The Pulpit Commentary — Hebrews — Section 136

doings. There may be no outward departure, but inner backslidin"0 ; and if so, the Word discovers and judges it. II. FnoM TllE SIN OF APOSTASY OUR HIGH PRIEST IS ABLE TO DELIVER us. How delightful to be able to turn from the preceding to this: " Having a great etc. " ! From the fears excited we are bidden to look up to our Priest-King in the heavens. l. Th6 guilt of apostasy needs atonement. That need is met in the vision of Jesus as High Priest passed within the veil, to present on our behalf the blood of sprinklin~. which cries for and secures mercy. "The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth:" etc. 2. The temptation to aposta.1y needs help. That need, also, is met in the vision of Jesus as High Priest, Intercessor. He bears no jewelled names on his breast, but his people's names are graven on those hands ever stretched toward the throne in prayer. " Simon, Simon, Satan bath," etc. Therefore "let us hold fast." 3. Th1 resistance of apostasy needs sympathy. To refuse to be unfaithful often brings sufferincr. To cleave to Christ meant to these Hebrews the spoiling of their goods, etc. The nee~l that brings solace and help is also met in the vision of Christ as High Priest. The "yet without sin" draws him nearer; for, to maintain a sinless heart and character, he must have experienced the keenest pains of self-crucifixion and temptation, and there- fore knows this suffering at its greatest, and " is able to succour those," etc. Ill. To OBTA:::Y OUR HIGH PRIEST'S DELIVERUIG HELP WE MUST DRAW NEAR TO TUE THRONE OF GBAOE. 1. He who has apostatize'l is invited, for Christ is the sinne,~s High Priest, " We have a High Priest." \Vho 't " Jesus belongs to the sinner." lie is given to save; then he belongs to the man who needs saving. Have we part in bis sacrifice? is answered by another question-Do you need it? Let such draw near. 2. He who has su.ffered in resisting apostasy is invited, for we may come "saying all." "Let us draw near with boldness;" literally, "saying all." ·we cannot tell our fears, sufferings, temptations, victories, to any creature, and our hearts get full for want of one to understand our deepest experience. Then we may go to Christ, and at his feet make a clean breast of everything, "saying all." " Pour out your hearts before him," etc. Let such draw near. 3. He who is tempted to apostasy is invited, for here "mercy and grace" are given. Mercy and grace are free-free to the unde- serving. Mercy for the past, grace for the future. Let those whose sin and infirmity and circumstances need these draw near, for such are welcome.-0. N. Vers. 1, 2.-Believers in Israel and in Christ. I. THE RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN THE PROMISE AND PROSPECT OF ANCIENT ISRAEL AND BELIEVERS IN CmusT. The Hebrew people had a promise which was given to Abraham as trustee for his descendants, which was that after many years of suffering in Egypt they should be released from slavery and oppression, and be led to the rest and enjoyment of Canaan. It was a promise which signifies the spontaneous declaration of the kindness and mercy of Jehovah, and flowed from bis love toward Israel. It is a beam from the "Father of lights," who prevents us with the blessings of goodness, and meets us with the offers of grace aud loving-kindness. This thought pervades the gospel, which is the free and unsolicited gil't of God to tho world; for there was no cry of spiritual distress and no agony of remorse which prompted men to desire salvation, The whole of the Christian system is suffused with the light and beauty of the" promises of him who cannot lio." 'l'his required on the part of Israel suitable and becoming exertion. They were to set forth from Egypt, and then listen to bis Law at Sinai, and march under the Divine guidance, that God might bring upon them all that he had spoken. Similarly believers in our Lord arc to "work out their salvation with fear and trembling," and are to leave the things that are behind and teach forth to those that aro before. Israel had one thing to do; and those who bcliovo in Christ are to seek the end of their faith in their admittance into the Father's house, where, instead of perishable tent and frequent change, there are many mansions of stability and eternal peace. It is a promise of rest, The Hebrews felt that in Egypt they did not belong to the nation in whose country they dwelt. They bad no thought of permanence, no civil freedom, no security of person, and no fruit from their e~acted labours. It may be believed that the promise and prospect of Canaan silently influenced their hearts and quickened desires for emancipation. 'l'he prospect of rest began to be very precious as suffering abounded; and at the appointed time they rose to oommence the journey to the 11romised laud. '!'hose who believe in the Captain of 128 THE EPISTLE TO THE HEDREWS. [olI, iv.1-16.