Daily Devotionals

Mornings and Evenings with Jesus

Devotional: April 7th

Seek those things which are above. - Colossians 3:1.

HERE is a duty enjoined. The things themselves which are to engage the Christian’s attention are not described by their nature, but by their residence; but the one involves the other. Their residence shows their excellency, for unless they were excellent they would not be admitted there, “where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.” There is no night, no pain, no sin, there; every thing is pure and attractive. “There is a peace which passeth all understanding, a joy which is unspeakable and full of glory.” Here we “see through a glass darkly, but then face to face;” but “when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” There are our beloved connections, with whom we “took sweet counsel and walked to the house of God in company.” There are the spirits of the just made perfect; there are patriarchs, and prophets, and apostles, and the noble army of martyrs. There is the innumerable company of angels; there He is who is fairer than the children of men:-

“Nor earth, nor sky, nor sun, nor stars,

Nor heaven, his full resemblance bears;

His beauties we can never trace

Till we behold him face to face.”

“In his presence is fulness of joy; at his right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” It is therefore easy to see why we should “seek those things which are above,” because they are necessary. While many things are desirable, and some things are important, one thing is absolutely needful. As Dr. Watts sings,-

“Without his graces and his self

I were a wretch undone.”

Whatever earthly possessions we might be able to command, they could never afford satisfaction. Earthly things can never fill the void in the immensity of a man’s expectations and desires, but God can fill the soul with all spiritual blessings in Christ. We should seek the things above, because they are attainable. We are not sure of success in our pursuits after earthly good; but here grace insures success, and if, like Mary, we have chosen the good part, it shall not be taken from us.

Observe the manner in which the things above are to be sought:- Diligently; the “sluggard desireth and hath not, because his hands refuse to labour.” Consistently; “Balaam said, Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his,” regardless of any concern to live the righteous man’s life. Pilate asked, What is truth? but waited not for a reply. With earnestness; “Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” This seeking must be supreme and immediate. Our Lord says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,”- first, in point of importance and precedence. Intensely; “Blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Obediently; It is in a course of well-doing. Perseveringly; We are to seek for glory, honour, and immortality, until we obtain eternal life.

The Son of man came.....to give his life a ransom for many. - Matthew 20:28.

THIS Jesus said in allusion to his own death, and it is to remind us of the numerous influences and advantages derived from it. And concerning his death he mentions four things. First, We are to consider him as a ransom. This metaphorical expression is one of the favourite terms employed by the Holy Ghost. There is a reality in it infinitely surpassing the emblem. A ransom is a satisfaction or a compensation for release from bondage. It reminds us of what we were, and of the state in which we were; we were the slaves of sin-led captive by the devil at his will. The lowness and wretchedness of the state of bondage in which we were are inexpressible, inconceivable. He interposed and said, “Deliver them from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom.” What was this ransom? Had we been delivered from our former condition it would have been a deliverance only, not a redemption. Redemption supposes a price. We were “bought with a price.” And what was the price? “Ye were not redeemed,” says Peter, “with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.” This was the ransom- “a price beyond all price.” He was our substitute. He died in our stead, in our place. He bore our sins in his own body on the tree. He, the just, died for us, the unjust. “Surely,” says the Church, “he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.”

Secondly, He tells us that his death was intentional; not an eventual thing, but foreknown; not a consequence, but a design. He assumed our nature, not to reign in it, but to suffer, and on purpose to suffer. This was his grand aim and business, to “give his life a ransom for many.”

Thirdly, He reminds us also that his death was voluntary. He gave himself a ransom for many. Although it is sometimes said that he was sent of the Father, yet he was at his own disposal. Therefore the Scriptures sometimes ascribe his death to his love, “He loved us and gave himself for us;” and sometimes it is ascribed to his power, “No man taketh my life from me, I lay it down myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” This commission he voluntarily accomplished, it was not forced upon him, and therefore he said, “That the world may know I love the Father, and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.” Therefore he said, “Lo, I come, I delight to do thy will, O my God, thy law is within my heart. I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished.”

Fourthly, It regards the esteem he has for his people. Sometimes they are described by their character, here by their number-“many.” He does not tell us how many; and he has almost forbidden us to inquire concerning it, for when a man one day asked him, “Lord, there are few that be saved?” without noticing the poor trifler at all, he said to them that were with him, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able.” As much as if he had said, Instead of indulging yourselves in various inquiries concerning the number of the saved, do you be concerned to be one of them. But we are allowed to say very many. So many, to do justice to the promise made to the Messiah, that” all kings shall fall down before him, and all nations serve him.” So many, that when gathered out of every country, and nation, and tongue, and people, they will be found a multitude that no man can number. So many, as that the Messiah admits it an ample compensation for all the sufferings he endured; for “he shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied.”