October 23

We have an altar. — Hebrews 13:10.

THE altar was that on which the sacrifices were said when offered to the Lord. Some of them were made of earth, others of stone, and some of brass and gold. Jesus is the christian's altar, as well as the sacrifice, by which we are redeemed to God. And these various altars seem to have typified the human and divine nature of the Redeemer. By the altar of earth, we seem to be directed to the humanity of Christ. By the altars of stone and brass, we appear to be directed to the power and dignity of that nature. And by the altar of gold, we are led to contemplate his supreme divinity, and glorious God-head. Now these altars were of divine appointment, all connected with them was from God. So Jesus is the selected, and the appointed of the Father — his elect, his chosen, in whom his soul delighted. The altar was the place of meeting between the worshipper and God; to this the humble penitent sinner approached, and here God deigned to descend, to manifest his grace and favour. Jesus is expressly the mediator, the middle man between God and us. In Christ, our nature is exalted to hold communion with God, and in Christ God descends and holds communion with man. We worship God only with acceptance through Jesus Christ, he is the only way, and no man can come to the Father but by him. And in like manner God is in Christ well-pleased with us, and through him our persons and offerings meet with his divine and gracious approbation. To this altar, it is both our duty and privilege to come. Not like the altars of the tabernacle and temple, which were only approached by the priests on certain occasions, to this all believers may approach, being a royal priesthood; they may come at all times and in every place, and they may come with the most blessed assurance of favour and acceptance.