December 27

"God sent him to bless you."—Acts 3:26.

THIS is spoken of our Lord Jesus Christ; and two things may be here remarked concerning him.

HIS HIGH AUTHORITY. "God sent him." This includes

His appointment to his work. He was employed as the Father's servant, in his Mediatorial capacity, to perform his will and to fulfil his purpose. Under this character he often spake of himself, as having come out from, and been sent by, the Father. But it also denotes

His anointing for his work. He is said to be anointed of the Holy Spirit, in allusion to the custom of the setting apart of the ancient prophets, priests, and kings to their office, by the pouring of oil on their heads.

HIS BENEVOLENT DESIGN. "To bless you." Behold here a miracle of mercy and a prodigy of love. He came not to smite the earth with a curse, but to visit it with a blessing; not to enslave, but to redeem; not to wage war, but to make peace; and now, instead of thunderbolts of vengeance being hurled, instead of the angry storm of Jehovah's wrath bursting on our guilty heads, and drowning us in eternal perdition, the waters are assuaged, the clouds that gathered so thickly around us are scattered, our sky is clear and bright, and there is seen, flying in the firmament of the Gospel, the dove with the olive branch of peace, and the song is heard chanted by the angelic choir, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good-will toward men." The blessings which Jesus confers are divine in their origin, suitable in their nature, free in their bestowment, and eternal in their duration. Did God send the Saviour? then let us acknowledge him; did he send him to bless us? then let us bless him, and receive him as all our salvation, and all our desire.

"The Saviour! oh! what endless charms Dwell in that blissful sound! Its influence every fear disarms, And spreads delight around."