The Saviour Reverenced
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"That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father." John 5:23.
There are several ways in which the Lord Jesus should be honoured by us. We should honour Him with our confidence, our affection, our obedience — and especially, with our most devout adoration. The latter is the highest honour which we can render Him, and that it is proper for us to do so, is clearly shown in the sacred volume. When Jesus was a man of sorrows in this lower world, He was repeatedly worshiped, and in no instance did He refuse such homage. How was it with the Eastern sages at His birth?
Not merely did they present their costly offerings — but they fell down before Him, and worshiped Him. How was it with those who heard Him rebuke the winds and waves, and who saw Him walking upon the boisterous billows, as upon a solid pavement? "Those who were in the ship," we are told, "came and worshiped Him." How was it with the blind man, upon whose sightless eyeballs, He poured the light of day? No sooner was he brought to know his great Deliverer, than he exclaimed, "Lord, I believe; and he worshiped Him." How was it with those devoted women who first beheld Him after He rose triumphant from the tomb? "They came, and held Him by the feet, and worshiped Him." And what was the last act of the disciples as He ascended from the heights of Olivet? "It came to pass, while He blessed them, He parted from them; and they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy."
In that blessed state on which He then entered, the homage that awaited Him was, not only equal — but immeasurably surpassed what He received here below! That such was the case appears from the glowing representations which are given by the exiled prophet of Patmos. Who, according to his statements, is the great object of the adorations of the heavenly multitudes? It is the Lamb who was slain; not separate from — but conjointly, with the Eternal Father. Not the least distinction is there between the worship paid to the one, and that which is rendered to the other. The same blessing, power, glory, thanksgiving, and might are equally ascribed to Him who sits upon the throne — and unto the Lamb. What a transporting sight! How do the heavenly legions, in countless multitudes and shining troops, press forward to present their profoundest homage!
O my soul, what are your feelings towards this exalted Personage? Are you despising Him on earth — who is thus honoured by saints and angels in heaven? Be assured that to reverence the Son is at once your bounden duty — and your highest privilege; and if you have at present no heart for such exercises as those to which we have referred — dream not of dwelling hereafter with those who will be thus employed, without intermission, and without end! "In a loud voice they sang: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!" Revelation 5:12
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