December 19

PART III.—Colossians 3:11.

JESUS is all, and in all, in the great work of redemption. Here he has given us a complete manifestation of all his illustrious perfections. Here we have put forth the exceeding greatness of his power, and the unsearchable riches of his grace,—

"Here the whole Deity full orb'd In dazzling rays of light, Appears to save a ruined world, From gloom of hellish night,"

Whatever view we take of redemption Jesus is manifestly "all and in all." Consider redemption, as the illumination of a world of darkness; then Jesus is the great celestial sun, its day spring, and only source of light. Consider redemption, as the deliverance of the world from the curse, and from the power of the devil. Then it was so delivered by Jesus becoming a curse for us, and by his death and resurrection, bruising the head of Satan. Consider it as the provision for the renovation of a world sunk in pollution and defilement. And then the Redeemer from the opening of his own heart, has provided in his precious blood, the fountain for its guilt and uncleanness. Consider redemption, as the great and boundless provision of blessings, for an impoverished and wretched world. Then Jesus is the fountain of those blessings, all, all, flow from the infinite stores of his grace. By his poverty alone are we made rich: and all our gifts come by him, and all our wants are supplied by Christ Jesus. Consider redemption, in its deliverance of immortal souls from the wrath to come, and that deliverance is his own work, he only can free from condemnation here, and from eternal death hereafter. Jesus is the only deliverer from the wrath to come.