Divers sermons of Master John Calvin, concerning the divinity, humanity, and nativity of our…Diuers sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, concerning the diuinitie, humanitie, and natiuitie of our…

And therefore it was not in vain, that he was called the servant of God. Now, this ought to be no strange thing unto us: But this should be much more strange unto us, that Jesus Christ being the very Son of God,¹ and coequal with God his Father in glory, should become a servant to men (as it is said in the Gospel after Saint John) and so abase him self under this condition,² as that he would serve us: and yet notwithstanding it was so in deed. Mark also why he said, I was conversant amongst you as a servant, and not as a Master.

And therefore it was not in vaine, that hée was called the seruaunt of God. Now, this ought to be no straunge thing vnto vs: But this should be much more strange vnto vs, that Iesus Christ being the verie Sonne of God,¹ and coequall with God his Father in glorie, should become a seruant to men (as it is saide in the Gospell after Saint Iohn) and so abase him selfe vnder this condition,² as that hée woulde serue vs: and yet notwithstanding it was so in déede. Marke also why hée saide, I was conuersaunt amongst you as a seruant, and not as a Maister.

1. 1John. 17.9.Iohn. 17.9.
2. 2Mat. 20.28

Now, since it is so, that Jesus Christ became so humble, as to make him self the servant of men, it is not for naught then that he is here called the servant of God. And to say the truth, he could not otherwise have redeemed us. I speak now in respect that God his Father had so decreed it, as we have already heretofore said. For, I know that God could, if it had pleased him have saved us without any mean, But we are always to presuppose that it was Jesus Christ which must purchase life for us. And therefore, for the bringing of this matter to pass, it was eftsoons meet that he should become a servant: because he could not otherwise have yielded his obedience unto God his Father: and without this obedience, it was impossible for him to have repaired our transgressions and iniquities. Thus then we see why he was called a righteous servant. To be short, the Prophet doeth us to wit, that because we were, and yet are, rebels to God, until such time as he hath reformed us by his holy spirit: and again, although after he hath given us the touch of a good mind, yet are we unprofitable servants, and trip and stumble every hand while: and besides, when we shall think that the service which we do him, should be well accepted of him, yet may it be very well amended, yea & worthy to be rejected: and therefore for the blotting out of our offences, it was meet that the service and obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ should please God: and that it should also carry with it a right and full satisfaction. This then is the sum and effect of his meaning. And hereupon we are to gather, that Jesus Christ did not only justify us in that he was God, but through the power of his obedience, in that he took upon him our nature, and therein would accomplish and fulfil the law, which was impossible for us to do, because it was such a burden as would have pressed us all down, and have broken our necks. Forsomuch then as our Lord Jesus Christ forsook himself for our salvation, and became obedient unto God his Father, we see in what sort he hath justified us. Now, he speaketh also namely of his knowledge, meaning thereby to express, that it was not enough that our Lord Jesus Christ performed in his own person, all whatsoever that was necessary for our salvation, but that we also should take fast hold thereof by faith.