November 24
The Christian's Daily Treasury"We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ."—John 1:41.
THOSE who know Christ will desire that others may become acquainted with him. When the woman of Samaria found the Saviour at Jacob's well, she went her way and published his fame in the city. Paul's desire for his brethren, the Jews, was not that a worldly kingdom might be restored to them, but that they might be saved. He preached Christ at the tribunal of the judge who was trying him. When Andrew had found Christ, he said to his own brother Simon, "We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ." Several things may be here observed.
THE TITLE ASCRIBED TO THE SAVIOUR. The word Messias is Hebrew, and the word Christ is Greek; but the meaning of each is, the Anointed Saviour. As the prophets, priests, and kings, under the old dispensation, were anointed to their several offices, so our Redeemer was set apart to his mediatorial office. Believers have a spiritual anointing; though it is the same in kind, it is very different in degree to that of the Saviour. The gifts and graces of the Spirit in believers are like water in the cistern, but in Christ like water in the ocean; in them they are as the light in the atmosphere, but in him as the light of the sun. Christ, as the Messias, was sent by the Father to execute his mediatorial office.
THE ACT OF THE CHRISTIAN. He finds the Saviour. This implies the exercise of seeking him, which is the duty and delight of all that are taught of God. There are several marks belonging to those who have found Christ. They have seen their lost estate. They feel their need of Christ as a Prophet to illuminate their understandings, a Priest to expiate their guilt, and a King to subdue their corruptions, and reign and rule over them. They have renounced self-righteousness; a legal spirit is quite incompatible with an enlightened mind; they are resting on the atonement of Christ; if we are built on him, the rubbish of self-righteousness must be cleared away, the foundation dug deep in the work of conviction, the first stone laid in the heart, and the superstructure raised under the direction of the Spirit, the temple Builder.