"O FOR GRACE TO FEED ON JESUS, AND SO TO EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THE LAND OF CANAAN THIS YEAR!"

This quote is from Charles Spurgeon's devotional, Morning and Evening; it comes from the January 1st morning entry. The past few months have had me considering the practice of feeding on Christ, satisfying my soul with this heavenly, everlasting pleasure. I also have been considering our Savior, Jesus. Last Monday I met with some Jehovah's Witnesses and had a two hour dialogue about who Jesus was. In terms of our debate, I think I held my own very nicely but in the eternal perspective what counts is if the Holy Spirit has changed their hearts and ripped the scales off their eyes to see our great God and Savior for who He is. I will meet with them again on Jan. 13th. If you think of it please send up prayers for me and for Andrea Anderson who has been the main person with whom I've been speaking.

As for the new year, I thought it would be appropriate to reconsider and meditate on the person of Christ. For one thing, the 2004 issues of Tabletalk have gone through the book of Hebrews and the devotional for the last day of the year instructed us to read through the whole book in one sitting. Have you ever done that with a book of the Bible? Probably the shorter ones but how about ones that are longer than, say, 4 or 5 chapters? In a very old post from Doug's blog over at VisionForum he once described a meeting of mature men in his church who met to read aloud the Scripture for lengthy periods of time as the OT saints did when all of Israel would gather. What a blessing. Anyway, I digress. Over the past two days I have read through the entire book of Hebrews and stopped to write down how the author describes Jesus. As I went through the first 8 and a half chapters I was in awe at our Savior, trembling in my soul at the descriptions of Him. God has blessed me these past two days to see a little more clearly through this dark glass. To have a little deeper taste of the glory of Christ. I thought I'd share these descriptions with you even though it is a long list. Savor them, meditate on them. Feed on Christ and let Him satisfy your soul as He has mine. Let this be your food and feast this first day of the new year.

Jesus ---

is the heir of all things
is the maker of all things
is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature
made purification of sins
is much better than the angels
is worshipped by the angels
tasted death for everyone
brought many sons to glory
is our brother
rendered the devil powerless
is our deliverer and sanctifier
gives help to the seed of Abraham
is a merciful and faithful high priest
made propitiation for the sins of the people
is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted
is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession
is worthy of more glory than Moses
is the source of eternal salvation
is a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek
is the guarantee of a better covenant
abides forever
is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him
always lives to make intercession for them
is holy
is innocent
is undefiled
is separated from sinners
is exalted above the heavens
has obtained a more excellent ministry
is the mediator of a better covenant
through His own blood entered the Holy place once for all having obtained eternal redemption
entered heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us
appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God
perfected for all time those who are sanctified
is the author and perfecter of faith
is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever
suffered outside the gate that He might sanctify the people through His own blood
is the Great Shepherd of the sheep

In the next post I will write about what the author of Hebrews says we have because of this Jesus, our Savior and Lord. I am struck at the namby pamby way that many evangelicals present the Gospel. "Just ask Jesus into your heart." "Invite Jesus into your life." The gospel we proclaim is of a glorious and risen Savior. He is the King of Kings!! Let us not dumb down the gospel. It is glorious news and full of power and glory. Amen.