January 16

Third Week in Advent.—Monday

Behold, I send My messenger before Thy Face, which shall prepare Thy way before Thee. S. Matthew 11:10.

UNDER the Old Testament dispensation people were to be saved by a Saviour Who was to come, by a Lamb that was to be slain; we are saved by the Blood of that Lamb Who has been slain and has taken away sins. Adam confessed his sins in the garden of Eden, and receiving his penance to eat his bread in the sweat of his brow, heard the first whisper of absolution, "The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent." David confessing his sins before Nathan the prophet, humbling himself before the people, though he had to smart for his sin, yet could hear the word of God's forgiveness from the lips of man, "The Lord also hath put away thy sin." While Saul, on the contrary, excusing his sins before Samuel, impenitent, only caring that Samuel should honour him before the people, is given up by the prophet as hopeless, so that Samuel never came to see Saul again till the day of his death. Nehemiah in times of trial confessed a nation's sin. The high priest every year confessed the sins of the people over the scape-goat. The people of Israel confessed their sins over the heads of innocent victims, and might hope for pardon by virtue of that spotless sacrifice that was to be offered by our Lord Jesus Christ, Himself the Victim and Himself the Priest. S. John the Baptist, baptizing the people, "confessing their sins," told them of the greater nearness of forgiveness when he said, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," and as he pointed out the Saviour, "Behold the Lamb of God Which taketh away the sins of the world." We say in the Creed that we believe in "the forgiveness of sins," and that our blessed Lord has purchased this forgiveness at the price of His most precious Blood.

Give praise to God.