It Has Been Done.

WE are not to say in our hearts “Who shall ascend?” or “who shall descend?” as though we had anything to do in the work of our salvation. We are not to have questionings about it. The whole thing has been done. “From the highest throne in glory to the cross of deepest woe,” the blessed Saviour has descended, yea, He has gone down to the lower parts of the earth―so perfect was the path―so all embracing. No step was wanting. And entering every scene, He was the Conqueror there. The chambers of death witnessed it, and now all is light for the believer. The very grave is illuminated. How could it be otherwise? It has been filled by Him who is light―who could say “I am the light of the world.” And Jesus’ precious name―more precious as one learns one’s own infirmity, weakness, helplessness, and need—has become, by filling it Himself, the emptier of the grave for others. “O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction” (Hosea 13:1414I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. (Hosea 13:14)), was the promise of old, and in due season its accomplishment shall be manifested. Faith knows that He is risen―He is gone to God’s right hand. His resurrection, too, is a pledge, an earnest of ours. The grand parts of the incarnation, the life, the sufferings and death, the resurrection and ascension of the Redeemer, are all accomplished. The soul has only to repose upon a completed work. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”