THE SALVATION OF SINNERS THE PROMISED REWARD FOR CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS

Headnote to Is. 53:10(a)

      In this sermon, written and delivered in the period from Aug. 1731 to Dec. 1732, Edwards identifies the words of Is. 53:10 as those of the Father pronouncing that Christ's suffering will be successful, and that he shall give Christ the reward of seeing his beloved church converted and brought to him.

      Edwards penned this Christocentric sermon within the framework of the covenant of redemption, focusing on one of the inward motivations for Christ's sufferings. "Christ has so set his love upon men," Edwards comments, "that the seeing this sight [of men saved] is what he earnestly desired and greatly delights in." He points to Luke 22:29, "I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me," along with other verses, to show that Christ was subject to God as mediator, a role for which he volunteered under the covenant of redemption. Edwards also mentions this verse in "Miscellanies" no. 1064 to show that Christ also entered into a covenant of grace with the church:

the parties contracting in the covenant of redemption are the Father and the Son, but the parties contracting in the covenant of grace, Christ and believers, is what seems to be taught in that Luke 22:29, "καγω διατιθεμαι υμιν καθως διεθετο μοι ο πατηρ μου βασιλειαν, I do by covenant dispose unto you a kingdom, as my father by covenant disposed unto me." For the word διατιθεμαι properly signifies to covenant, or make a contract or testament, or to appoint or dispose by covenant or testament. This is the word used, Acts 3.25, "Ye are the children of the prophets and of the covenant which God made (διαθησομαι) with our fathers." So Hebrews 8:10, "This is the covenant I will make (διαθησομαι) with the house of Israel." Therefore, the noun διαθηκη that comes of this verb signifies covenant, which is the word translated "covenant" in the New Testament.

Furthermore, while discussing the "economy" of the Trinity in "Miscellanies" no. 1062, Edwards also speaks in detail of how the Father not only is a judge of Christ in their covenant, but likewise a giver of rewards. He writes,

the whole tenor of the gospel holds this forth: that the Son acts altogether freely, and as in his own right, in undertaking the great and difficult and self-abasing work of our redemption, and that he becomes obliged to the Father with respect to it by voluntary covenant engagements, and not by any establishment prior thereto; so that he merits infinitely of the Father in entering into and fulfilling these engagements. ...From which engagements of the Son the Father acquires a new right of headship and authority over the Son, to command him and prescribe to him and rule over him as his proper lawgiver and judge; and the Father also comes under new obligation to the Son, to give him such success, rewards, etc.

In the doctrinal section of this sermon, Edwards explores two Propositions, the first being that "God the Father promised Jesus Christ a reward, if he would undertake to suffer for us." Edwards expounds on this through a rising succession of questions and answers regarding the covenant of redemption. The second Proposition is, "This is a part {of the reward that God promised him for his sufferings}." Here Edwards presents a second set of questions and answers centering on Christ's love for the persons for whom he died. Staying on this theme of Christ's love for the elect, Edwards ends the Doctrine with escalating encouragements that "Christ doth as it were adorn himself with believers, as the high priest was adorned with the precious stones."

In the Application, Edwards encourages his listeners with several meditative and earnest responses on unbelievers and believers, culminating in a special plea for believers to rejoice with Christ. When sinners are converted, they are united to Christ. Hence, "it should rejoice our hearts: for Christ herein has his rewards for his suffering."

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Transcribed, edited & Headnote provided by:

Jonathan Edwards Center @ Yale University (http://edwards.yale.edu/),

Kenneth Minkema,

Oshea Davis.  2012

For permission use see the Jonathan Edwards Center website:  http://edwards.yale.edu/copyright