Acts 3:14-15

DISCOURSE: 1743
CHRIST REJECTED

Acts 3:14. Ye denied the Holy One and the Just and desired a murderer to be granted unto you: and killed the Prince of life.

IN the Apostles of our Lord we behold an admirable mixture of wisdom and firmness. On no occasion did they withhold the truth from their most powerful opponents: and on no occasion did they excite needless prejudice, in their manner of declaring it. It was necessary that they should assert the honour of their Lord, by whose Almighty power they had been enabled to work a most stupendous miracle. But, in doing this, they would appear, to many, to be setting up the Lord Jesus against Moses, and to be detracting from the honour of Jehovah. To obviate this misconception, they profess at once the greatest reverence for the religion of their forefathers; and proclaim, that “the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob,” had wrought this miracle for the express purpose of “glorifying his Son Jesus,” whom they had treated with all imaginable ignominy, “denying him in the presence of Pilate, and preferring a murderer before him.” Here, you will perceive, whilst they are careful to give no needless offence, they boldly charge upon their hearers the guilt they had contracted in crucifying their Messiah. And somewhat of a similar charge must this day be brought against you, my brethren. But, that I may not overload you with too aggravated an accusation,

I propose to shew,
I.

How far the charge exhibited against the Jews attaches to us—

Against the Lord Jesus Christ personally it is impossible that we should ever have committed any offence; because he has never corporeally been within our reach. The charge therefore, so far as relates to personal injury, must be confined to those amongst whom he sojourned in the days of his flesh. But against him, as revealed in his Gospel, we have shewn the same hostility as they. For,

1. We have refused to acknowledge him in his proper character—

[He professed himself to be the King, of whom the prophets had spoken [Note: Psalms 2:6; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:13. with John 18:33.], and whose kingdom the Jews themselves expected to be established in the midst of them [Note: Matthew 2:2; Matthew 2:6; Matthew 2:11; Matthew 21:4.]. But when Pilate announced him under that character, and offered to release him, they refused to acknowledge him, and demanded his crucifixion [Note: Mark 15:9; Mark 15:12.]. They had had abundant evidence that he was not only a just and holy person, but “the Just and Holy One [Note: Acts 2:27; Acts 7:52; Acts 22:14.],” the Son of the living God: yet they would not believe in him, or receive him as their King.

And have not we the same evidence of his character? Were not all his miracles sufficient proofs of his Messiahship? Yet, who amongst us has submitted himself to him? Who has not, in fact, said concerning him, “We will not have this man to reign over us [Note: Luke 19:14.]?” God has “sworn that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow [Note: Romans 14:11.]:” but who has obeyed his mandate? Many will superstitiously bow their heads at the mention of the name of Jesus, in the Creed: hut who will bow down their hearts before him? In that respect, the most of us, alas! are as stubborn and inflexible as stones or iron. Let us look back upon our past lives; and we shall see, that in no one respect have we truly taken his yoke upon us, and never for a single hour been truly obedient to his will.]

2. We have rejected him, with a scornful preference of our most deadly lusts—

[The Jews had the alternative given to them, to save Barabbas, or the Lord Jesus. But they, with one voice, cried out, “Not this man, but Barabbas:” thus deliberately preferring one who had destroyed life, to him who was “the Prince and Author of life” to a ruined world.
And have not we resembled them in this?. The Lord Jesus Christ is still “the Prince of life;” possessing “life in, and of, himself [Note: John 1:4; John 5:26.];” and ready to confer life on all who seek it at his hands [Note: John 11:25; John 17:2.]. Yet whom have we chosen for our friends? Have not those who would destroy our souls, as well as their own, been sought by us as our counsellors and companions, rather than He who came down from heaven to seek and save us? Yea, we have preferred also our most deadly lusts before Him; and, rather than “crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts [Note: Galatians 5:24.],” we have, times without number, “crucified the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame [Note: Hebrews 6:6.].”

And let it not be thought that I speak here of open transgressors only: for the more sober and moral of mankind differ not a whit in this respect from those who are more openly licentious: for the hearts of all are alike alienated from the Lord Jesus; and all, without exception, agree in saying, “Let us break his bands asunder, and cast away his cords from us [Note: Psalms 2:2.].”]

Let us then consider,

II.

What the guilt we have contracted calls for at our hands—

The Apostle’s address to his hearers is precisely that which befits our state also:

1. “Repent”—

[Well might the Jews, who had “crucified the Lord of glory,” be called on to repent. But I think that this duty is yet more justly required at our hands: for the evidence which Jesus had given of his Messiahship, previous to his crucifixion, is not to be compared with that which his ressurrection and ascension, and his sending of the Holy Spirit, have afforded unto us. Besides, his mean appearance was to the nation at large a matter of offence, which they knew not how to reconcile with their expectations: whereas to us, who are able to compare it with the prophecies respecting him, it is a confirmation rather than a stumbling-block, a proof of his Messiahship rather than a ground of doubt and suspicion. The people at large were led by their superiors, and had but little opportunity of judging for themselves; but we can dispassionately view every part of Sacred Writ, and calmly judge between the prophecies and events. Moreover, they were apprehensive that, by receiving Jesus, they should be led to sacrifice their allegiance to Moses: but we profess not only to believe in Moses, but to have received the Lord Jesus also, and to be his disciples. We therefore, in denying the Lord Jesus, are more criminal than they; and, in preferring every base lust before him, are guilty of a conduct which calls for the deepest humiliation and contrition. To every one of you, therefore, I say, with the Apostle, “Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into heaviness: humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, if ever you would that he should lift you up [Note: James 4:9.].”]

2. “Be converted”—

[Your sentiments and conduct respecting the Lord Jesus need to be changed, as much as ever those of the Jews did, whom the Apostle addressed. Professedly, indeed, you regard him as your Saviour; but in practice you “deny him,” even as they did, and postpone his interests to those of the most depraved competitor. Let an entire change, then, be wrought in you, in relation to him. Confess him now; yea, confess him openly before the whole world; and receive him in that entire character which he bears in the Sacred Writings. Receive him as your Prophet, Priest, and King; and look for every thing from him, as your only Lord and Saviour — — — As for every person, and every thing, that would stand in competition with Him, let them all be sacrificed, without hesitation or exception; that He alone may live in your hearts, and be glorified in your lives. Bring forth your lusts, “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life,” and crucify them all: let “the right hand be cut off, and the right eye be plucked out:” plead not for any one of them; nor listen to a plea, by whomsoever it may be preferred. Let the Lord Jesus Christ be to you your one Friend, your only Saviour, your “all in all.”]

3. Expect from Christ all that your necessities can require—

[The forgiveness of all your sins shall surely be accorded to you, the instant you believe in him. “Repent, and be converted,” says the Apostle, “that your sins may be blotted out [Note: ver. 19.].” But this is only one part of the blessing which shall be vouchsafed to you. If you would see at once the full change that should be wrought in you, look to the man whose restoration to health was the occasion of this address: he had been “lame from the mother’s womb,” and incapable of moving himself from place to place; but, through the mercy vouchsafed to him in Jesus’ name, he was so strengthened, that “he leaped up, and stood, and walked, and entered into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God [Note: ver. 6–8.].” And is not “the name of Jesus” now as operative as then? or has “faith in his name” lost any of its power [Note: “His name, through faith in his name, has made this man strong.” ver. 16.]? I tell you, that though miracles shall not now be wrought upon your bodies, wonders shall still be accomplished on your souls; and not one atom of what was wrought in that man corporeally, shall be wanting in you spiritually, if only you will look to the Lord Jesus Christ as “the Prince of life.” Yes, truly, “God has sent his Son to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities [Note: ver. 26.]:” and through the mighty working of his power shall you be raised to newness of life. The astonishment of all was excited by a view of that restored cripple: nor shall it be less drawn forth in reference to you: for your whole life shall testify the power of his grace; and in his temple above shall you adore and magnify his name to all eternity.]