THE SAVIOUR'S Wounds

*Ten Sermons preached by Dr. Paul Spence, Independent Chaplain, in the long term Care Facilities that he serves.

DEAR READER— Here are Ten Sermons. They are entitled “The Saviour's Wounds.” That you might know what you are in for should you choose to read these Sermons, in Sermon I, I begin with THE SAVIOUR'S feet. In Sermon II, I turn to the stripes on His back. Sermon III. The piercing of His side. Sermon IV. The nailing of His hands. Sermon V. He wore the crown of thorns. Sermon VI. The five Wounds reviewed. Sermon VII. The Wounds more carefully thought on. Sermon VIII. The depth of the Wounds. Sermon IX. The value of the Wounds. Sermon X. A question. Does JESUS still have His Wounds today? In my experience, whenever I have preached on THE SAVIOUR'S Wounds, I have found them just outside my reach. Even after much Scriptural study, Prayer, and Preaching, I return unable to sound their depths or fully express their uncreated Glory. Nevertheless, since these Sermons are Scriptural, it may be correctly said that they preach “the Word.” Acts 8.4; 11.19; 15.35. And if they preach “the Word,” then it can be solidly hoped that they are able to birth and nurture faith. Acts 4.4; 13.48; 15.7. To GOD'S Great Blessing I commit these compositions!

Dr. Paul Spence; Independent Chaplain. April 1st; 2025.

Sermon I.

WHEN THE SAVIOUR laid down His Life at the Cross, the Scripture records that He received five great Wounds. I intend, as GOD shall help me, in the next weeks, to preach to you concerning these exquisite Wounds. I begin today with the Wounds in the feet.

First, I’d have you to simply think of THE SAVIOUR’S feet. How frequently the Scripture says that the sick were laid at His feet! It was a customary practice. Matthew 15.30; Mark 5.22,23; Mark 7.25,26. Luke 7.36-50 says that a certain female one day came and washed His feet. Think of how she did it. She washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Luke 8.35 says that once THE SAVIOUR saved a certain man, forgave him, and changed him, he was now found sitting at THE SAVIOUR’S feet and hearing His Word. Luke 17.6 says that after THE SAVIOUR healed ten sick men, there was only one who came back to THE SAVIOUR, fell down at His feet, and gave Him thanks. Those dear feet! They were always going somewhere to do some good. They were always surrounded by those who sought THE LORD.

Now consider what happened at the Cross. When you read the Scriptural Accounts of the Cross, it’s nowhere actually said that they put spikes in THE SAVIOUR’S feet. All you read is: “They crucified Him.” Matthew 27.35. However, there are three Facts that show JESUS indeed received Wounds in His feet from the spikes. First: Historical Facts show that men, in THE SAVIOUR’S times, were sometimes crucified in this way. Second: When the Scripture foretold of the Cross, it distinctly says that THE SAVIOUR’S feet would be “pierced.” Psalm 22.16. Third: The Scripture says that when THE SAVIOUR rose again and appeared to the Apostles, He specially showed them His feet. Luke 24.39. Now, surely, He showed His feet to show the print of the spikes, just as He did with some of His other Wounds.

Question. Why did THE SAVIOUR receive Wounds in His feet? The general idea of the Cross is THE SAVIOUR died for our sins. I Corinthians 15.3. But, say, why did His feet have to be wounded in the process? The Scripture distinctly says that every one of THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds was because of our sins. Isaiah 53.5. Therefore when you think of the Wounds in THE SAVIOUR’S feet, you are to think of your sins.

There are many ways we have sinned with our feet. First: Many sins are committed standing. Every time this takes place, our feet, also, lend their support to our sins. Then think of all the times feet carry people where they shouldn’t go. Proverbs 4.14,15. A further thing that ought to be considered is the Scripture often associates feet with a particular way of life. To walk in sin, according to Scripture, means that sin fills your way of life. To walk with GOD means that you don’t just have GOD in your head and feelings, but you have brought Him into your way of life. Psalm 119.101,105. With this in mind, our feet had not kept the Ways of GOD. Our feet went astray into the ways of sin.

But look what THE SAVIOUR did! His feet were nailed to the Cross. This vividly brightens an entire chain of Scriptures. THE SAVIOUR now can pluck our feet out of the net. Psalm 25.15. He can set our feet in a large room. Psalm 25.15. He can make our feet like hinds’ feet. Psalm 18.33. He can set our feet upon a Rock. Psalm 40.2. He can suffer our feet not to be moved. Psalm 66.9. He can guide our feet into the Way of Peace. Luke 1.79.

Therefore, Friends, when you think of THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds, don’t forget His feet. He was nailed in His feet. Matthew 28.9 says that after THE SAVIOUR rose from the dead, there were some who came and held Him by the feet. They were charmed by those feet! They were attracted by those Wounds! Friends, I exhort you today to hold THE SAVIOUR’S feet. I know THE SAVIOUR is not here today. He sits at the right hand of GOD. Yet still He has the same old feet and the same old Wounds. In your heart, cling to those feet! Believe that they were wounded for you. So many things in this world, once you hold them and own them, grow old. They are not as good as they seem. But hold you on to the Wounds in THE SAVIOUR’S feet. These Wounds discharge sin. They still save. They bring in the Smile of GOD. Amen.

Sermon II.

WHEN THE SAVIOUR laid down His Life at the Cross, the Scripture records that He received five great Wounds. One real part of those Wounds was the Stripes on His back. I’d have you to think of those Wounds today.

Concerning these Stripes— I. They actually took place. The Scripture records that right before THE SAVIOUR died, He was scourged by whips. This was the prelude of the Cross. The Gospel of John simply records the scourging like this. “Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soldiers put on Him a purple robe, And said, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote Him with their hands.” John 19.1-3.

II. These Stripes were foretold more than seven hundred and fifty years beforehand. For the Prophet Isaiah foretold of THE SAVIOUR that “He would give His back to the smiters.” Isaiah 50.6. When you read the Prophecies of Scripture, one thing that stands out about them is how striking they are. You take the Prophecy of King Josiah. There the Jews were. They were sinfully bowing down to false gods. But GOD spoke to the Jews at that time that one day a King whose name would be Josiah would be born among them. He would reform the Country and bring them back to THE ONE TRUE GOD. I Kings 13.1-3. Now had you been among the Jews when that Prophecy was made, you would have been thunderstruck. For there the Jews were. The majority were bowing down to false gods. All sorts of sins and crimes were being performed. It looked like there was no way to reform such a Country. Nevertheless, in time, GOD’S Words came to pass. King Josiah was born. He totally reformed the Country.

Now when you look at this Prophecy concerning the Stripes on THE SAVIOUR’S back, it is most striking indeed. “He gave His back to the smiters.” Instead of speaking of THE SAVIOUR’S Stripes, you’d think the Prophet would have spoken of “the great things” THE SAVIOUR would do. How He would heal the sick. How He would raise the dead. But, instead, the Prophecy is that THE SAVIOUR would be smitten on His back. When these things are well considered, it begins to shine on our faces that the chief Work THE SAVIOUR came into the world to do was not physical. He chiefly came into this world to save sinners and bring their souls back again to GOD. This required the deepest suffering. Therefore, since this is THE SAVIOUR’S chief Work, it is no surprise that His Stripes would be spoken of.

III. What the Scripture says about these Stripes. One recent view of these Stripes is these Stripes took place to give us good health. This view has since risen to some popularity. The thinking is that “THE SAVIOUR was whipped thirty-nine times. Those thirty-nine times are because there are thirty-nine various sicknesses in the world. So THE SAVIOUR received these Stripes to heal us from all sicknesses.”

It is true, the Scripture shows that THE SAVIOUR received thirty-nine Stripes. But it’s not because there are thirty-nine various sicknesses. GOD nowhere speaks this in His Word. Instead, the Scripture clearly says that GOD told the Jews, in their Law, that they were not allowed to whip their criminals more than forty times. Deuteronomy 25.3. Therefore, lest the Jews miscounted, Historians have said the Jews almost always stopped at thirty-nine. This is why THE SAVIOUR received thirty-nine Stripes. GOD laid our sins on Him. He was treated as an offender for our sakes. He took the scourging that we should have received because of our sins.

Friends, have you ever felt guilt because of sin? Romans 3.23 says that all have sinned. But not every one feels guilt because of those sins. Proverbs 30.20 says that some smile and wipe their hands as if they have done no wrong. But when THE SPIRIT works in the heart, guilt is felt. The soul becomes sorry for its sins. John 16.7,8. The soul then well knows the Truth of King Solomon’s Words: “Stripes [are prepared] for the back of fools.” Proverbs 19.29.

I say to you today, when you are sorry for your sins, don’t leave matters unresolved. Instead, in your mind, go to the Stripes of THE SAVIOUR. In Psalm 129, you have a Prophecy of THE SAVIOUR’S Stripes. “The plowers ploughed upon His back: they made long the furrows.” Psalm 129.3. Think of these Stripes! They were “ploughed” on THE SAVIOUR’S back. These “furrows” were “long.” These are your Stripes! They were made by your sins. They were borne because THE SAVIOUR stood in your place. Therefore believe in these Wounds. Rest your souls in them. For here is the release from guilt. The two times in Scripture where the Verse appears that says “with His Stripes we are healed”, both times THE LORD clearly speaks in a Context of the healing of our relationship with GOD. Isaiah 53.5; I Peter 2.24. This, truly, is the Wonder of these Stripes. They lift us. They bring us up. They fully restore our shattered relationship with GOD. In these Stripes, we behold the face of a smiling GOD. Amen.

Sermon III.

I COME TO this nice Room today to preach to you concerning how THE SAVIOUR’S side was pierced at the Cross. If you look for THE SAVIOUR’S side in the Scriptural Accounts of His Life, you can’t find it. You don’t read of His side once. But in the Scriptural Accounts of the Cross, for the first time, you read of THE SAVIOUR’S side. “One of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” John 19.34. The setting of this Scripture is peculiar. THE SAVIOUR had hung on the Cross all day. The Soldiers were about to take Him down. By this time, THE SAVIOUR was dead. But just before the Soldiers took THE SAVIOUR down from the Cross, one of them pierced His side with a spear.

Question. Why did THE SAVIOUR receive the Wound in His side? It is Divinely Written that at the Cross, THE FATHER did not allow one bone of HIS SON to be broken. John 19.36. Therefore why would THE FATHER allow HIS SON to be wounded in His side?

There are two points. 1. This Wound was foretold. About five hundred years before THE SAVIOUR, the Prophet Zechariah foretold: “They shall look upon Him whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him.” Therefore, when THE SAVIOUR was wounded in His side, this Word was fulfilled. It proved that He was THE TRUE SAVIOUR. See Zechariah 12.10 & John 19.34,36,37. 2. This Wound was inflicted because of our sins. The Prophet Isaiah said that all THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds were inflicted because of our sins. Isaiah 53.5. So that when you think of the Wound in THE SAVIOUR’S side, you are to think of your sins.

When you read the Word “side” in Scripture, you read a word that often alludes to our affections. In Isaiah 60.4, you are presented with the tender idea that Children are nursed at the side. In Genesis 2.21-25, it is said that when GOD made a Wife for our First Father, Adam, GOD made a wound in his side, took one rib, and made the woman. This showed that our First Father was to love his Wife. This Wife was to be near him and dear to him.

When these things are considered, it begins to be clear why THE SAVIOUR, when He was paying the price for the sins of His Children, received the Wound in His side. When it comes to our affections, in our hearts, we all had gone after sin. We did not seek GOD. We sought after sin and the material things of the world. We took great delight in pastimes that helped us forget GOD. Therefore when THE SAVIOUR was building a Way back to GOD, He was necessarily wounded in His side. He paid the price for our sinful affections.

I conclude today with this. The Scripture says that when THE SAVIOUR rose again from the dead, one of the Disciples, Thomas, had doubts. One part of Thomas' words went: “Except I shall thrust my hand into [Jesus’] side, I will not believe.” Eight days passed. THE SAVIOUR appeared. One part of THE SAVIOUR’S Words to Thomas went: “Thrust thy hand into My side: and be not faithless.” When Thomas saw the Wound in THE SAVIOUR’S side, he was moved to the soul. He instantly said: “My Lord and my God.” John 20.24-29. And, Friends, when we also consider the Wound in THE SAVIOUR’S side, shouldn’t we also be moved in our souls? On the one hand, that Wound is like a mouth stretched wide open to condemn us. It plainly shows that we are guilty of sinful affections. If we had no sin, He would have no Wound. At the same time, that Wound is the channel through which the Grace of GOD comes to the soul. For THE SAVIOUR was wounded in His side on purpose to atone for sinful affections. Therefore if you now put the arm of your faith in the precious Wound of His side, and cling to it for your Acceptance with GOD, GOD'S Love flows into the soul. Amen.

Sermon IV.

WHEN THE SAVIOUR was here, the Scripture said four things about His hands. 1. All things were in THE SAVIOUR’S hands. John 13.3. He had the earth in His hands. He had the seas in His hands. He had the clouds in His hands. All things are in His hands. This declares that THE SAVIOUR is GOD. No mere man has all things in his hands. This is the province of the Divine. 2. THE SAVIOUR healed the sick with His hands. The Scripture says that on a certain day, a leper came to JESUS and said: “Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.” It is then said that THE SAVIOUR “put forth his hand, and touched him,” and healed him. Matthew 8.2-4. Mark 5.23 says that on a certain day, a Father came to JESUS and besought Him to lay His hands on his sick Child. Mark 7.31-37 says that THE SAVIOUR put His hand on a man who had an infirmity with his speech. He was healed. Mark 8.23 says while THE SAVIOUR was once healing a blind man, JESUS “put his hands upon him” and healed him. Luke 4.40 says: “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto [Jesus]; and He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them.” Luke 4.40. Therefore in Mark 6.2, it is no surprise that the crowds said of THE SAVIOUR that “mighty works were wrought by His hands.” 3. THE SAVIOUR blessed with His hands. When the Children were brought to THE SAVIOUR, Matthew 19.13-15 says that He laid His hands on them and blessed them. 4. THE SAVIOUR saved with His hands. In Matthew 14.31, when one of the Apostles was sinking down into the sea, THE SAVIOUR stretched forth His hand and saved him.

But consider what happened when THE SAVIOUR died. Those hands that held all things—those hands that healed the sick—those hands that blessed and saved; these very hands were nailed to the Cross. Question. Why was THE SAVIOUR’S hands nailed to the Cross? 1. The nailing of JESUS' hands was foretold long before in the Psalms. In His Word, GOD Himself said long before that THE SAVIOUR’S hands would be pierced. Psalm 22.16. Therefore the Soldiers nailed His hands. 2. THE SAVIOUR'S hands were nailed because of our sins. There are several ways how we all have sinned with our hands. There is to be considered our First Father. How did he sin? Genesis 3.6 speaks that he sinned when he partook of the forbidden fruit with his hands. Which shows that the first sin in the world was done with the hands. Besides this, with our own hands, we have done our own acts of sin. Think of all the hand-sins that take place in this world. Some use their hands to get drunk. Others use their hands to express obscene gestures. Hands are used to harm. They are used to hold bad books. They are used to steal. Here, GOD in giving hands meant to bless people; but not a few use their hands to bring ill to themselves. In the Scripture, THE LORD further speaks of more hand-sins that are not commonly thought about. In the Psalms, you read more than once that phrase “the work of our hands.” For one example, see Psalm 90.17. Is it not true that some sin with “the work of their hands?” In Proverbs 6.10, King Solomon said: “A little folding of the hands to sleep.” In Proverbs 21.25, the same king says again “his hands refuse to labour.” Isn’t this specially true of many? But look what THE SAVIOUR did! Those hands that held all things—those hands that healed the sick—those hands that blessed and saved; these very hands were nailed to the Cross for our sins. Those hand-sins that we had done, He, with His sinless hands, fully paid for. His mighty hands released our guilt.

One of the last Words you have in Scripture respecting THE SAVIOUR’S hands is this. After THE SAVIOUR rose again from the dead, He appeared to the Apostles saying: “Peace be unto you.” He said at the time: “Behold My hands, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see.” When these things took place, it is said that the Apostles were filled with joy. Luke 24.36-41a.

Friends, sin comes to you saying: “Peace be unto you.” “Just do what you want to do. You’ll have peace.” But if you walk down sin’s road, you’re bound to meet sin’s sister. The sister of sin is sorrow. No man ever sinned but what he was also stung with sorrow. But look how THE SAVIOUR is! He also says: “Peace be unto you.” But He has more than Words. He has Wounds. Some of these Wounds landed hard on His hands. Down in our hearts, we all know that we owe something to GOD because of our sins. Sin must be atoned for before we can have Peace. Yet if we are honest with ourselves, we also know that we cannot pay this massive debt. But behold THE SAVIOUR’S hands! His hands were wounded for us. His strong hands have brought in Salvation. Therefore we must come to GOD, not trusting in the work of our hands, but trusting in the Work of His hands. It is only then that “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5.1. Amen.

Sermon V.

THE SCRIPTURE says three things respecting THE SAVIOUR’S head. 1. THE SAVIOUR thought sinless thoughts. Do you believe that one complete Lifetime of uninterrupted sinless thoughts were ever thought in this world? The Scripture says so. Song of Solomon 5.11 says: “His head is as the most fine gold.” No man ever lived Who had a more golden head than THE SAVIOUR. All His thoughts were pure, good, and sinless. In John 8.29, JESUS said: “I do always those things that please the Father.” And if JESUS did always “those things that please the Father,” then what must His thought life been like? Surely, if He did outward sinless deeds, this was proceeded and fueled by an inward feast of the best thoughts that were ever thought. Long before JESUS was born, when He lived with THE FATHER and was His Daily Delight, JESUS thought good thoughts. When JESUS lived in this world, He thought good thoughts. When JESUS died, the Scriptures testify that even then in those dark circumstances His mind fed on the finest of things. 2. THE SAVIOUR’S head had nowhere to sleep. THE SAVIOUR Himself spoke only one time about His head. He said: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” Matthew 8.20. This precious head that was all pure, good, and sinless had nowhere to lay down to sleep. He had no house of His own. He had no bed in which to sleep. 3. There was a time when ointment was poured on THE SAVIOUR’S head. This happened during the last days of His Life. Matthew 26.7 says: “There came unto Him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat.” This woman knew THE SAVIOUR was about to die. Therefore she poured ointment on His head.

But, Friends, consider what took place at the Cross. There were two things that happened to THE SAVIOUR’S head at the Cross. First: The Soldiers placed on His head the crown of thorns. “When they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head.” Matthew 27.29. Secondly: The Soldiers smote His head with their hands. “They smote Him on the head.” Matthew 27.30. Question. Why was THE SAVIOUR wounded in His head? 1. This Wound was foretold. The Prophet Isaiah spoke of the Wounds THE SAVIOUR would receive in His head. In Isaiah 50.5,6, the Prophet quotes JESUS Who would say: “I gave…My cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not My face from shame and spitting.” Isaiah 50.5,6. 2. This Wound was received because of our sins. The Justice of GOD’S Law had said: “Hand for hand, foot for foot, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” Exodus 21.24. Therefore had we sinned with our heads? It was His head that paid the dear price. Isaiah 53.5. I’d have you to think, Friends, of the various ways we all have sinned with our heads. Isaiah 1.5 says of our heads that “the whole head is sick.” Sin has most definitely affected our heads. Left to ourselves, we only think bad thoughts. We concoct bad philosophies. It is only when GOD comes to us, and we come to Him, that this sad cycle is broken. It may be further added that most of the sins that go on in this world go on through the head. How often sin comes into people’s souls through their eyes and ears! How often sin flows out of people through their lips and words! Eyes, ears, and lips are all aspects of the head. Sin always begins in the head. All the sin that has ever been performed in this world has come in one of three forms. Sin is always a thought, word, or deed. Two of these have to do with the head. And yet where does sin invariably begin? Sin invariably begins with a thought. It’s only after in some way a sinful thought has been accepted, that then the sinful word is spoken or the sinful deed is committed. It’s in the mind where sin begins. Which makes the mind the chief leader in sin. The mind usually knows better; but in the face of better knowledge, it leads the soul off the cliff into guilt. Still, look at what THE SAVIOUR did at the Cross! When THE SAVIOUR went to pay the great price for sin, it was just for Him to receive the Wound in His head. The crown of thorns was placed on His head. The soldiers struck and beat His head. In this circumstance, GOD laid our sins on THE SAVIOUR. Through all this Suffering, THE SAVIOUR paid the complete price for the sins of those who trust in Him.

I end the Sermon today by saying what a Great SAVIOUR is JESUS CHRIST! I only spoke today concerning His sacred head. Yet I spoke sufficiently to demonstrate that JESUS CHRIST is a Great SAVIOUR. I showed today that long before THE SAVIOUR was born, His mind was alert and active in the fragrant field of good thoughts. One part of these good thoughts had to do with His Coming into the world and dying for our sins. These thoughts were fixed in Him. He thought them before He came into this world. These same thoughts filled Him while He was among us. Nor did he fluctuate. But when the hour came, He bowed His head and wore the crown of thorns. What a Great SAVIOUR is JESUS CHRIST! None can compare to Him. I beseech you, go out by faith to meet this DEAR SAVIOUR. Believe that it was for you that He suffered. It’s only then that you enjoy the Blessing of His Salvation. Amen.

Sermon VI.

FOR five weeks, I’ve been speaking to you respecting THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds. Today, I’d like to review in two points. 1. What THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds actually were. When THE SAVIOUR died at the Cross, He received five Wounds. Those Wounds were in His feet, back, side, hands, and head. 2. What THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds accomplished. There’s real cause why THE SAVIOUR received five wounds. His feet were nailed because our feet had not keep the Ways of GOD. Jeremiah 14.10. His back was whipped because, instead of bowing our backs to the sweet Service of GOD, we mistakenly thought there was sweetness in the service of sin and bowed our backs to it. Lamentations 1.14. His side was pierced because our hearts and affections had sinned. Ephesians 2.3. His hands were nailed because our hands were guilty of sinful works. Galatians 5.19. His head wore the crown of thorns because our heads had thought sinful thoughts. Psalm 10.4. From today’s review, I’d have you to learn one great Truth. All the Wounds of THE SAVIOUR were not disjointed, but they had one central aim.

The Scripture speaks of all sorts of wounds. I Kings 22.35 says that while King Ahab was at war, he received a mortal wound. The Verse says: “The blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.” In Psalm 38.5-7, the Psalmist was in such poor health once that his wounds stank. In Mark 12.4, even JESUS spoke of a servant who was cruelly treated. JESUS said that this servant received a wound in his head. But in the Scripture, there are no wounds like THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds. These Wounds are set aside, prized, and commended. As for THE SAVIOUR'S Wounds, He didn’t receive His Wounds in war. His Wounds were not due to sickness. Some wounds are repulsive. They are no joy to think about. Whereas JESUS' Wounds have a peculiar attraction. I would add that JESUS' Wounds are not to be divided. As if the Wounds in His hands were meant to pay for sin, while the Wounds in His back were meant to bring in good health. All the Wounds of THE SAVIOUR had one central aim.

Friends, the Scripture is clear. All of THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds were meant to pay the full price for sin. This is written all across Scripture. The Apostle Paul said that “Christ gave Himself for our sins.” Galatians 1.4. This “gave Himself” refers to every Wound THE SAVIOUR had. Did THE SAVIOUR have Wounds in His feet, back, side, hands, and head? The Apostle says that every Wound was “for our sins”. Titus 2.14 says: “Christ gave Himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Hebrews 1.3 says: “When Christ had by Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” In Revelation 5.9,10, when the Apostle John pulls back the curtain and shows all True Christians finally obtaining Eternal Life, he has them singing: “Thou, Lord, wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests.” Revelation 5.9,10. All which speaks that the Scriptural Fact relating to THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds is that every one of them were inflicted and received to pay the full price of the sins of those who trust in Him.

I conclude with this. The Forgiveness of Sins is simple. GOD doesn’t say: “Show your hand, I shall put a wound in it, then you shall enjoy the Forgiveness of Sins.” But what says His Word? In I John 1.9, His Word says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” Friends, on our side, the Forgiveness of Sins is simple. But never think from this Fact that the Forgiveness of Sins is cheap. Turn your eye to THE SAVIOUR. Run your mind across all five of the Wounds. It took no less than all this to pay the price of sin. So that on our side, the Forgiveness of Sins is simple. But never forget. On THE SAVIOUR’S Side, the cost was blood, suffering, wounds, and death. We live in times when the Forgiveness of Sins has become so cheap in the thinking of thousands. Many think they can go out in life and sin, and then ask THE LORD to forgive again. This becomes the lifestyle. They treat GOD like a forgiving-machine. Yet all the while, sin rules these people. Sin is no serious thing to them. They make no serious attempt to obey Scripture. Whereas when you truly enjoy the Forgiveness of Sins, the heavy price of what THE SAVIOUR paid in His own Body will sanctify your soul. You won’t go back to the ditch of sin again. Sin will not rule your life. Romans 6.14. Instead, you will walk softly and humbly all the rest of the days of your life. Luke 1.74,75.

Sermon VII.

IN SONG of Solomon 5.11,14, THE SAVIOUR is spoken of most sweetly. Some of the Sayings are— “His head is as the most fine gold.” “His hands are as gold rings.” Now when you think of THE SAVIOUR’S five Wounds, aren’t these Words most true? His sacred head is as gold. It wore for us the crown of thorns. His sinless hands are as gold rings. They were nailed to the Cross for our sins.

I’ll be the first to say, that when you think of THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds from the perspective of blood and suffering, it is no pretty sight. I have met many in the Care Facilities who affectionately expressed this perspective. I grant, these Wounds were deep. They served to take away THE SAVIOUR from the land of the living. Does not the Prophet Isaiah speak this view? In Isaiah 52.15, he says the most striking Words that “His visage was so marred more than any man.” Think of it! THE SAVIOUR was the most marred of all men! I think it would have been very disturbing to see with your own eyes THE SAVIOUR in His Wounds. Whatever you may know about THE SAVIOUR'S Wounds, to have seen them, supposing you have any humanity, would have been the most extraordinary spectacle of suffering this world has ever seen. He was “marred more than any man.” The Divine Account says so. Yet you must not only see from this perspective. I make bold to say, if you only see from this perspective, it will do you no spiritual good. JESUS will become a mere curiosity. Your soul will still be lost. But you must walk further in the steps of the Scripture. You must principally keep in mind that these Wounds were made for your sins. They are the precious means by which your Salvation was paid. This is the Work on which all True Peace is built. Therefore although the Scripture presents the extremity of THE SAVIOUR'S Wounds, yet it speaks of them in the sweetest strains. In Song of Solomon 2.1, JESUS says: “I am the Rose of Sharon.” It is true, THE SAVIOUR was covered with Wounds and Blood. No man was marred like Him. But all this was as a sweet fragrance in the eyes of GOD. It satisfied for our sins. It brought in the Grace of GOD.

From today’s review of THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds, I’d have you to learn one great Truth. When you consider THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds, you consider THE SAVIOUR satisfying the greatest need of your soul. Some live and are hardly aware of their greatest need. They spend their full lives in toys and trifles. One of our American First Ladies spoke well when she said: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” In a much deeper sense, whole troops of millions of souls have been beguiled by wealth, riches, and honors. They run at these things with breakneck speed. All the while they are blind to their greatest need.

There are several theories respecting the greatest need of the human race. Those involved in our schools sometimes think the greatest need of the human race is more education. If all of us just learned more, all would be well. Those involved in the study of foods sometimes think the greatest need of the human race is more nutrition. If we all just stayed away from sugar, sodium, and fats, the woes of society would be cured. Those involved in health-care sometimes think that the greatest need is better health. If all of us just had good health-care, there would be peace. Those who are rich have sometimes stated that the greatest need is poverty. If all of us just had more income, all trouble would be over. Those involved in our modern civil authority sometimes think that the greatest need consists of more social programs. If only there were more social programs, all our cities and states would flourish.

But you know what GOD does in the Scripture? In the Scripture, GOD Himself comes down to us and gives His own Point of View. GOD’S Point of View is this. The real need of the human race is not more education, nutrition, health-care, money, or social programs. The deepest need of the human race is the Forgiveness of Sins and Peace with GOD. Society today has a very superficial view of its needs. They often think if they only get smarter, healthier, or richer, all their problems will vanish. But the problem of the human race is much more complex than this. For think of it. When THE SAVIOUR came down into this world and satisfied the greatest need of the human race, He was wounded from head to toe. There was not a foot that wasn’t wounded. There was not a hand that wasn’t wounded. He received thirty-nine stripes on His back. His side was pierced with a spear. His head wore the crown of thorns. With all these Wounds, THE SAVIOUR poured out His life and died at the Cross to pay the full price for sin. This is what it took to meet the greatest need of the human soul. GOD had to become Man. This GOD-Man, JESUS CHRIST, had to go to the Cross and die for our sins.

Friends, the Scripture records that one day King David was involved in war. While he was in war, he said out loud: “Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem!” As soon as those Words were spoken, three of his soldiers heard, went forth, hazarded their lives, and brought back the king his favorite, refreshing drink. II Samuel 23.14-17. But look what THE SAVIOUR did! We had sinned. This sin brought with it a complication of problems. Yet when THE SAVIOUR went out to the Cross, received His five Wounds, and came back, He did not bring to us superficial cures. He went deep. He met the deepest human need. He came back from the Cross with the soul-satisfying drink of the Forgiveness of Sins and Peace with GOD. The things of this world do not satisfy. You can drink and drink, but they leave the soul as dry as before. It’s only JESUS Who can truly satisfy the deep needs of the soul. Amen.

Sermon VIII.

I ASK YOU, when THE SAVIOUR created the world, how did He do it? First of all, have you ever thought how man would have created the world? Would he have used his favorite wood, concrete, or steel? Where would he have gone to get these things? Would he himself even be alive in such circumstances? When THE SAVIOUR created this world, Hebrews 11.3 says: “The worlds were framed by the word of God.” Which speaks that THE SAVIOUR spoke the Word. The very thing He spoke was instantly formed.

I have a second question. When THE SAVIOUR raised the dead, how did He do it? I call you to Luke Seven. In this Chapter, a young man was dead. His funeral was headed to the graveyard. Just then, THE SAVIOUR stood by the corpse and said: “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” The next Verse says: “He that was dead sat up, and began to speak.” Luke 7.11-15. This is how THE SAVIOUR always raised the dead. THE SAVIOUR spoke the Word. The dead was brought back to life.

I have a third question. When THE SAVIOUR healed the sick, how did He do it? I call you again to Luke Seven. A soldier’s servant was very sick. THE SAVIOUR was on His way into the soldier’s house to heal this servant. Just then, the soldier said to THE SAVIOUR that he was not worthy for THE SAVIOUR to come into his house. The soldier said: “Say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.” This came to pass swiftly and exactly. THE SAVIOUR spoke the Word and the servant was instantly cured. Luke 7.1-10. This is the most common means by which THE SAVIOUR healed the sick. He healed the sick with a Word.

Now, Friends, I would have you to think of all this. When THE SAVIOUR created the world, He only spoke the Word. When THE SAVIOUR raised the dead, He only spoke the Word. When THE SAVIOUR healed the sick, He only spoke the Word. But when THE SAVIOUR went forth to pay the price of the sins of those who trust Him, I’d have you to mark what He did. He didn’t just speak the Word. He didn’t say: “Peace be to you. I command down on your soul the Forgiveness of Sins.” No. Even from GOD Himself, this Work required much more. Before the Forgiveness of Sins could be given, the Justice of GOD had to be satisfied. Have you ever thought what would happen to society if there were no Justice in the courts? Things would be fancy in the court-rooms, but things would be horrible out on the streets. In the court-room, elaborate orations would be made. Yet in the end, crime would walk about unpunished with a bold face. And when it comes to GOD, GOD would not be GOD if He were not Just. It’s part of Who GOD is to hate and to judge sin. Therefore before the Forgiveness of Sins could be given, the Justice of GOD had to be satisfied. This is what JESUS did at the Cross. I John 1.9 says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” This Satisfaction of Justice separates and distinguishes the Salvation JESUS gives. This is what brings Peace to the Christian conscience.

Friends, of all the Works THE SAVIOUR has ever done, there is no Work that can compare with all He suffered to bring in the Forgiveness of Sins. First: Consider THE SAVIOUR Himself. Did THE SAVIOUR receive any Wounds when He created the world, raised the dead, or healed the sick? He did not receive one single Wound. But when THE SAVIOUR suffered to bring in the Forgiveness of Sins, He received not one Wound or two. He received five great Wounds. His soul passed through unspeakable suffering. He poured out His Life and died. If it took all this on THE SAVIOUR’S Part to bring in the Forgiveness of Sins, it must have been the Greatest Work He ever did. Second: Contemplate what the Scripture says. To receive the Forgiveness of Sins, what does the Scripture say? Not a few stumble here. Does GOD in the Scripture say that if you’ve been created, you receive the Forgiveness of Sins? Does GOD say if you’ve been healed, you receive the Forgiveness of Sins? GOD nowhere speaks these things. But the Scripture does say this. To be saved, GOD says you must accept THE SAVIOUR in your heart and believe that He died for your sins at the Cross. In the matter of Salvation, GOD has put JESUS and the Cross at the center. Everything hangs or falls on what you do with JESUS. This plainly shows that the Greatest Work THE SAVIOUR ever did consisted in His Sufferings at the Cross. When you believe in this Work, it is so powerful that it saves you, changes you, and makes you new.

Friends, I have one final question for you today. How is it with your soul today? I do not ask whether you believe THE SAVIOUR created the world. That ought to be clear to all the human race. I do not ask whether you believe THE SAVIOUR can heal. The real question that determines if you live in the Love of GOD and where your soul will go to in the next world is what have you done with JESUS and His Cross? Do you believe THE SAVIOUR died for you? Do you have such faith as that sin has been subdued in your life? Amen.

Sermon IX.

I INVITE you to a blessed reconsideration of THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds that were received at the Cross. I begin with His back. What happened to THE SAVIOUR’S back? His back was scourged thirty-nine times. But, you know, that’s no surprise. All His Life THE SAVIOUR bore the burdens of men. He rebuked the hardened sinner. He brought peace to the sorrowful. He poured Grace on the penitent. It’s not unusual then, but right in step, that when JESUS' back was needed the most, He bare His back and received the stripes. Think of THE SAVIOUR’S feet. They were always going somewhere to do some good. Sometimes, they went to heal the sick. Hour after hour, the multitudes sat at those feet to hear the Word of GOD. But look what happened at the end! Those feet were nailed to the Cross. Think of THE SAVIOUR’S hands. Those were holy hands. They were always employed in the Service of GOD. Sometimes, His hands healed the sick. Sometimes, they blessed the Children. One time, they saved a Disciple from drowning. But those hands did the most good of any hands in the world, when they were nailed to the Cross. Think of THE SAVIOUR’S side. It always yearned after THE FATHER. It always desired to do good to sinners. This side was pierced with a spear. Think of THE SAVIOUR’S head. It only thought good thoughts. It had nowhere to sleep. Someone once poured costly ointment on that head. This same head wore the crown of thorns.

The question I raise in the review today is this. What is the value of THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds? 1. These Wounds are the Way to GOD. You cannot go to GOD on your own. Your sins will stand out. Nor can you pretend as if you have not sinned. GOD does not accept pretending. Besides this, you can’t pay for your sins. Your sins cannot be erased by your good works. All which makes you both guilty and helpless before GOD. But the Scripture shows the Way. The Scripture says that if you confess your sins and receive THE SAVIOUR in your heart by faith as dying for your sins, these Wounds lift you high into the Favor of GOD. THE SAVIOUR said: “I am the Way; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14.6. 2. These Wounds teach you how to serve GOD. I believe it’s very right to say that when THE SAVIOUR laid down His Life at the Cross, He performed the Greatest Service to GOD that was ever performed in this world. Now when THE SAVIOUR performed this Greatest Act of Service, how did He do it? He did it with His back, His feet, His hands, His side, and His head. This shows how to serve GOD. Think of your back. THE SAVIOUR received thirty-nine stripes on His back. How can you serve GOD with your back? In this world, there are real burdens to be carried on our backs. Some do not know GOD. Some know GOD but are severely struggling. There also are the sad spiritual needs of the Country. I tell you, this is a praying time. If there’s ever a time to be praying, it’s now. There are so many spiritual needs around us. We cannot expect for GOD’S Kingdom to flourish in our times without our facing up to and bearing the spiritual needs of ourselves, our Families, and those around us. Therefore you must put in your shoulder, bear the burden, and pray. And what do you put on your back? Clothes. There is that expression that is still spoken. “The shirt off your back.” John 19.23,24 says that THE SAVIOUR placed on His back a very nice robe. This robe was so neat and clean that as He hung on the Cross, the soldiers desired it. This is a good way to dress. Romans 12.1,2 says that our bodies also are not to be conformed to this world but presented as “a living sacrifice” to THE LORD. Which intimates that even in the matter of dress, Christians ought to be careful to do right and serve THE LORD. Think of your feet. I encourage you, use your feet in the Service of GOD. You can walk to a Church Service. You can walk across the room to greet someone. You can use your feet to do good. Think of your hands. There is good work to be done with your hands. You can hold a Psalmbook, the Scripture, and good books. You can write someone who needs a word. You can give a gift. You can help someone. Think of your side. You can seek to Love GOD. You can desire to do good things. Think of your head. You can think pure thoughts. You can keep your mind as a House for GOD to live in. On your head is your mouth. People often do their most good or their most evil through the words they say. The precious gift of speech can be sweetly employed in the work of doing good.

I grant, some here might not have the strength of your legs or your arms anymore. But consider this. You still have your side and your head. You can devote these to the Service of GOD. Sometimes in life, you must keep this Rule in mind. If you cannot do as much good as you would like, you must specially concentrate on doing the good that you can. See Mark 14.8. Therefore I encourage you this day to fall in love with doing good. Would you enjoy life? Do good. Would you have peace and joy? Do good. Doing good is the sweetest work in this world. Yet the time is short. Judgment Day will be here soon. It’s then we’ll all give an account of all that we did with our backs, our feet, and all that we are. O, then, awake and be at it! THE SAVIOUR gave His all for us. Let’s seek to live for Him. Amen.

Sermon X.

THE SCRIPTURE says that when THE SAVIOUR died on the Cross for our sins, He received five great Wounds. His hands and feet were nailed. His back was scourged. His side was pierced. His head wore the crown of thorns. I have two questions to raise today. Does THE SAVIOUR still have these Wounds? If so, why?

I immediately begin. I. Does THE SAVIOUR still have His five Wounds? There are two proofs that THE SAVIOUR still has His five Wounds. First: How THE SAVIOUR appeared when He rose again from the dead. It is well known that the Scripture says THE SAVIOUR rose again from the dead on the third day. Acts 10.40. When THE SAVIOUR rose again, there THE SAVIOUR was alive from the dead. His Sufferings were finished. His outward Glory resumed. But, say, were the Wounds gone? No. John 20.24-29 says: “But Thomas said unto the Disciples, Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe.” “Then saith Jesus to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands: and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless but believing.” John 20.24-29. These Words speak that THE SAVIOUR didn’t leave His Wounds in the grave. He wore them afterwards. Second: Those Scriptures that speak of THE SAVIOUR and how He is today still refer to His Wounds. For one example, think of what the Angel said just as JESUS ascended up and returned to THE FATHER. In Acts 1.11, the Angel said: “This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into Heaven.” “This same Jesus.” Which speaks the Wounds are on Him still. For a second example, think of the Words of the Apostle John. When the Apostle saw THE SAVIOUR after THE SAVIOUR returned to THE FATHER, the Apostle said that THE SAVIOUR looked like “a Lamb as it had been slain.” Revelation 5.6. Which shows that the Apostle called THE SAVIOUR “a Lamb.” That had been done before in the Old Testament. But look what else. A Lamb “as it had been slain.” This last part clearly speaks that although THE SAVIOUR is well and alive, yet His appearance is as if He was slain. His Wounds remain on Him still.

II. Why THE SAVIOUR still wears His Wounds. First of all, think if THE SAVIOUR had never risen from the dead. In that case, THE SAVIOUR’S Wounds would be something of years gone by. The Wounds would not be seen again. The Value of the Wounds would be rudely and disrespectfully stuffed among the events of the past. These Wounds would stand on the low par of other things. But the Fact that THE SAVIOUR rose again from the dead, now sits on the right hand of THE FATHER, and displays His Wounds in that radiant place—all this adds a further luster to these Wounds and places them in a class nonpareil. In this peculiar circumstance, the Wounds do not signify that THE SAVIOUR was conquered by death. Instead, the Wounds ever present to THE FATHER that a Sacrifice for sin was successfully made at the Cross for those who trust in Him. This single Fact creates the leading atmosphere in Heaven. THE SAVIOUR successfully accomplished the Sacrifice for sin! On THE FATHER'S side, this heavenly display will keep True Christians in the Favor of GOD for all eternity. Moment by moment, they will glide forward in the uninterrupted Grace of GOD. On their side, the Divine display of these Wounds will serve as the brightest reminder why True Christians ever arrived there. It was not because of themselves. It was because of CHRIST JESUS THE LORD.

As I speak to you today, Above, in Heaven, the Scripture says there are all sorts of beautiful sights. In Fact, one of the distinguishing characteristics of Heaven is how beautiful the place is. Heaven is a place of perfect beauty. There is no place GOD ever created that is so beautiful as Heaven. The glory of Earth cannot be compared to the Glory of Heaven. In many respects, mankind himself has become ugly and has made this world an ugly place. Too oftentimes this world is a place of sorrow and crying. And why? Depressing expressions of darkness have littered this sphere. But in Heaven, Revelation 21.12 speaks of “a wall of jasper.” Revelation 21.23 says there is no need of sunshine up there. Revelation 22.5 says there is no night up there. Revelation 21.4 says there is no sorrow or crying whatsoever that can be heard throughout the place. But the greatest sight of all in that Fair Land of Unspeakable Bliss is THE SAVIOUR all dressed up in the beauty of His Wounds. Up there, no one forgets THE SAVIOUR. No one can! JESUS is the Hallelujah of the Angels. For THE SAVIOUR in eternal springtime sits on Mount Zion with the resplendent badges of the the Greatest Work of His hands. Song of Solomon 2.1 says JESUS is the Red Rose of Sharon. He and His Wounds constitute the eternal fixture in Heaven. This is the “nail in a sure place.” Isaiah 22.23. From this sublime source, the fragrance of JESUS' Merit fills Glory. This is Heaven's native air. Revelation 8.3,4 compared with I Timothy 2.5 speak that incense from THE SAVIOUR’S hands ascends up continually before THE FATHER. This is why Heaven has any people in it—has the sound of singing—has Peace—and is filled with heart-felt Adoration. For JESUS and His Wounds have removed to Heaven. There, they are presented in everlasting exhibit. No more will man add to these Wounds. What was rejected by man, this very Person and these very Wounds have been set up by THE FATHER as the Way into Eternal Life.

Before I leave you today, let me ask you this question. What are you trusting in to win the smile of GOD? There are some, it is true, who do not care for GOD or their own souls. Yet they will One Day. But among us who seek to win GOD’S smile, I think down in all our hearts we all trust in a special something to win for us the smile of GOD. What are you trusting in? Some trust in their supposed personal goodness. They look to such things as their prayers, their studies, and their good works. They think: “If I try hard, I will earn my way and THE FATHER will accept me.” But, Friends, may I show from Scripture what THE FATHER thinks of this plan? In the end, the only thing that counts is what He thinks. Isaiah 64.6 says that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Would you present filthy rags to THE FATHER and depend on them to win His smile? From the beginning to the end, the Scripture commends to our faith JESUS CHRIST. Luke 2.13,14 says that when THE SAVIOUR was born, the Angels sang. Matthew 3.16,17 says that when THE SAVIOUR lived, THE FATHER said more than once: “This is My Beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” See also Matthew 17.5. And now, I showed in your hearing today that THE SAVIOUR sits in the highest rank in Heaven. In His Work as SAVIOUR, He is the topmost stone in THE FATHER'S Favour. Therefore if you want THE FATHER’S smile, you must come to THE SAVIOUR. He calls you. “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11.28. What is the “rest” THE SAVIOUR gives? It’s THE FATHER’S smile. No soul can rest till it finds its rest in GOD. THE SAVIOUR'S Wounds are the windows in which you stare into the face of a reconciled GOD. Amen.