November 4

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." — John 12:32.

WHAT an intimate connection is there between the Old and New Testament! they may be compared to the two cherubims, overshadowing the mercy-seat, face to face. The one is the outline, the other is the filling of it up; the one is the picture, the other the original. Our Lord, in the passage before us, alludes to the brazen serpent which Moses lifted up in the wilderness, and which was a type of Christ. Sin is the malady with which we are infected. Satan is the old serpent with which we are stung, Christ is the brazen serpent lifted up for the healing of the nations, faith is the eye that beholds him. As the Israelites were not healed except they looked on the brazen serpent, so the sinner cannot be saved without the exercise of faith. Let us contemplate the Saviour in

THE ANTICIPATION OF HIS SUFFERINGS.

When he died, he was lifted up. By this the price of salvation was paid. There was something appalling in the manner of crucifixion among the Romans. The individual about to suffer death, had to bear the cross on his shoulders to the place of execution: before the cross was fixed in the ground, his hands and feet, the most sensitive parts of the body, were nailed to it, a hole was previously made in the earth, and the cross was lifted erect, and thrust into it, which caused the most excruciating agony. The Saviour was lifted up as an object of scorn to his enemies who derided him; an object of pity to his friends who lamented him, and as a sacrifice to offended justice. Now was the Lamb of God led to the great altar of atonement.

When he rose, he was lifted up. By this the deed of salvation was insured. His first lifting up was attended with shame, but the second was connected with honor. It was not possible that he should be holden of the pains of death; for how then could the Divine purposes be accomplished, or the Scripture be fulfilled?

When he is preached, he is lifted up. In this way salvation is proclaimed. This is the great design of the Gospel ministry. Matthew Henry remarks, the Scripture is the circle of faith, around which it walks, and every point of which compass it touches, yet the centre of it is Christ, that is the polar star on which it rests. We lift him up in his essential glories as God, and in his Mediatorial excellences as man, in the magnitude of his love, the greatness of his work, the suitableness of his salvation, the riches of his mercy, and the splendor of his reign. Let me inquire if the Saviour is exalted in my views and opinions, in my experience and desires, and in my conduct and conversation. In all things he must have the pre-eminence.