Consider Christ For You

"Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" - Hebrews 12: 1-2

"...and the same apostle says that we are 'justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus', and therefore we cling to this foundation, which is firm forever..." - Snippet from Belgic Confession Article 23 - The Justification of Sinners

"In a word, Christ is our wisdom, because he is the subject, the author, and the medium. He is our righteousness, that is, our justifier. Our righteousness is in him, as in the subject; and he himself gives this unto us by his merit and efficacy. He is our sanctification, that is, sanctifier; because he regenerates us, and sanctifies us through the Holy Spirit. He is our redemption, that is, redeemer; because he finally delivers us: for the word that is here translated redemption, does not only signify the price, but also the effect and consummation of our redemption. " - Zacharius Ursinus Commentary of the Heidelberg Catechism

Look to Jesus...

Perhaps the best advice that I have ever received as a Christian was to look to Christ. I heard this wonderful advice even in an environment where my spiritual growth was emphasized over Christ's works for me. I loved the idea of looking to Jesus. However, I didn't understand what the concept meant.  My spiritual growth was a constant reference point to sooth my conscience before God. I depended on myself to maintain a level of sanctification that was enough for me to feel saved. Self-Examination was the way to look to Christ. Yet He was not visible to me. I looked to Christ as my Example first and not as my Mediator. Self-examination without the remedy of a mediator was a recipe for despair.  Silent despair. 

  

Christ for you - What does this mean for us as Christians? 

"Christ for you" are the three most precious words I have heard in my life. Christ as just my example to follow is crushing and condemning. For how can I measure up to such a standard of perfection? Was this standard of perfection far off and aloof? Was it up to me to reach it?  "Christ for you" means that He has given that perfection to us as a gift, clothing us in Himself.  He gives Himself as our Mediator who delivers us from our sins.

But who is that Mediator who at the same time is true God and a true and righteous man? 

"Our Lord Jesus Christ, "who has become to us wisdom from God - that is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)  (Heidelberg Q&A 18)

Christ is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Christ was given for us as a gift through faith. His conception covers our sin in the sight of God with His innocence. His life was a life lived in full obedience to the law in our place. Christ is our intercessor, who constantly prays for us, knowing that it pleases the Father to offer us forgiveness and mercy in our time of need.  He has died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins and was raised for our justification. He is our consolation in knowing that our sins are forgiven and we are not under the wrath of God.  Looking to Christ means to consider that His life, death, resurrection, burial, ascension, and intercession are for us and our salvation. 

Consider what Zacharius Ursinus, author of the Heidelberg Catechism says about the office of Mediator that Christ fulfills for us:

“With God, the offended party, he does these things:— He intercedes with the Father for us, and prays that our sin may not be laid to our charge.  He offers himself as a satisfaction in our behalf.  He makes this satisfaction by dying for us, and enduring a punishment sufficient to meet our case, finite indeed as to time, but infinite in dignity and value. He becomes our surety, that we shall no more offend God by our sins. Without this suretiship, intercession finds no place, not even with men, much less with God.  He at length effects this promise in us by giving us his Holy Spirit, and everlasting life" (Commentary on Heidelberg Catechism)

Before we look to Christ as a model of behavior to follow, we must first receive Him by faith as our Savior. Before we can be motivated to follow His example, we must first be assured that we have His righteousness. Our life in Christ is in knowing that He lived and died for us. Belonging to Him is our one comfort. 

"For the joy set before him, he endured the cross..." - Hebrews 12:1 -  It is a wonder to know and understand that we were objects of Christ's joy in His endurance of the Father's wrath at the cross. It was Christ's joy to do the Father's will to deliver us from our sins and to raise us up on the last day.  He personally, perfectly, and perpetually kept all of the law and offered up His obedience to the Father in our place. He credits this obedience to us as righteousness.  By His Spirit, He imparts to us His life, conforming us into His image. He was faithful to merit for us eternal life, and is eternally faithful in preserving us in it. Christ is forever and always our provision.  Christ crucified as offered for us to believe and cherish, gives us all that we need for life and godliness.  May we continue to look to Christ our Mediator, "our sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain" (Hebrews 6:19)

"'Look to Christ!' This is not a vague sentiment to trust God more when things go wrong, but to pay attention to the historical fact that God has done something to, and for, and in this world and in Jesus Christ that can never be undone and will only bear more fruit.  Paul's introspection leads to despair; but when he looks outside himself to Christ, he is once again able to lift his head" - Michael Horton (A Place for Weakness)