December 17

The word of Christ. - Colossians 3:16.

THE Scriptures are a revelation of Christ. “These things,” says the Apostle John, “are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Son of Cod, and that believing ye might have life through his name;” and therefore they are called “the word of Christ,” not only because he is their Author, but because he is their theme; not only because it is a revelation from him, but also of him; he is the subject of the whole; and if we search the Scriptures we shall find this to be the fact; for “they testify of me,” says the Saviour.

He here referred to the Old Testament Scriptures, of the treasures of which he is the key, by which alone we can open them, and make these stores of knowledge our own. This will appear if we take the historical parts, if we look through the Bible at all the eminently pious characters recorded there.

In Adam we see him as the federal head and representative of his people. In Noah as the restorer of a new world. In Joseph we see him sold by his brethren, and then saving them, as being humbled and exalted. In Moses we see him as the Lawgiver. In Aaron as the High Priest of our profession. In Joshua as the Captain of our salvation, as Leader and Commander to the people. In Solomon as the Prince of peace. And if we take the Levitical part of Scripture, we shall find him all here. We shall see him in the manna, as the bread which came down from heaven; in the waters of the smitten rock, as the consolation of Israel, and the source of all those refreshing supplies that attend us in our wanderings through the wilderness. We see him in the table of shew-bread; and in the mercy-seat as the propitiation for our sins. In the passover as the lamb whose blood, sprinkled upon the conscience, secures us from the destroying angel; and in the bleeding lamb that was offered, the blood which cleanseth from all sin. In all these, and in the tabernacle and the temple, we shall find that they were shadows of good things to come, of which the body was Christ.

Then if we examine the prophetical Scriptures we shall find that he is all there too. To him gave all the prophets witness, some more partially, others more fully. Prophecy apart from him is nothing but the shell without the kernel; the casket without the jewel, for “the testimony of Jesus” is the Spirit of prophecy. And the promissory part of Scripture all centre in him; for the promises in all their amplitude and preciousness are declared to be “yea and amen in Christ Jesus, to the glory of God by us.”

But more especially are the New Testament Scriptures a revelation of Jesus Christ. This is the record which God hath given of his Son. ‘The record of the incarnation, birth, life, miracles, sayings, sufferings, death, resurrection, and ascension of the Son of God. And so is the epistolary portion of the New Testament the word of Christ, the writers of which all could exclaim, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And this it is that renders the Scriptures so interesting, and so delightful to trace:

“There my Redeemer’s face I see,

And read his love who died for me.”