Jesus Is Our Surety

This morning we studied the judgment seat of Christ, for it is the horrible and certain end of all men.
But tonight I want to remind you of our glorious Mediator and Surety with God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Surety. A person who undertakes some specific responsibility on behalf of another who remains primarily liable; one who makes himself liable for the default or miscarriage of another, or for the performance of some act on his part (e.g. payment of a debt, appearance in court for trial, etc.).
We have surety bonds, performance bonds, bail, and bond to guarantee legal, financial, and professional obligations, such as with construction and insurance companies.
When we need to borrow more than our credit allows, we appreciate a surety; if we were arrested for something, we would appreciate the surety bond that lets us go free.
Judah became a surety for Benjamin to his father Jacob (Gen 43:8-10; 44:30-34; 42:37).
Aaron became a surety for Israel in their sins and stood between them (Num 16:41-48).

Jesus, a High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, was made the Surety of His people.
1. God chose Jesus from among the people to be the mighty Surety (Psalm 89:19).
2. He was made Surety by God’s oath at His ordination as our Priest (Heb 7:21).
3. Jesus did the will of God perfectly as our Surety for our salvation (Heb 10:5-14).
Being a surety means paying debts and performing, where the needy cannot pay or do.
1. The wages of sin is death, which God’s justice pays; but Jesus died (Rom 6:23).
2. Only the undefiled enter heaven, so He lived faultlessly for us (Jude 1:24-25).
Jesus was necessary as a surety, for the justice of God must surely be paid (Rom 3:26).
He is the Testator, for it was by His death that He put the covenant in force (Heb 9:15).
We see Him under the strain of the Surety engagement in Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-44).
No man in heaven or earth could approach the throne, but only our Surety (Rev 5:1-14).
If this is not a Surety, successfully finishing His work, what is it (Isaiah 53:4-12)?
The doctrine of representation by the Second Adam reveals our Surety (Rom 5:15-19).
The Lord Jesus tasted death for every one of His children to deliver them (Heb 2:9-17).
How else can we look at the Book of Life, but as the list of His Surety engagements!

The Lord Jesus fulfilled the righteousness of the law on our behalf (Rom 8:3-4), so that we are righteous in God’s sight with His perfect obedience (Eph 5:25-27; Col 1:21-22).
The Lord Jesus paid the penalty for sins by His death for us (I Pet 2:24), so that there are no more sins against our charge when we stand before Him (John 1:29; Heb 9:28).
He lives to make sure we are absolutely, completely, and eternally saved (Heb 7:25).
There is an abundant entrance into heaven waiting for the children of God (II Pet 1:11).
Since Jesus is our Surety, it is impossible for God to withhold blessings (Romans 8:32).
His death reconciled us to God, but He still lives to be an eternal Surety (Romans 5:10).

There is no fear in the proper knowledge of Christ Jesus our Saviour (II Timothy 1:12).
The LORD will show us His secret and covenant, if we fear and seek Him (Ps 25:14).
We must learn to trust Him. He has done it; He is in heaven for us; He will receive us.
It is simple: “Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed” (Rom 9:33; 10:8-11).
A woman was healed and had her faith commended, when it was weak (Mark 5:25-34).
Those who lack faith and assurance, I ask how many minutes you spend seeking Him.
And you should consider long and seriously His faithful words “no wise” in John 6:37.
We should seek and receive the benefits of the covenant in our hearts (Eph 3:14-19).
Let us bring forth the fruit of righteousness with far-sighted vision (II Peter 1:9-11).

The Lord’s supper is a memorial feast of our Surety’s covenant death for us (I Corinthians 11:23-26).
Let us partake of the Lord’s supper tonight with the joy that His suretiship should put in our hearts.