Looking Christ-ward

The Christian stands in a unique place today. He (or she) stands at a vantage point in time where he can see Christ in any direction he looks:
1. Looking backward

Isa 45:22 "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else".

The Christian looks back in time, and sees Jesus as the Lamb of God, on the cross, there bearing the burden we would have to bear, there displaying the "love divine, all loves excelling", there completing the work the Father gave Him to do, there rending the vail of separation in twain, there obtaining the surety of forgiveness of sins for those who believe on His peerless name. Oh how could such a gruesome picture paint such a beautiful promise? How could the one who in creation made everything 'good' endure such evil for our sakes? what would allow Himself to be regarded as a 'brother of iniquity' (Num 1:15 - "Ahira")? 'Twas love, His wondrous, unconditional love.

2. Looking Upward

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down
at the right hand of the throne of God

The Christian can today look upward, to a Saviour who was resurrected and now is at the Father's right hand, able to Shepherd and guard our souls, to be an 'ever present help' (ps 46:1), and who is able to understand our difficulties. O that we may bask in His sunshine, and take pleasure in His interest and love for those He now calls 'His brethren'. O that we may keep fresh in our minds today as the women at the tomb "remembered His words" (Luke 24:8). O that we may rejoice today as the disciples did when they heard the report that "He is risen indeed!" (Luk 24:34).

3. Looking Onward

Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ

The Christian can today look onward, to a blessed and glorious hope of eternal life, a hope that will not disappoint, a hope that grounded not on the promises and ability of man, but on the "God, that cannot lie, " who "promised before the world began" (Tit 1:2). we look onward to the judgement seat of Christ, which promises nothing but rewards, some receiving more than others, but all are rewareded nonetheless. O that we may know Christ more now, that we may please Him now, that we may keep ourselves chaste now, and as a betrothed bride anxiously awaits that glorious day when she is united with her lover, may we be ever watching and waiting for the that "endless morning" where we will be united with the lover of our souls.

come Lord Jesus, come quickly.

Amen.