The Father, therefore, in giving them to him to save them, must declare to us the following things:
First, he can answer this design of God, to wit, to save them from the uttermost sin, the uttermost temptation, &c. (Heb 7:25). Hence he is said to lay “help upon one that is mighty,” “mighty to save” (Psa 89:19; Isa 63:1), and hence it is again, that God did even of his old promise to send his people “a Saviour, a great one” (Isa 19:20). To save is a great work, and calls for almightiness in the undertaker: hence, he is called the “Mighty God, the Wonderful Counsellor,” &c. Sin is strong, Satan is also strong, death and the grave are strong, and so is the curse of the law; therefore, it follows, that this Jesus must need to be, by God the Father, accounted almighty, in that he has given his elect to him to save them and deliver them from them, despite all their force and power.
And he gave us testimony of his might when he was employed in that part of our deliverance that called for a declaration of it. He abolished death; he destroyed him that had the power of death; he was the destruction of the grave; he hath finished sin, and made an end of it, as to its damning effects upon the persons that the Father hath given him; he hath vanquished the curse of the law, nailed it to his cross, triumphed over them upon his cross, and made a show of these things openly (2 Tim 1:10; Heb 2:14,15; Hosea 13:14; Dan 9:24; Gal 3:13; Col 2:14,15). Yea, and even now, as a sign of his triumph and conquest, he is alive from the dead and has the keys of hell and death in his own keeping (Rev 1:18).
Second, the Father’s giving of them to him to save them, declares unto us that he is and will be faithful in his office of Mediator and that therefore they shall be secured from the fruit and wages of their sins, which is eternal damnation, by his faithful execution of it. And, indeed, it is said, even by the Holy Ghost himself, that he “was faithful to him that appointed him,” that is, to this work of saving those that the Father has given him for that purpose; as “Moses was faithful in all his house.” Yea, and more faithful too, for Moses was faithful in God’s house but as a servant; “but Christ as a Son over his own house” (Heb 3). And therefore this man is counted worthy of more glory than Moses, even upon this account, because he is more faithful than he is, as well as because of the dignity of his person. Therefore, in him, and in his truth and faithfulness, God rested well pleased, and he has put all the government of this people upon his shoulders. Knowing that nothing shall be wanting in him, that may in any way perfect this design. And of this, he, to wit, the Son, has already given proof. For when the time came that his blood was, by Divine justice, required for their redemption, washing, and cleansing, he freely poured it out of his heart, as if it had been water out of a vessel; not sticking to part with his own life, that the life that was laid up for his people in heaven might not fail to be bestowed upon them. And upon this account, as well as upon any other, it is that God calleth him “my righteous servant” (Isa 53:11). For his righteousness could never have been complete, if he had not been to the uttermost faithful to the work he undertook; it is also, because he is faithful and true, that in righteousness he doth judge and make work for his people’s deliverance. He will faithfully perform the trust reposed in him. The Father knows this and has therefore given his elect to him.
Third, the Father’s giving of them to him, to save them, declares that he is, and will be gentle, and patient towards them, under all their provocations and miscarriages. It is not to be imagined, the trials and provocations that the Son of God has all along had with these people that have been given to him that save them: indeed, he is said to be “a tried stone;” for he has been tried, not only by the devil, guilt of sin, death, and the curse of the law, but also by his people’s ignorance, unruliness, falling into sin, and declining to errors in life and doctrine. Were we not capable of seeing how this Lord Jesus has been tried even by his people, Ever since there was one of them in the world, we should be amazed at his patience and gentleness toward them. It is indeed said, “The Lord is very pitiful, slow to anger, and of great mercy.” And, indeed, if he had not been so, he could never have endured their manners as he has done from Adam hitherto. Therefore, his pity and bowels towards his church are preferred above the pity and bowels of a mother towards her child. “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion for the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee,” saith the Lord (Isa 49:15).
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