Morning    “Behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.”    Matthew 27:51

No mean miracle was wrought in the rending of so strong and thick a veil; but it

was not intended merely as a display of power–many lessons were herein taught

us. The old law of ordinances was put away, and like a worn-out vesture, rent

and laid aside. When Jesus died, the sacrifices were all finished, because all

fulfilled in him, and therefore the place of their presentation was marked with

an evident token of decay. That rent also revealed all the hidden things of the

old dispensation: the mercy-seat could now be seen, and the glory of God gleamed

forth above it. By the death of our Lord Jesus we have a clear revelation of

God, for he was “not as Moses, who put a veil over his face.”

Life and immortality are now brought to light, and things which have been

hidden since the foundation of the world are manifest in him. The annual

ceremony of atonement was thus abolished. The atoning blood which was once every

year sprinkled within the veil, was now offered once for all by the great High

Priest, and therefore the place of the symbolical rite was broken up. No blood

of bullocks or of lambs is needed now, for Jesus has entered within the veil

with his own blood. Hence access to God is now permitted, and is the privilege

of every believer in Christ Jesus. There is no small space laid open through

which we may peer at the mercy-seat, but the rent reaches from the top to the

bottom. We may come with boldness to the throne of the heavenly grace. Shall we

err if we say that the opening of the Holy of Holies in this marvellous manner

by our Lord’s expiring cry was the type of the opening of the gates of paradise

to all the saints by virtue of the Passion? Our bleeding Lord hath the key of

heaven; he openeth and no man shutteth; let us enter in with him into the

heavenly places, and sit with him there till our common enemies shall be made

his footstool.

 

Evening    “The Amen.”     Revelation 3:14

The word Amen solemnly confirms that which went before; and Jesus is the great

Confirmer; immutable, forever is “the Amen” in all his promises. Sinner, I would

comfort thee with this reflection. Jesus Christ said, “Come unto me all ye that

labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” If you come to him, he

will say “Amen” in your soul; his promise shall be true to you. He said in the

days of his flesh, “The bruised reed I will not break.” O thou poor, broken,

bruised heart, if thou comest to him, he will say “Amen” to thee, and that shall

be true in thy soul as in hundreds of cases in bygone years. Christian, is not

this very comforting to thee also, that there is not a word which

has gone out of the Saviour’s lips which he has ever retracted? The words of

Jesus shall stand when heaven and earth shall pass away. If thou gettest a hold

of but half a promise, thou shalt find it true. Beware of him who is called

“Clip-promise,” who will destroy much of the comfort of God’s word.

Jesus is Yea and Amen in all his offices. He was a Priest to pardon and cleanse

once, he is Amen as Priest still. He was a King to rule and reign for his

people, and to defend them with his mighty arm, he is an Amen King, the same

still. He was a Prophet of old, to foretell good things to come, his lips are

most sweet, and drop with honey still–he is an Amen Prophet. He is Amen as to

the merit of his blood; he is Amen as to his righteousness. That sacred robe

shall remain most fair and glorious when nature shall decay. He is Amen in every

single title which he bears; your Husband, never seeking a divorce; your Friend,

sticking closer than a brother; your Shepherd, with you in death’s dark

vale; your Help and your Deliverer; your Castle and your High Tower; the Horn

of your strength, your confidence, your joy, your all in all, and your Yea and

Amen in all.