“For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness: but unto them which are called, both Jews and reeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Cor. 1:22-24.
The Holy Mystery of God.
Outlying reason’s furthest range,
Let babes and sucklings tell abroad,
For who the Father’s will may change?
The wise and prudent, o’er and o’er,
May stretch the tether of their mind,
But Faith on seraph-wings will soar,
While Reason grovels far behind!
Rom. 11:33-36; Psa. 8; Matt. 11:25-27.
The truth, confessedly is great,
‘Twas shrouded long, from sight concealed,
By God, Almighty to create,
For Faith’s reception ‘tis revealed.
God speaketh once, that man may learn,
Yea, twice His counsels to fulfill;
Vain man to other God’s would turn,
Despising sovereign mercy still.
1 Tim. 3:16; Job 33:11-33; Rom. 2:1-11.
The God who spake, in divers ways,
At sundry times, by human voice,
Hath focused all His glory rays
In Christ, the Servant of His choice.
The bruised reed He will not break,
He heareth e’en the raven’s cry,
But arms against the Truth to take,
‘Tis treason ‘gainst the Lord most high.
Heb. 1:1-2; Isa. 42;43:10; Ps. 1
God manifested in the flesh,
And in the Spirit justified;
Of angels seen; of saints confessed;
Was preached to Gentiles; glorified;
Made flesh, He dwelt mid sinners here,
The Holy, Everlasting Word.
He veiled the glory brought so near,
Faith saw it, owned in Him the Lord.
1 Tim. 3:16; John 1:14; Heb. 10:10
Eternal and co-equal Son,
The servant garb on earth He wore;
Made like to men, the Blessed One
All human sorrows meekly bore.
The King, rejected, scourged, and bound—
The cross adjudged His rightful place—
There David’s Lord, the Heir, was found,
Though stripped of all, supreme is grace!
Prov. 8:2-36; Phil. 2:6-8; Matt. 27:22-51
For this, God set Him up on high,
All dignities, all powers above.
The living Jesus! Who could die
In witness of the Father’s love!
For this hath God a name conferred
On Him, that doth all names exceed.
And God be glorified indeed.
That every tongue should own him Lord.
Phil. 2:9-11; Rev. 1:18; 1 John 4:9-10
Effulgence of His glory! Yea,
His very self expressed in grace:
Of God’s wide universe the stay,
Behold Him in the ordered place!
Behold the Man Christ Jesus! Now
Ascended, seated on the throne.
Before His face adoring bow,
God’s Power, His Wisdom, Christ alone!
Heb. 1:2-3; 1 Tim. 2:5-6; Jer. 9:23-24