Spurgeon may well have been one of the most eloquent preachers ever. It would have been a treat to have heard him preach.
A thought or two on his observations.
“ Pride cannot live beneath the cross. Let us sit there and learn our lesson, and then rise and carry it into practice”.
We come back to the completed work of Christ, for us, so that we are forgiven, regenerate and have our life sustained.
Questions which arise? Is it the Cross that teaches us to hate our sin which seems to be what Spurgeon implies? Or, rather, is it our sin that teaches us to love Christ and the Cross?
I would offer that the later is the truest view based upon what Paul teaches about the purpose and limits of the Law.
If we sit beneath the cross and learn our lesson exactly what do we then carry away? Do we walk away as one who has somehow ascended because of contemplation? Are we somehow more righteous or holy because of an additional experience there in those moments?
In the Lutheran Service we do not leave with the message of “now go and do” or “you are now entering the mission field”. We leave with the distinct message, having been brought to confession and absolution, the OT, Epistle and Gospel readings, confession of faith, law/Gospel sermon, Sacraments, benediction and blessing. The message is simple and sustaining , “Your sins are forgiven. Go in peace”.
