Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

it hates the holiness that is his chief beauty; and its professions of respect for him are as hollow as those of Herod, who desired to know where he was to be found, in order, not to worship, but to destroy him. But Christ reveals himself to his sincere worshippers as he does not to the world: and no sooner did the travellers raise their eyes, but they beheld a refreshing sight. High over their heads, shining in the serene sky, appeared THE STAR,-the very STAR which they had seen in the east, and which now came to satisfy them that they were doing right in continuing the search, and to direct them to a happy issue. "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy." Well might they do so! They had made a long and tedious journey, had met with disappointment where they expected to find what they sought, and must have had their feelings chilled, and their hopes damped by the indifference of the Jewish people to what seemed to concern them far more nearly than themselves. It was in the hour of this discouragement, that the Lord was pleased to give the sure token of his gracious guidance, and caused the star to go before them unto Bethlehem, to point out their way. We get helps by ordinary means, so far as common help can avail: and if we diligently use those means, persevering through difficulties, the Lord will so provide, that higher help shall appear when those fail. Sooner would every star in the firmament be rolled out of its course, than He forsake one humble, trusting soul, that waits for the manifestation of his saving grace, in the way of his own appointment.

Beautiful star! How fit an emblem of Him whom it came to proclaim! Heavenly in its birth, unmingled with the pollutions of this rebel

lious world, and far removed from an unholy touch-pursuing in calm majesty its appointed course, looking down on the darkness of earth, and giving light sufficient for the safe guidance of those who placed their observation upon it. Most truly, yet how faintly, does it shadow forth the glory of him who is Lord of all the heavenly hosts; and who, on quitting the bright companies of the sky, to dwell for a while among the sons of dust, yet continued perfectly holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, untainted by the slightest shade of human corruption, original or actual; his mortal form providing a spotless sanctuary where the Godhead dwelt enshrined, pure in its character as the first Adam, before sin had entered to deface the heavenly work-pure as when the Lord breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and looked upon him, and pronounced him "good." Thus, blending earth and heaven, did our incarnate Jehovah appear among men, and patiently follow his assigned path of woe and suffering, fulfilling the law which our guilt had violated in every part, and dispelling the darkness of every soul that looks by faith to Him. The wise men who beheld that star, knew not whence it came, nor whither it went, yet they clearly beheld it, and stood not to question its origin. The people of their country were, of old, greatly famed for astronomy, and for science" falsely so called," and they might have spent, in vain questioning, the time afforded to observe the star; but not so-in all things they afforded us a most profitable lesson, and here we see the value of simple faith, as opposed to those "vain babblings," which abound whenever the pride of man begins to exercise itself by intruding into things not seen.

C

Much

of this spirit exists in our day: men "heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;" but let it be our prayer to be kept humble, remembering that our Star-the STAR of Jacob-shines to raise our view from earth to heaven, and to lift us high above the cavils and disputes, which the apostle points to as the mark of being, "not spiritual, but carnal.”

Rejoicing in the brightness of their guide, the eastern sages fixed their eyes upon it, and followed with glad steps as it glided onward towards the town of David. At length it became stationary; and over an humble cottage, where no one would have looked for a king. But this did not trouble the wise men: they sought Jesus, and wherever they found HIM, there was all their salvation, and all their desire. They found Him. Did they start back? Did they earnestly inquire whether majesty could indeed dwell in such a home? Not they. They saw Jesus; they who had sought Him in faith, now saw him by faith, and the visible light disappearing from their eyes, the day-star arose in their hearts, giving them such peace and joy as left no room for doubt.

And here let us particularly remark the language of Scripture. "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child, with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him." There can be no doubt but that these wise men were under the special teaching and direction of the Holy Spirit in all that they did. Their being miraculously warned in a dream, immediately after, proves that, although the star had disappeared, they were still the objects of God's peculiar care. They were led by the Spirit of God to salute the infant Jesus with divine ho

nours, for frankincense was burned on the altars of God; and the very act of worshipping him bespoke as much. Let us therefore take heed that we refuse not to render unto the second person in the glorious Trinity that homage which Jehovah claims: and let us also diligently and affectionately represent, to our Roman Catholic neighbours, how far were these heaven-directed sages from offering any worship, any gifts, unto the mother of Jesus. She was there before them, in that very attitude, probably, in which the Church of Rome loves to present her as a meet object of the people's devotion, holding the infant Jesus in her arms; and had she possessed any claim to the title, "Mother of God," it surely would then and there have been acknowledged. But no: Mother of God she could not be, who was but the creature of yesterday, brought into existence by his forming hand; and, by divine grace, made an humble and blessed partaker in the redemption purchased for sinners. But to worship, of whatever kind or degree, she had not, nor can have, any claim; nor is any expression or title addressed to her, which can sanction it. The angel Gabriel saluted her, saying, "Hail! thou that art highly favoured; the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women;" and the Lord greeted the women who first saw him after his resurrection, "All hail!” As it was said to Mary, "Blessed art thou among women"-it was said concerning another woman, "Blessed above women shall Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, be," Judges v. 24. To worship the Virgin Mary is certainly idolatrous, and we cannot be too earnest in warning all around us on a subject so important. Observe how distinctly it is said the wise men "fell down and worshipped HIM," even Jesus alone, who stooped

so low from his eternal throne, that, when he ascended up on high again, he might receive gifts for them, and for you and for me, such as Almighty power alone can furnish, and Almighty love alone bestow. And what are these precious gifts? The pardon of sin, without which all other things would be in vain. You may give money, and houses, and lands to a criminal who is under sentence of death: but what good can they do him, if he is still to be executed tomorrow? We are all condemned by the righteous law of the holy God, and delivered over to eternal death. Therefore, to make other gifts valuable, He must first give us a full pardon; and this the Lord Jesus does, as it is written, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins," Eph. i. 7. He gives repentance, for he is "exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance," Acts vi. 31.

He also gives faith; for, "By grace are ye saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God," Eph. ii. 8. He bestows a new nature: "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you," Ezek. xxxvi. 26. But who shall reckon up what Christ has purchased for his people? The riches of Christ "unsearchable," and the believer who has drawn most largely from that treasure-house, may still plead the promise, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not."

are

Let us, then, look to the star-the bright star of promise, which shines to direct us to the blessed King, the Lord Jesus, who stands ready to receive us, and to bestow on us all the rich purchase of his precious blood. We can offer him no gift, but only lay down at his feet the heavy burden of

« AnteriorContinuar »