2. I see in Thee my Way of Access to God
What Follows this Confession
THIS confession cannot be barren. It contains in it such truth as must be productive in many ways. All truth is indeed fruitful according to its kind, but this is the most fruitful of all.
It contains, besides, so much personal truth,—truth which we need, and truth which could not be reached in any other way. Its effect upon us is marvellous. Its teachings are as manifold as they are divine. It wraps up within it so many other truths, that in getting hold of it we find ourselves in possession of 'unsearchable riches.'
If Thou art the Christ, then
1. I see in Thee the Love of God
It is specially with this that we have to do; for without this, man must be poor and dark,—a land without a stream,—a world without a sun. Messiah is (1) the gift of God's love, (2) the embodiment of God's love, (3) the pledge of God's love, (4) the measure of God's love. I read in Thy person, Thy words, Thy doings, Thy life, Thy death, that 'God is love.' It is of the love of Godhead that Thou hast brought us the glad tidings; for the Father sent Thee to announce His love. 'God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son.' Love shineth in Thee; not merely love such as heaven needs, but such as earth needs,—love such as is needed by the unlovable and the unworthy,—the love of forgiveness, and reconciliation, and peace,— the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thy birth spoke of love. Thy life spoke of love. Thy words spoke of love. Thy miracles spoke of love. All Thy footsteps were the footsteps of love. And Thy death was the death of love. It was the love of God that shone down from Thy cross upon earth, like a new-lighted sun. The love of the cradle was much; the love of the cross was more. In Thee, the Christ of God, we learn the love of God.
2. I see in Thee my Way of Access to God