God-centered resources from the ministry of John Piper

At the conference last weekend, we were challenged to see anew and savor more deeply the precious treasure of Jesus Christ. One helpful way to do this is by meditating on the humiliation of Christ; by pondering and contemplating the cross-work of Jesus Christ. On the flight home yesterday, my soul was (again!) aided in this regard by our friend Jonathan Edwards:

[Christ’s humiliation] was never so great as it was, in his last sufferings, beginning with his agony in the garden, till he expired on the cross. Never was he subject to such ignominy as then, never did he suffer so much pain in his body, or so much sorrow in his soul. Never was he in so great an exercise of his condescension, humility, meekness, and patience, as he was in these last sufferings. Never was his divine glory and majesty covered with so thick and dark a veil. Never did he so empty himself and make himself of no reputation, as at this time. And yet, never was his divine glory so manifested, by any act of his, as in yielding himself up to these sufferings. When the fruit of it came to appear, and the mystery and ends of it to be unfolded in its issue, then did the glory of it appear, [and] then did it appear as the most glorious act of Christ that ever he exercised towards the creature.

– 1736, "The Excellency of Christ"