May 9, 2013

• Contemplating the ascended Lamb: the soul's delight & sweetest feast!

  Luke 24:51
  And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

    

  Philippians 2:6-11
  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant,
  and was made in the likeness of men:
  And being found in fashion as a man,
  he humbled himself,
  and became obedient
  unto death,
  even the death
  of the cross.
  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
  and given him a name which is above every name:
  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
  of things in heaven,
  and things in earth,
  and things under the earth;
  And that every tongue should confess
  that Jesus Christ is Lord,
  to the glory of God the Father.
  
  * * *

  Revelation 5:6
  And I beheld, and lo in midst of the throne and of the four living creatures,
  and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain.
  

  
  . . .

     How delightful to contemplate the honors which encircle the Lamb in the midst of his Father's throne! After being here so long marred with grief and shame, how sweet to know that he has found a throne! After wandering an exile from heaven for more than thirty years for our revolt, and to seek through this wilderness that which was lost, we joy that he has found a home. After being so long unknown and neglected, we rejoice that he has found those who can honor his worth. After all the mockery of the judgment hall and the pretorium, we exult to hear the shout of all heaven in his praise. After the crown of thorns, we are enraptured to see him wear the diadem of the universe. After being cast out upon the wide world, not having where to lay his head, we triumph that a palace has received him. After depending for bread on the charity of his female followers, we are transported to see him the heir of all things and able in his turn to impart to others. After being so long a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,—after all the agonies of the garden and the cross,—we sing and shout for joy that he has found repose,—that he has found infinite and eternal delight in the glory of his Father and the salvation of his Church. Let him have his happiness and his honors. Amidst all the sufferings of life, it shall be our solace that the man of sorrows is happy,—that the despised Nazarene is honored at last. Of all the luxuries that ever feasted the soul, the sweetest is to see the Lamb that was slain in the midst of his Father's throne.
  
  

  Excerpt from Sermon XXXII., "The Lamb in the Midst of His Father's Throne," found in Sermons by the Late Rev. Edward D. Griffin, D.D. to Which is Prefixed a Memoir of His Life by William B Sprague, D.D., Minister of the Second Presbyterian Congregation in Albany. Volume II. (New York: John S. Taylor, Brick Church Chapel, 1839), 477-478. Reprinted by Banner of Truth Trust (Edinburgh: 1987).  (HT for the text: http://books.google.com/books?id=pS0NAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false.)

  
  * * *

  Is it a delightful to you to contemplate the honors encircling the Lamb in the midst of His Father's throne?
  
  Has your soul ever savored the sweetest luxury of seeing the slain Lamb in the midst of His Father's throne?

  When was the last time you sat down under His shadow and considered Him?

  

  "As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons.
  I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste."
  ~ the Shulamite woman, Song of Solomon 2:3

  The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
  Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
  ~ Psalm 111:2, KJV & ESV
  

  ---

  Related:

  • Considering Jesus: (1) Making time to consider Jesus
  • Considering Jesus: (2) Why do we do quiet time anyhow?
  • take to heart ALL the words (more on quiet time)
  • Get gnawing, put your nose down in the Book to feed the white-hot flame of God's gift
  • "Garbage In" (Are you truly His disciple?)
  • "There will be 10,000 things for which you glorify Jesus ... "
  • Linger, linger, linger – so you might know God's love
  • Ascension Day: "He Ascended into Heaven . . ."
  • Ascension Day: "He went up, scattering blessings; & he has done nothing but bless them ever since"

  Scripture quotations unless otherwise indicated are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

  Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  Photo credits:
  

  "Pinedale sun through clouds2" / own photo / CC by SA/3.0.
  An edited version of the photo found here - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apple_orchard.jpg - PD

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