Greetings sis Reis, et al;
We are surely blessed as Mr. Hawker ever brings the glories of CHRIST
into our view. Apart from a man gaining an understanding of the
condescension of CHRIST to dwell among men, he cannot rightly appreciate
the immense wonder that surrounds the redemption which CHRIST has
wrought. To have any consideration of man as having some worth or
intrinsic value which caused the regard of CHRIST unto him is to miss
the glories of the grace of GOD in the salvation of sinners. CHRIST
"descended" into this lowland of sin and sorrow simply because HE came
to redeem an unworthy and unfaithful bride due to HIS everlasting love
for her and not because she in any wise had anything which would be of
benefit to HIM. She had no regard unto HIS suffering and did esteem HIM
smitten of GOD, little knowing that it was for her that HE bore such
shame and ignominy. Yet HIS longsuffering and mercy is demonstrated as
HE calls her out of darkness and into HIS glorious LIGHT that she might
behold the wonders of HIS redemptive work and HIS eternal reign as the
KING of kings and LORD of lords. HE is the fulness of the GODHEAD
bodily and we will worship HIM.
Blessings, mike
On 5/25/2022 7:36 PM, Soraya Reis wrote:
*"Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things." Ephesians 4:9, 10 *
*My soul! Thy morning portion led thee to the contemplation of a risen and ascended Saviour; and by faith and love, I hope thou didst find thyself ascending with him, and art now still looking to him on the throne of the Majesty on high. And while thy thoughts are thus occupied in the most blessed of all subjects, listen to this word of God's grace, as of a voice behind thee, to remind thee, that he who is thus gone up, first came down! He that is now in heaven, first came down from heaven; he is only returned, as a rightful Lord, to his own kingdom. *
*He hath, indeed, both by his Father's gift, and his own purchase, obtained a mediatorial crown, to add to his crown of the Godhead, which he had before in common with the Father and the Holy Ghost; but in his ascension, thou art not to lose sight of his descent, which preceded it, when he left the bosom of the Father, to tabernacle in our nature, for our redemption, in these lower parts of the earth. And let this sweet view of Jesus give thee an holy boldness and comfort, in looking to thy risen and exalted Saviour for those ascension gifts which he is gone up purposely to send down! I want, my soul (Oh! that the Holy Ghost would for ever be giving it to me) to keep in constant remembrance who it is that thus "ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things." *
*I charge it upon thee, this evening, that thou never cease to ask this blessing from God the Spirit, that in his glorifying the Lord Jesus, he would keep it continually uppermost in thine heart, that it is Jesus who is thus exalted; Jesus thy Brother, thy Redeemer, thine Husband, thine Head. Surely, while thou bearest in remembrance, that" he is ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things," he would never let thee go empty, didst thou tell him that thou art part of himself! Could Jesus, as the head of his body, the church, suffer that body, or any of its poorest or least members, to go lean, and poor, and wretched, while he is gone up purposely to send down, and to fill all things? To use his own words, "No man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church," Ephesians 5:29. Were these things left upon record as a testimony how Jesus nourisheth and cherisheth the church, and shall any poor member be without it? *
*Precious Lord Jesus! henceforth I beseech thee, look on me, and give me, by thy sweet Spirit, to be always looking unto thee! I see, Lord, that thou, who art ascended, art the same that descended: this is enough for me; for, sure I am, thine heart is not changed, but thy love is the same. And if thy love brought thee down to save, thy love hath led thee up to bless: and what mercy can my soul want which thy fulness cannot supply? How can a poor member of thine below, long need, while "Jesus is ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill things?" Oh! for grace to come to thee, to look to thee, to depend upon thee, and to rest, with full assurance of faith, in that dependence, that Jesus, our risen, our ascended, our exalted, and full Saviour, will give to every one of his members, "grace, according to the measure of the fulness of Christ." *
*Robert Hawker (1753-1827) ***
