanded legions of angels (as Psalm 91:1111For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (Psalm 91:11) entitled Him; Matt. 26:5353Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53)), but He was the silent captive of His wicked persecutors. If He taught, and the people wondered, He would say, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me." John 7:1616Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (John 7:16). If He worked miracles, He would say, "The Son can do nothing of Himself." John 5:1919Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. (John 5:19).
What worship, what fragrant incense before God, was this life of Jesus! What rest and solace to the heart, what satisfaction to the conscience it is to know that God has been so honored, so refreshed, in this world of ours. What savor the death and blood of Jesus renders to the life of Jesus! His blood is the sinner's plea, His only title, but all God's delight in Him aids in enforcing the claim of that blood on the poor sinner's confidence.