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Heavenly Aspirations!
by John MacDuff
A bleeding Savior seen by faith,
A sense of pardoning love,
A hope that triumphs over death,
Give joys like those above!
INTRODUCTION
In the experience of every Christian there are manyfluctuations. At one time,graceis in lively exercise, and the soul is filled with peace in believing. At another time, the divine life seems to languish, and gloomy fears prevail. There are seasons when the tide ofassurancereaches, what may be called, high-water mark; and the believer, basking in the full sunshine of God's reconciled countenance, is enabled to rejoice with exceeding joy! Precious moments, whenfaithis vigorous, whenhopeis bright and beaming, and whenlovefills the heart even to overflowing! But soon, alas! the scene changes. The spiritual sky is overcast. Where all was clear and cloudless — thick darkness spreads its gloomy shadows around; and the spirit so recently triumphing in the exuberance of its bliss, is now filled with dejection, and goes mourning because of the oppression of the enemy.
Should it be with the reader what the prophet terms "a cloudy and dark day," let him be assured that there is only One who can turn the shadow of death, into the morning. Christ is the light of life; his gracious beams can scatter the thickest mists, and restore to the downcast, and even to the despairing, the joys of his salvation.
It was not by viewing and mourning over their wounds, that the bitten Israelites were cured — but by simplylooking at the brazen serpent. So, if we are for having our stripes healed, our strength renewed, our doubts removed, our darkness turned to day — we must turn our eyes to Him who is exalted at God's right hand as a Prince and Savior. It is his exclusive prerogative "to comfort those who mourn, to give them beauty — for ashes, the oil of joy — for mourning, and the garment of praise — for the spirit of heaviness."
[[@Page:2]]The following exercises, intended for thedaily useof the believer, have immediate reference to the Lord Jesus. The things concerning Him, in his person and work, his character and offices, his perfect obedience and vicarious death, and especially his glorious exaltation — are the subjects set forth in this small volume. May the reader's meditation of Him, as thus exhibited, be sweet and profitable! May the Eternal Spirit, the glorifier of Jesus, take of these things, andrevealthem in their intrinsic beauty, andapplythem in their saving efficacy, to his mind! And may both writer and reader, even should they happen to differ on some matters, be one in saying — "Jesus first! Jesus last! Jesus without end!"
The Enthroned Redeemer!
"Therefore God also has highlyexaltedhim, and given him a name which is above every name!" Philippians 2:9
Thehumiliationand theexaltationof Christ are closely connected, and the former is frequently set forth as the ground of the latter. Our thoughts should be devoutly fixed uponbothof these amazing scenes — his suffering and death on the one hand; and his being crowned with glory and honor, on the other hand.
Our Lord's earthly condition was one of extreme poverty: "The foxes had holes, and the birds of the air had nests, but the Son of man had nowhere to lay his head." Not merely did he assume our nature in its lowest form — but he endured opposition, indignities, and sufferings of every kind. Hischeekwas smitten, hisfacewas spat upon, histempleswere pierced with prickly thorns, hisbackwas ploughed with scourges, hishandsandfeetwere nailed with iron spikes to the accursed tree. His burningthirstwas heightened with vinegar and gall, his last prayers were turned to ridicule, and his dying groans were converted into impious mockeries.Menreviled him,Satanbuffeted him; and, in his last extremity, evenGodforsook him! But he bore it all without a single murmur — and he bore it all alone. "When he was reviled, he reviled not again, when he suffered he threatened not — but committed himself to him that judges righteously."
The awful tragedy of Calvary, in all his circumstances of woe, stands in dread prominence above all that the annals of time have ever recorded. Many strange events had taken place before now — but never was there such an event as this! Upon affecting spectacles in abundance, had the sun shone — but the sun veiled his face in mourning when thePrince of life expired. On the disastrous flood, on the burning cities of the plain, on the sea-sunk legions of Egypt, on the hosts of Sennacherib prostrate beneath the angel's blast — the sun looked down, as it were, with bright [[@Page:3]]indifference; but when the greatSuretywas suspended on the cross, to gaze at such a spectacle unappalled was impossible.
But thecrosswas the way to thecrown. Having reached the climax of suffering — the scales were turned, and there followed the recompense of the reward. All the conditions which the economy of redemption rendered necessary being complied with, nothing remained but thehonorset before him, an honor proportioned to the depth of his previous disgrace.
It is generally supposed that there is a regular gradation of created beings, each intermediate space being filled up from the crawling worm to the loftiest archangel. But however complete the scale may be, and however high it may he carried — our exalted Prince and Savior is infinitely raised above them all. Are there thrones and dominions? He is transcendently above them. The celestial hierarchy may rise in rank and dignity, higher and still higher; but however vast their elevation, we are only stating a clear scriptural truth when we say, that He is exalted, "far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything!"
Let the children of Zion rejoice in theexaltationof their King. He dies no more; his agonizing pangs are over; the contradiction of sinners, their scoffs and reproaches, are among theformerthings which have forever passed away. Once he was a sign to be spoken against, but now saints and seraphs fall at his feet, and extol him in canticles of rapturous adoration! May we, even here, catch some measure of their spirit, and be prepared by almighty grace for joining them in their ceaseless strains above!
Altogether lovely!
"You are the most excellent of men! Gracious words stream from your lips. God himself has blessed you forever." Psalm 45:2
It is worthy of notice that all the lovely graces which adorned the Savior's character, were possessed by him in equal proportion. There were no special features which had a preponderance over the rest. In contrast, among Christians this is generally the case — they have some distinctive traits by which they are peculiarly distinguished. But in the Lord Jesus we do not find any single virtue shining above another; and it was thiscombination, in all their fullness, of thediversified qualities which constitute moral beauty, that raised him so far above the fairest of men. When an individual excels in one or a few points, it is implied as a matter of course, that in other respects [[@Page:4]]there is some deficiency; but in a nature that is altogether perfect, this is impossible. Thus,"the man Christ Jesus," being endowed withabsolute perfection, was in reference to every separate particular alike, "perfect and entire, lacking nothing."
"What is your beloved more than another beloved?" was the question put to the spouse in the book of Canticles. She proceeds with her reply, wherein she specifies, in the most glowing manner, the various parts of his person. But, as if conscious of the feebleness of her description, and that she was totally inadequate to do full justice to so transcendent a theme, she seems to say, "Why do Iparticularizethus, since his charms are such that no mortal tongue can tell? This, however, I can say — thathe is altogether lovely, and he has in consequence ravished my heart, O daughters of Jerusalem!"
Blessed Jesus! who is like unto you? Who among the sons of the mighty can be brought into comparison with you? What arewarriorswith all their exploits,philosopherswith all their learning,princeswith ail their pomp? Their attractions when compared with yours, sink at once into perfect insignificance. Without a single rival do you stand unapproachable and alone — theone grand epitome of all majesty and might. You are theglorious sunof the spiritual sky, before whose effulgent beams other luminaries disappear; all hide their diminished heads, and vanish at the brightness of your rising!
But who can show forth all your praise? The afflicted patriarch lacked words to express his grief, and we feel a similar lack while endeavoring to express your glory. Were we to take the wings of the morning, and flee to the uttermost parts of the earth; were we to ransack the numberless treasures of creation in all their vast varieties; were we to plunge into the depths beneath, and soar to the heights above; yes, were we to survey the celestial hosts, those countless myriads of spotless beings who encircle the everlasting throne, and whose radiant brows are still as unwrinkled as when, in the freshness of their immortal youth and vigor, they celebrated the birth of time in songs of glowing ardor — but even they, when placed beside you, are less than nothing and vanity:
their robes of light — are but sackcloth;
their beauty — is offensive;
their wisdom — is foolish;
their sanctity — is impure.
May the Holy Spirit, the glorifier of Jesus, reveal more and more of his loveliness to our minds! May the thick clouds and vapors which so often obscure our mental vision be dispersed; so that, beholding as in a mirrorhis matchless character, we may be led to regard him as the object of our warmest love, and most devout adoration!
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The Prophet's Testimony
"He shall be lifted up, and extolled, and be greatly exalted!" Isaiah 52:13
This sure word of prophecy was literally and most gloriously verified when the incarnate Redeemer, after having finished the work which was given him to do, was taken up into Heaven, and sat down on the right hand of God — with angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. In order, therefore, to witness its fulfillment, we mustascend in imagination to the abodes above, and behold him as he appearsthere. Often are we invited to contemplate his state of humiliation, and hold fellowship with him in his sufferings; but now another scene is presented, which ought to excite within us feelings of wonder, love, and praise.
"Come see the place where the Lord lay!" was the invitation given on the morning of his resurrection. But we are at present called upon to see thethrone on which he reigns!O wondrous transformation!
Thatmeek and lowly One, who had been despised and rejected — is now adored by all the heavenly hosts!
Thatface, once covered with spitting, and furrowed with tears — is now gazed upon with transporting admiration!
Thatbrow, once bound with thorns — is now encircled with a splendor before which suns turn pale!
Thosehandswhich were nailed to the bloody tree — now grasp the scepter of universal dominion!
Thatignominious cross— is exchanged for heaven's highest throne!
Thatcrown of thorns— is exchanged for a diadem of everlasting glory!
But he shall be exalted on the earth. As sure as he is now seated upon the right hand of the Majesty on high, so surely will he take to himself his great power, and reign as sole monarch over a regenerated world. As inseparable is the connection between his obedience unto death, and his spiritual exaltation among men, as his personal exaltation in the heavenly kingdom. Most clearly is that connection shown in innumerable passages of the sacred volume.
[[@Page:6]]The twenty-second Psalm, which opens with his solemn exclamation,"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"and which runs, verse after verse, through every mood of sadness, closes with the cheering assurance, that "all the ends of the earth shall worship before him!" The most mournful of the ancient predictions first shows him as despised and afflicted, and then as having the many for his portion, and the mighty for his spoil. Thestonewhich the builders rejected, is immediately seen as having become thecornerstoneand theheadstone.
"Say this to those who worship other gods: Yourso-called gods, who did not make the heavens and earth, will vanish from the earth and from under the heavens!" Their doom is sealed. Of whatever antiquity they can boast, and however numerous their deluded votaries; yet this is the decree that is gone forth, "they shall perish!" "The gods many and lords many," are to be swept away with an utter destruction.
But Jesus shall live; his name shall endure forever; men shall be blessed in him; all nations shall call him blessed. His enemies, whether heathen idols, or anti-Christian powers, or atheistic scoffers, or the masses of the impenitent and unbelieving — shall be clothed with shame; but upon himself shall his crown flourish. The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low; and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. Haste, happy time! of which all the prophets have spoken since the world began.
Arise, O King of grace! Gird your sword upon your thigh, and march onward from conquering still to conquer. "Come forth out of your royal chambers, O Prince of all the kings of the earth! Put on the visible robes of your imperial majesty; take up that unlimited scepter which your Almighty Father has bequeathed you; for now the voice of your bride calls you, and all creatures sigh to be renewed!" "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns!" Revelation 19:6
The Great Philanthropist!
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich — yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich!" 2 Corinthians 8:9
When our Lord dwelt among men, so extreme was His poverty — that He had nothing which He could call His own! If we follow Him through the whole of His memorable career, we shall find that He had to borrow whatever He needed.
[[@Page:7]]Did He ride in solemn state, amid the acclamations of the people, to the Jewish capital? The humble beast on which He was mounted was not His own — but belonged to another.
Did He join with His little flock in celebrating the Pascal supper on the night before He died? The upper room in which they assembled, was a borrowed room.
Was there a garden to which He was in the habit of resorting in order to enjoy secret communion with His Heavenly Father? That garden, fraught with such hallowed associations, was a borrowed garden.
Did He cross from coast to coast for the purpose of performing His deeds of mercy, and of announcing the joyful tidings of pardon and peace to the ignorant and guilty? The fishing-boats which conveyed Him on these compassionate errands were borrowed boats.
Yes, if we go back to the time of His birth — the place in which He was born was a borrowed place; and, while He was born in another man's stable — He was also buried in another man's grave. Although all things were made by Him — yet His circumstances were so destitute, that He was dependent for everything upon the charity of others.
To so poor and humiliating a lot, was the Lord of life and glory subjected. "The foxes had holes, and the birds of the air had nests — but He had nowhere to lay His head!"
AndWHYdid He assume such a debased condition? It was "for our sakes." In Hisdeep poverty, as well as the othernumberless woesto which He voluntarily submitted — His unselfish compassion was signally displayed — therein the kindness and love, the yearning pity and matchless philanthropy, of God our Savior appeared.
All that He did and suffered — was for us!
He was made a curse — for us!
He gave Himself to die — for us!
He obtained eternal redemption — for us!
And although his privations and distresses have been long since exchanged for the realms and royalties above — yet the spirit by which he is actuated is still the same. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us."
[[@Page:8]]The contemplation of the Redeemer's unselfish humiliation, ought to shame us out of that selfish spirit to which we are so prone.SELFhas been truly called the great antichrist; not merely that which was to be manifested in the latter days — but which has characterized every age of the world's, and in no small measure, of the church's history. "For all seek their own," says the apostle, "not the things which are Jesus Christ's."