# “There is one foundation of hope and peace for sinners” by J.C. Ryle

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2022/02/21/there-is-one-foundation-of-hope-and-peace-for-sinners-by-j-c-ryle/
- Published: 2022-02-21T12:00:58-06:00
- Author: tollelege

“This passage shows us that _the Old Testament saints in glory take a deep interest
in Christ’s atoning death_.

We are told that when Moses and Elijah appeared in glory with our Lord on the Mount
of Transfiguration, they ‘talked with Him.’ (**Luke 9:30**) And what was the subject
of their conversation?

We are not obliged to make conjectures and guesses about this. St. Luke tells us,‘
they spake of His decease, which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.’ (**Luke 9:31**)

They knew the meaning of that death. They knew how much depended on it. Therefore
they ‘talked’ about it.

It is a grave mistake to suppose that holy men and women under the Old Testament
knew nothing about the sacrifice which Christ was to offer up for the sin of the
world.

Their light, no doubt, was far less clear than ours. They saw things afar off and
indistinctly, which we see, as it were, close at hand.

But there is not the slightest proof that any Old Testament saint ever looked to
any other satisfaction for sin, but that which God promised to make by sending Messiah.

From Abel downwards the whole company of old believers appear to have been ever 
resting on a promised sacrifice, and a blood of almighty efficacy yet to be revealed.

From the beginning of the world there has never been but one foundation of hope 
and peace for sinners—the death of an Almighty Mediator between God and man.

That foundation is the centre truth of all revealed religion. It was the subject
of which Moses and Elijah were seen speaking when they appeared in glory. They spoke
of the atoning death of Christ.

Let us take heed that this death of Christ is the ground of all our confidence. 
Nothing else will give us comfort in the hour of death and the day of judgment.

Our own works are all defective and imperfect. Our sins are more in number than 
the hairs of our heads. (**Psalm 40:12**)

Christ dying for our sins, and rising again for our justification, must be our only
plea, if we wish to be saved.

Happy is that man who has learned to cease from his own works, and to glory in nothing
but the cross of Christ!

If saints in glory see in Christ’s death so much beauty, that they must needs talk
of it, how much more ought sinners on earth!”

–J.C. Ryle, [_Expository Thoughts on Luke_](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1848711301?tag=toletaupanre-20)(
Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1858/2012), 1: 241-242. Ryle is commenting on **Luke
9:28-36**.

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