My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me :and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." (John 10:27, 28.)

Is He not every way competent now to make good His blessed words ? who but Himself was able to meet the fearful necessity of the cross to meet our deep need ? who, where, could one be found, to go under the guilt and curse of our lost estate ? Ah! who could cry, " My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me ?" and stem the tide of the wrath of a holy, righteous, sin-hating God ? Who but the holy Sufferer could, as the darkness of midnight blackness was passing, in which righteous wrath had been executed, say, "It is finished"-"Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit" ?

Now look at the answer, as given us in Ephesians. Paul prays that the eyes of their understanding being enlightened they might know what was "the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of the power of His might, which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also that which is to come; and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all."

Do we need to question who it is that God thus owns ? God's Man for men, the holy divine Son, "in the bosom of the Father," yet perfect in His dependent, obedient life rendered up, of which His precious blood was a witness.

Now, beloved, He is head of God's house, the High-priest. It was Aaron's rod that budded, and brought forth. He who awakened very early that resurrection morn is the first-fruit of them that sleep. Alone has the corn of wheat been planted; yet now in resurrection glory, He is associated with many brethren. "It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who also is at the right hand of God, who ever liveth to make intercession for us."

Is He not able ? Who is He who is now advocate with the Father ? Is it not Jesus Christ the righteous, who was propitiation for our sins ? Is He not able to carry us on to a full final salvation, in the power of an endless life ? Look up, look up into His blessed face, and let your soul rest on the words of Him "who ever liveth to make intercession for us," and hear Him say, " They shall never perish." W. McK.