passed over as a mere accidental and uninteresting occurrence; it surely may be considered as intimating to us,
1. What was his object in coming into the world —
[We are told by St. Peter, that " God sent him to bless usb." Man was cursed, as a transgressor of God's law: nor could he, by any means, remove the curse or obtain any bless- ing whatever. Sin interposed an insurmountable obstacle in his way. But Jesus undertook to remove this obstacle : to expiate the guilt of sin by the sacrifice of himself, and thus to open a way for man's reconciliation with his offended God. This sacrifice he had now offered, and had " finished the work which God had given him to do." Now therefore he authoritatively pronounced his Disciples blessed : blessed, as believing in his name ; blessed, as interested in his death ; blessed, as committed to his protection ; and blessed, as fellow- heirs of his glory. Just as the high-priest, after offering his sacrifice, was to bless the people0, so now Jesus intimated that the end of his incarnation was accomplished, and that, as our Great High-priest, he was empowered to bless his people with all spiritual and eternal blessings'1.]
2. What should be his occupation xvhen lie ivas cle- -parted from it —
[He was not now going to relinquish their concerns : on the contrary, he would still be as mindful of them as ever. He was going to heaven upon their business ; " as their fore- runner," " to prepare places for them;" " to make continual intercession for them ;" to take on himself the management of the universe for them ;" and to receive a fulness of all gifts and graces for them, that " they might receive out of it" according to their several necessities. His removal, though it interrupted the sight of his person, and the hearing of his voice, should not interrupt the communication of his blessings : He would still load his Disciples with the richest blessings, and " not them only, but also all who should believe in him through their word :" and, if we now look to him with the eye of faith, we may behold him, as it were, at this very instant occupied as he was at the moment of his departure from the world : he is still blessing, blessing, blessing his believing people : " having received gifts for men, he is daily and hourly bestowing them, even on the most rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell among theme:" yea, he will yet further extend his favours to
»» Acts iii. 26. c Lev. ix. 22.
a Gen. xiv. 18—20. e Ps. Ixviii. 18.