Deep Dive into The Greatest Motive to Repentance (Zechariah 12:10) by Charles Spurgeon
The essence of the gospel is the substitution of Christ for the sinner. This fundamental truth explains why Jesus, "the pierced One," suffered and died. While a Roman soldier physically pierced Jesus, it was humanity, through "our sins" and transgressions, that was ultimately responsible for this act. Humanity is described as being, "at heart, a deicide," demonstrating a deep-seated rejection of God.
Jesus chose to die out of "love, mighty love," and a divine resolve to save us. He bore the "penalty for sin" in our place, suffering not for His own sin but to vindicate God's justice and allow humanity to escape judgment. His death was also an act of obedience to God's plan.
This central message of Christ's sacrifice leads to evangelical repentance, which is "acceptable repentance." It is a "faith-look at the pierced Son of God" that is divinely "wrought" by the Holy Spirit. This spiritual gaze at the crucified Christ causes individuals to confront their own sins, realizing that "our sins slew the Savior." There is no saving repentance apart from this sight of the cross, as faith and repentance are inseparable. Continuously contemplating Jesus as the pierced One, and understanding His immense suffering and boundless love, softens the heart and leads to a profound mourning for sin and a hatred of it. The preaching of "Christ crucified" and His substitutionary atonement is what enables this transformative repentance.
Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian
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