OCT 25
October 25.
"Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care . . . Even angels long to look into these things!" 1 Peter 1:10-12
Both earth and heaven are intensely interested in the great redeeming work of Christ. There are wise men who are so busy in their researches into little earthly matters, that they cannot get time to study the things of the spiritual kingdom of God. But nothing in this world so merits the thought, study, and research of the wisest beings in the universe—as Christ's work of redemption.
The interest of the angels in Christ's suffering as the Redeemer, is very beautiful. There is a picture by Domenichino which represents the scene on Calvary, after the Savior's body had been taken down and laid in the grave. The cross is empty. An angel stands beside the crown of thorns which lies there, feeling with the tip of his finger, one of its sharp points. His face wears a look of wonder. He is trying to find out the meaning of suffering—but he cannot understand it nor fathom its depth.
The artist's thought is, that to this angel the sufferings of Christ were a great mystery which he was trying to comprehend. The same thought is suggested in the words, "even angels long to look into these things!" Surely it is worth while to give thought and attention to the wonderful things of Christ's redemption, since even the angels find in them mystery worthy of their deepest study.