ON special missions these heavenly visitors came, and the mission of the first two vastly different from the mission of the other two. Indeed, the writer’s desire is to draw attention to the very remarkable contrast between them. Is there not a contrast between striking men with blindness and opening blind eyes between taking life and giving life between executing judgment upon those that deserve it, and bearing judgment for those that deserve it? These contrasts, we shall find, are strikingly apparent in the visits we refer to.
From the place of unsullied holiness to a place that stank with the filthiest wickedness—from heaven to Sodom―came two angels. When these unexpected visitors arrived at Lot’s house, in a few words they told their errand: “The Lord hath sent us to destroy (that is Sodom), and we will destroy this place.”
To another city came a heavenly visitor. This second city had for its wickedness the name of the first city given to it, “which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified” (Rev. 11:88And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. (Revelation 11:8)).
In Jerusalem, Jesus set forth the purpose of His errand, and the amazing secret that lay hidden behind it. Nicodemus, a ruler and a Pharisee, was permitted to hear the gracious announcement from His holy lips: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting Life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16, 1716For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16‑17)).
What a marvelous contrast is here! The two angels brought a message of judgment, with proffered mercy for one small family. Jesus, their adorable Creator, brought God’s grace into this world, and a message that concerned the whole human family. He Himself was the perfect expression of the grace He bore witness to. Listen to the words: “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” “The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” “Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ,” afterward wrote the Apostle John (John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)), and, “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief,” wrote the Apostle Paul.
But there is another extraordinary contrast. When the two angelic messengers and Lot were threatened with violence they “put forth their hand and pulled. Lot into the house,” and then “smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves to find the door.”
When the blessed Son of God was threatened with violence (John 8:5959Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. (John 8:59)), we read, “He went through the midst of them, and so passed on,” and as He passed on He saw a man blind from his birth. What did He do? Without even being asked He opened his eyes, so that he might find in Himself the “True Door”―the only way to worship and true liberty (John 10:99I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9)).
But when Jerusalem had got rid of Jesus at Calvary, another heavenly visitor came to the same city―the blessed Spirit of Promise. He came in His mil divine right; He came as sent of the Father in the Son’s name, and He came as the sent One of Jesus to bear witness of His grace, Whom the world had rejected. “If I depart I will send Him (the Comforter) unto you” (John 16:7; 15:267Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)
26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)). Indeed, we might say that the visit of the Holy Spirit― “Spirit of grace” ―was only an extension of the visit of the Son. The purpose was the same, and the same love the secret of both.
For example, what a refreshing extension of that story of opening blind eyes, in connection with men’s violence, did the murder of Stephen furnish! The ringleader of that violence, Saul of Tarsus, had his eyes opened a little later to see, with unveiled face, the glory of the very same Lord Who stretched forth His hand to take Stephen out of their murderous clutches into the “House.” Nor was this all. The Saviour made known His intention to send him far hence to the Gentiles, “to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith that is in Me” (Acts 26:1818To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:18)).
Nearly nineteen centuries have passed since then, and, blessed be God, still the message goes forth; still blind eyes are being opened. But is the reader known in heaven as one of the number? Has the Saviour’s grace touched his heart in its subduing power? Has he received the forgiveness of his sins through faith in Him Whose precious blood was shed for sinners?
The day of His patient waiting will end. Wrath from heaven will surely follow. Persistently reject the grace now preached, and it shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for you. The Holy Ghost is still here While He remains, beware of resisting Him. Take heed to the martyr Stephen’s words: “Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye” (Acts 7:5151Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. (Acts 7:51)). Solemn indictment. May “always resisting” be no longer true of you. God’s Spirit will not “always strive.” While He waits, and we wait with Him, we can still remind you that “the grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared” (Titus 11:11).
GEO. C.
A Painstaking Friend. ― “You have a Friend who has done wonders for you, and who expects nothing in return but a humble acknowledgment: and that also He must give you. Our Lord has been showing you some tokens of His singular regard for you. He taketh pains with those He loves. He has been trying you with the rod. The trial on His part was altogether love, and graciously intended for your benefit. He will turn everything into blessing for He does all things well. He does not, He cannot make one mistake in His government.” W. R.