No pen can write, no tongue can tell, what the blood-shedding of Jesus has accomplished. The wondrous fruits of that one sacrifice, both God-ward and man-ward, are infinite in their variety. The intrinsic value of that blood has fully and fairly met all the claims of God, every demand of the law, and the whole need of man. It has laid a foundation, or rather, in itself forms the foundation for the full display, throughout eternity, of the glory of God, and the complete blessedness of His people. Its virtue is felt throughout the highest heights of heaven, and appreciated there in a way that we can have no conception of here. But in due time its power shall be manifested throughout the whole universe. The vernal bloom of every leaf, and flower, and blade of grass; the playful lambkin, and the harmless lion; the reign of peace and plenty throughout the whole creation in the day of His millennial glory, shall alike proclaim the redemption-power of the blood of the cross. And on the other hand, the awful consequences of sinners despising that precious blood, shall be endured forever in the deepest depths of unutterable woe. Its power must be felt everywhere.
But to the believer, the truster in that precious blood, it has opened the pearly gates of heaven, and shut forever the gloomy gates of hell. It has quenched the flames of the burning lake, and opened up the everlasting springs of God's redeeming love. It has plucked him as a brand out of the fire, cleansed him from every stain of sin, and planted him in robes of unsullied brightness in the immediate presence of God. For none has the blood of Christ done so much as the hell-deserving sinner. And no order of beings in the bright world above, can ever know the value of that blood, or appreciate the heart that it flowed from, like the redeemed sinner It was an elder, not an angel, as one has sweetly said, that told the weeping prophet of the One who had prevailed to open the seven-sealed book: " And one of the elders said unto me, Weep not; behold, the lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof." (Rev. 5:55And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Revelation 5:5).) There are depths in that blessed word prevailed which only a saved sinner can know.
But of all the precious, happy fruits of the blood-shedding of Jesus for us, there is one peculiarly sweet to my heart. Perhaps it is wrong to speak of choosing, where all are divinely perfect, and flowing from the same source; but now, tell me, beloved friends, have you ever thought much of the wondrous blessedness of being brought back to God? I do not mean into heaven merely, but unto God, and that, too, in companionship with Jesus-as one with Him. Oh, is there not something that comes home to our hearts, in the knowledge that we are brought back from our wanderings in the far country, to the Father's house; the Father's home; the Father's heart; the fullness in blessing of the Father's presence? I have often thought that the prodigal would be so overcome with the Father's love that he would neither see, nor think about, anything else. Had his eye and his heart rested on the robe, the ring, and the feast, more than on his Father's love, would you not be ready to cry out, Unworthy, unworthy? Oh, what are jewels, however sparkling; robes, however fair; crowns, however bright; or feasts, however sumptuous, compared with the deep and changeless affections of the heart, yes! and of a Father's heart too? This will be our heaven, and the very consummation of heaven's blessedness. With Jesus, and like Jesus, at home in the Father's presence, and finding all our happiness there. The apostle has reached the climax when he says, "But we also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 5:1111And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Romans 5:11).) Higher than this he can never go, and better than this he can never find.
There are three things which the blood of Christ has done to accomplish this deeply blessed end for us, namely, to bring us back to God.
1. The way into the presence of God was opened up for us by the blood of the cross (True, it was always open to the sinner by faith for salvation. Here, it is more a question of worship.) Up till that time the way into the holiest of all had not been made manifest, or laid open. (Ver. 8.) God dwelt behind the veil, and His people Israel worshipped Him outside. But the same stroke of judgment that slew the Lamb, and shed His blood, rent the veil from top to bottom, thus laying fully open the way into the immediate, unveiled presence of God. The blood of bulls and goats never could do this. We read in the 16th of Leviticus that' on the great day of atonement Aaron sprinkled the blood of the young bullock on the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat seven times, thereby maintaining God's relations with the people, and the ground of their approach to Him for twelve months to come. But there was no rending of the veil, or liberty to draw near to God, save by the high priest alone, and that only once a year, and never without the blood of atonement.
But the blood of the Lamb which flowed on Calvary has accomplished all for us. The veil is rent. The mercy seat above, and the way up to it, are, as it were, sprinkled seven times. The number seven signifies perfection. All has been perfectly accomplished by Jesus. From the cross to the throne we have a blood-sprinkled pathway. Oh, what a truth this is! Every step of the way is tracked with the Savior's love. Oh, how this should strengthen our faith, and bind our hearts to Him The way to God is now open at all times, for Jew and Gentile-for the chief of sinners. In the faith of this precious blood the guiltiest may come. Come! where to? Into the Holiest of all. He will find the blood there before him. God is satisfied. His character, as well as His claims, have been glorified in the work of His Son. He reposes with divine complacency on the blood-stained mercy seat. But how is the sinner met when he comes? In judgment for his sins? No; that was executed on the cross. Love alone remains to welcome the returning sinner. What! nothing about his sins? No; that question was settled on the cross. God will never raise it again with the poor sinner that trusts in Jesus. He both forgives and forgets. Did the father say anything about sin to the prodigal? Not a word. The prodigal confessed his sins, and that was a right thing for him to do. But God settled with Christ on the cross about his sins. Love, boundless love, flows out to meet the sinner and welcome him home. No barrier intercepts his way. It is perfectly clear. Christ Himself has laid it open. Oh! then, my fellow sinner, come. Come now. Return to the Father's house. Thy return will make Him glad, and His arms around thy neck will banish fear, and fill thy soul with a new and heavenly joy. Better far to dwell in heaven than in hell forever. Christ has opened the way. The blood of reconciliation is there. Fear not, only come. Come depending on that soul-saving, peace-speaking blood. Why delay? Only trust in the blood of Jesus and thou art safe forever. All who honor the blood of Jesus with the confidence of their hearts, reach the highest, and the best place in heaven.
2. The blood of Christ has fitted the believer to enter the open way, and to stand with a "perfect conscience" in the presence of God. (Vers. 8-14; chap. 10:1, 2.) Blessed truth! No sin is left on the conscience. There is no more conscience of sins; although, of course, we shall have the consciousness of sin in us while we are here. But the blood of Christ cleanseth us from all, not some sin. As a young convert so simply but truly answered me the other day, when I was saying to her, " What a blessed thing to know that our sins are all forgiven," " Oh, yes," she replied, " why, if there was one left we could not get into heaven." Sin is as far away from the worshipper in God's presence, as from Christ who bore it. We shall never need to be ashamed of our robes in heaven, or seek to hide ourselves behind a myriad of radiant ones. Our clothing is the righteousness of God. The highest angel will never have such a robe. Could envy enter the bosom of an angel, it would be because the saved sinner's robe is brighter than his. The blood-washed robes will be the whitest in heaven. They will be the same as Christ's, blessed be His name, and more than this we can never say.
But there is another thing, beloved friends, that I would notice about our being fitted to enter heaven, and that is, we enter by the same title as Christ Himself He entered by His own blood. (Ver. 12.) In virtue of His own blood. So do we. He would enter, not now on the ground of His own intrinsic righteousness merely, but by the same title as His people. Blessed Jesus! what grace! Having been "numbered with transgressors," He enters heaven by the title which equally serves for them. Hence clearly, the same welcome, the same place of nearness to the throne, as Christ Himself, await all who come in the faith of that blood. The gates were lifted up, and the doors wide open flung, when the victorious Jesus returned. We have the same title, the same right of entrance, the same joyous welcome as Christ Himself. But where, beloved friends, does this precious blood set the believer? Not within the threshold of heaven merely, but in the Holiest of all-near as Christ is near. I was speaking the other day about the place of nearness, and dearness into which we are brought in Christ, when a christian friend replied, "Oh, I do not aspire to that, I shall be satisfied if I be only a doorkeeper." But would Christ be satisfied? was my reply. What! a loving bridegroom allow his bride to be a doorkeeper! What would you think of such a thing? The bridegroom to keep his seat at the joyous table, and allow the loved one of his heart to stand behind the door to open it to every one that knocks! This is a false humility; such thoughts are not honoring to Christ. True, in this world, it would be better far to be a doorkeeper in the house of God, than to have the highest place in the tents of wickedness. But the bride of the Lamb must be where He is, and as He is, and that forever.
How did the saved thief enter heaven? With Christ, and in all His perfectness. "To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise." He was not merely to be within the door, but with Christ, wherever that might be. Oh! these blessed words " with me!" they settle and define everything as to our heaven. " With me," " with Christ," " with the Lamb whithersoever he goeth." Oh, what a heaven ours will be! always with Christ, and as Christ. Heaven would be a dreary blank to us without Christ, and it would be a dreary blank to Him without us. We can never be separated throughout eternity. The members must be where the Head is, and the bride must be where the bridegroom is. But, oh! the assurance of His love makes our hearts long to be with Him.
" Thy love, most gracious Lord,
My joy and strength shall be;
Till Thou shalt speak the gladdening word
That bids me rise to Thee."
Are all here ready to meet Jesus, were He to come to-night? Oh! make friends with the Lamb now. His love is sweet, His blood is precious, His home is dear. With arms extended wide, He waits to embrace and welcome to His heart every soul that will trust Him. It seems to me a small thing merely to trust Him I want you all to love Him-to love Him for His own sake. Happy, happy they who love the blessed Lord Jesus.
3. The blood of Christ has obtained for us " eternal redemption." (Ver. 12.) Oh! beloved friends, what a word this is to an immortal soul! And, oh! to find it written in God's book. There it is, read it for yourselves. "Eternal redemption." It is enough! Jesus has obtained it. All the blessedness we have been speaking of is to be eternal. Not only has the blood of Christ opened up the way into heaven for us-fitted us to be there, and given us a right and title to all its blessedness; but it has engravers that divine word, " eternal" on all that it has made us, and on all that it has brought us into. Not only
is all perfect, but all is permanent. Oh! this just suits immortal souls-does it suit yours? It sweetly suits mine "Eternal redemption." That will do. It overflows the heart. My soul, as to the future, is eternal, God's glory is eternal, heaven's joys are eternal, the love of Jesus is eternal; yes, the sweet love of Jesus shall endure forever, shall shine in my soul, and in yours who believe, throughout the countless ages of eternity. No wonder the redeemed in heaven sing so much about the blood of Christ. It seems to be the principal note in their song. " Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood." This is a note which no angelic voice can ever reach. It is too far above the line for angel choirs. They will have a song, and a sweet song too, for they do love Jesus. But they must all sing a note below the ransomed hosts. Oh, how loud, and long, and rapturous will be our note of praise to Him who drained the cup of wrath for us, who washed all our sins away, who lifted us out of our low estate and set us in the highest place in heaven, who has chosen us to be the companions of His ways, and the sharers of His eternal glory.
Oh! now, my fellow sinners, tell me, is there a soul present that can yet refuse the Savior's love -that can slight this precious blood, despise all this coming glory, and neglect so great salvation? God forbid! His love is ready to receive you; His blood is ready to cleanse you; His salvation is ready to bless you. All things are ready on God's part. Are you ready? ready now-ready to-night? Ready to embrace the Savior-ready to give Him your hearts? Does it require time to consider whether Jesus and His love and glory, or the world and sin, and hell are to be your choice? You must make a choice. And you have only to choose between the way to hell and the way to heaven. Can you hesitate! Oh! love the Lord Jesus, trust in the Lord Jesus, and choose the new and, living way, which leads to glory, honor, immortality, eternal life.
This being done, a fourth thing will surely follow, " The conscience purged from dead works to serve the living God." This will be your happy service. The Lord grant in His mercy that it may be so, and to His name be all the praise and the glory.