October 24

PART II.—Hebrews 13:10.

THE altar was designed to support the sacrifice which was presented to God. Now the divinity of Jesus was that on which the sacrifice rested—that which gave it all its preciousness and validity. It was this which imparted inexpressible efficacy both to his obedience and death. It was this which supported him when the waves of sorrow went over his head, and which would assuredly have engulfed any merely created intelligence. The altar not only sustained, but also sanctified the offering: thus the atonement was effected through that sacred and hallowed virtue which the deity of Christ imparted to his death: thus it was that absolute perfection was imparted to Christ's mediation, and thus the attributes of God were glorified, and the work of man's salvation was completed. Let us then inquire as to our connexion with this altar. Have we approached it, exercising faith in the victim offered upon it, and then have we obtained peace and acceptance with God? There is no hope for the sinner elsewhere. Despising this, and our ruin is irrevocable. God will not allow any other altar to be erected. This is designed for the benefit of the universal family of man. The world is now one vast consecrated temple, and the cross is the only altar for its vast and numberless worshippers. It is accessible to all. It has efficacy for all. And all who approach as humble, believing worshippers shall obtain the favour of God, and finally eternal life. All our services, whether of praise, or prayer, or obedience, must be brought and laid on this altar, and can only be accepted through it.

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