0n ~0~e object. nnd is r~flected to us. ~o'."1's nniversA!ly diffused presence requires such rcOcd1011 for us to 8ee 1t. ,ve h11ve this ln some degree in the works of natl\l'O-l!tar 8ea, and flower reflecting God's glory. But it is only in Christ the perfect Imacre thnt we can have the rerfoct manifestRtion of God. He only can say, "He that hath seen me bath seen the Father" (John xiv. 9), II. CHRIST m ms RELATIO~ TO THE WORLD. He is "the Firstborn of 1111 creation." That this expression refers, not to the Incarnatior., but to the Divine pre-existenco of Ch1ist, is rlain if only from the language of the following verse (ver. 16). It expres.cs two facts. 1. Pre-existence. We have no reason for thinking th&t the human soul of Christ existed before the Incarnation. But it is plainly taught by St. Paul that that which is Divine in him did so exist. Our Lord said the same of himself (John viii. 58). Without attempting to understand the mystery of the nature of God, we may gather this important lesson-that all those Divine characteristics which arc so beautifully revealed in Jesus of Nazareth were not l)roduced for the first time in the New Testa- ment days. Though kss knov.n, they were as really existing in the age of Moses and even at the first creation of the world. Therefore the very scheme of nature and the whole government of the world rnu~t be in accordance with what we know of Christ. As Christ will finally judge the world, and all that we know of his Spirit will lead us to be thankful that such a one is the Judge, so we may rejoice that the same Spirit of love and gentleness has been from the first eternally pervading all things. 2. Pre-eminence. The firstborn has the chief honour. Christ's rank is not only above that of the highest archangels; it is distinctive in kind. He is not the first creature of many creatures, but the first born of all creation, in the deepest sense the only begotten Son of the Father. (1) '!bus be who is most pure and good is most noble. (2) He who humbled himself and sacrificed himself the most was the most highly exalted. (3) All who trust in Christ may have the assurance that they could have no greater security for- their confidence. (4) Christ is worthy of worship.-W. F. A,
Ver. 18.-" The Firstborn from the dead." L IlEsunnECTION IS BIRTII. Christ rising the first from the dead is called the first born. Death looks ugly to us because we only see the earthly side. The experience of Christ should help us to look on to the other side and the issne of death in birth in the heavenly sphere. Thus the sunset of the east is the sunrise of the west. The Christian future is not merely rest; it is life. It is not a repetition of the old weary life of earth; it begins afresh in birth. IL CHllIBT INSTITUTES A 1mw ORDER OF LIFE. He is the new Adam. Mankind began its old life in the garden of Eden; it begins its new life in Joseph of Arimathma's i:arden. The sins, sorrows, and failures of the past are crucified with Christ, dead and buried. To the old weary earth Christ brings a new spring-time, and with it the birth of new hopes and energies. But the perfect development of this new order of things is only possible after death. Ch1ist has begun it, and as one by one his people follow him they too enter into its growing glories. • ill CHRIST IB SUPREME IN THE NEW LIFE. On earth be was lowly, despised, rejected, and slain. Proud enemies seemed to triumph over him. A Tiberius sat on the throne of the world and the Son of God was nailed to the cross. But in the new order he who was the Firstborn of all creation (ver. 15) resumes his rightfol rank and becomes the Firstborn from the dead. Therefore "he is the Head of the body, the Church." From this fact we may derive some important inferences; e.g.: 1. Christ being supreme in the heavenly world, his Spirit of purity and love will pervade and rule all its life. 2. They who follow Christ most closely in obedience to his will and in imitation of his character will enjoy the highest places in heaven. 3. Christ is worthy of the highest adoration now and through all eternity. IV. THE RESURRECTION OJ.l' CHRIST 18 THE EARNEST OJ.l' THE FUTURE LIFE OF BlB PEOPLE. He is the Firstborn, not the Only begotten from the dead; and he is" the First• Lorn among many brethren" (Rom. viii. 29). 1. The historical fact of the resurrection of Christ demonstrates by one instance the fact that death does not necessarily end all and indicates the 1,ossibility of a similar birth for us into a future life, 2. The character, teaching, mission, and work of Christ all teach us that he is not content to enjoy the resurrtctiou-lifo by himself, but will bring many sons to glory. 3. The risen life of Christ is the iype and pattern of tlie future life of his people,-W. F. A. • 011. I. 1--20.J TUE El'IS'l'LE TO THE COLOSSfANS. 79
Ver. 10.-(Sco ou eh. ii. 0.)-W. F. A.