to
" Gen. iii, 15.
to the mansions of heaven. It had been covenanted on his Father's part, that after his conflicts on earth he should be raised in his manhood to the right hand of God, and that, thus en- throned, he should put every enemy under his feet''. This vs^as now to be fulfilled : the victory was gained : and nothing now remained to complete the glorious work but the installation of Messiah on his promised throne. Hence the exulting reply to the inquiry, " Who is this King of glory ? " *' The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle ; the Lord of Hosts, He is the King of glory ! " and, as such, he comes to take possession of his throne, and calls on all the hosts of heaven to celebrate and adorn his triumphs.]
But to participate the joy expressed in our text, we should understand,
II. The interest we have in his ascension —
It is not as a private individual that he has ascended, for then we should have mourned as Elisha did for Elijah, and as the Apostles were disposed to do, when he advertised them of his intentions to depart from them. But we have reason rather to re- joice in his departure, yea, far more than if he had continued upon earth to the present hour*": for he is ascended,
1. As our Great High Priest — [The office of the High Priest was but half pierformed when he had slain the sacrifice: he must carry the blood within the veil, to sprinkle it upon the Mercy-seat ; and he must burn in- cense also before the Mercy-seat. Now our blessed Lord was to execute every part of the priestly office j and therefore he must carry his own blood within the veil, and present also before the Mercy-seat the incense of his continual intercession. Agree- ably to this we are told, " that by his own blood he is entered into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us ;" that " he is gone to appear in the presence of God for us ;" and that *' he ever liveth to make intercession for us **." What a blessed thought is this ! Have I a doubt whether my sins shall be for- given ? Behold, he is at this very moment pleading in his Father's presence the merit of his blood, which is a sufficient " propitiation not for my sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Have I a doubt whether God will hear my unworthy petitions ? Behold, Jesus, my Great High Priest, will secure, l)y his own pre- vailing intercession, an everlasting acceptance both of my person and services at the hands of Almighty God.]
1. As
'' Ps. ex. 1. " John xiv. 28. ^ Heb. vii. 25. & ix. 12, 24.