The Redeemer
by John Abraham
"Thy Redeemer"- Isaiah 54:5
Jesus, the Redeemer, is altogether ours and ours for ever.
All the offices of Christ are held on our behalf. He is king for us, priest
for us, and prophet for us. Whenever we read a new title of the Redeemer,
let us appropriate Him as ours under that name as much as under any other.
The shepherd's staff, the father's rod, the captain's sword, the priest's
mitre, the prince's sceptre, the prophet's mantle, all are ours.
Jesus hath no dignity which He will not employ for our exaltation, and no
prerogative which He will not exercise for our defense. His fullness of
Godhead is our unfailing, inexhaustible treasure-house.
His manhood also, which he took upon him for us, is ours in all its
perfection. To us our gracious Lord communicates the spotless virtue of a
stainless character; to us he gives the meritorious efficacy of a devoted
life; on us he bestows the reward procured by obedient submission and
incessant service.
He makes the unsullied garment of his life our covering beauty; the
glittering virtues of his character our ornaments and jewels; and the
superhuman meekness of his death our boast and glory. He bequeaths us his
manger, from which to learn how God came down to man; and his Cross to teach
us how man may go up to God. All His thoughts, emotions, actions,
utterances, miracles, and intercessions, were for us.
He trod the road of sorrow on our behalf, and hath made over to us as his
heavenly legacy the full results of all the labors of his life.
He is now as much ours as heretofore; and he blushes not to acknowledge
himself "our Lord Jesus Christ," though he is the blessed and only
Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
Christ everywhere and every way is our Christ, for ever and ever most richly
to enjoy.
O my soul, by the power of the Holy Spirit! call him this morning, "thy
Redeemer."