THERE it stood, as it had stood for ages past, supported by all the majesty of the British law, guarding the highway road to Edinburgh, a barrier against all who would travel along that road as free men, demanding alike from high and low, rich and poor, all who rode or drove, a lawful toll. No grace there, no mercy there; the rich man with his millions, and the poor man with his mites, alike had to meet that demand ere he could further travel along that road!
Pleasantly situated at the junction of four roads, approached by a hill from every side, and commanding a fine view of the surrounding country, Kenton Toll Bar appeared a formidable object against free traveling from every side. Its massive white pillars and five-barred gate plainly told forth that those who could not pay must not pass that way.
But we know of another barrier that stood in the way of many; a gate, so to speak, of twice five bars—even the two tables of stone with their twice five commandments, given by God to Moses and the children of Israel, commandments which demanded obedience alike from all, ere they could be permitted to enter into life.
The law, righteous and just as it is, seemed only to act as a barrier to man entering into eternal blessings; every demand it made on the sinner appeared only to show him more and more his inability to meet its requirements. It was a "ministry of death," a schoolmaster to teach and show us our ignorance; a mirror to manifest the wickedness of man's heart, and the righteousness of God's requirements. Oh! ye who think that the road to heaven lies in keeping those holy, God-given ten commandments, think of the words of Gal. 3:21, 2221Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (Galatians 3:21‑22): "IF there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them That believe." God's well-beloved Son need not have died, if life could be gained by law. The law, holy, just, and good, was “weak through the flesh," and God, by the death of His Son, condemned sin in the flesh. God sent His Son, and through Him God brings poor lost man nigh to Himself!
But a change came! The good news began to spread through the neighborhood that the toll bar was to be abolished; and on November 1st, 1881, travelers might have been seen one after the other paying their fare and passing through as usual until the clock struck twelve! After that hour the road was free!—free to rich—free to poor! A lawful decree had been issued, and justly and rightly the barrier gate was opened, the toll bar was removed.
Just so with the greater barrier. It stood firm "until Christ," but at that solemn moment when the Lord of glory cried, with a loud voice, "It is finished," He made a way into the very "holiest of all," and every poor sinner who comes trusting only in the merits of His precious blood may enter in. Some fifteen hundred years had passed, and men had been trying—vainly trying—to approach God by law, but Christ opened the new and living way, and for the last eighteen hundred years many have rejoiced in finding that grace and truth, which came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:1717For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:17).)
So, then, it is no more of works but of grace, even the grace of our God and of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I assure you the people for miles round received with delight the news of the barrier being removed from our country road.
Reader, what do you say to the infinite goodness of God for the open way made to God Himself by the death of His Son, and placed before each one of us? Let us each make sure that by faith in Christ we are traveling on the road to glory.
H Y P.