In Luke we see God, in Christ, coming out to man. In Ephesians we see man, in Christ, going in to God. In both books the death of Christ is seen in that aspect which the peace-offering emphasizes. God and man are brought together in communion, and man is blessed by riches of grace suited to the worth of Christ's sacrifice.
To take up one of the Gospels is like entering the sanctuary. As we approach this holy ground, let us loose the shoes from our feet, exploring every chapter with hearts that worship.
The true humanity of our Lord, as born of the virgin, is the opening theme of Luke (1:-4:13). We see a Man of a new and wondrous type, who is indeed "the Lord out of heaven," whom angels worship. And even as Man He is "the Son of God" in a special sense, begotten of God on the one hand, if also truly conceived of Mary on the other.
Yet the reality of His humanity dawns upon us with convicting power as the Spirit of God lingers over these holy scenes, showing us the little Babe, and then the Child, increasing "in wisdom and in stature." What songs are born in creature-hearts as this Babe is born into the world! Elizabeth sings in anticipation. Mary bursts into a wondrous hymn. Zacharias sings because his own child is the forerunner of the Other. And when the Babe is born and laid in a manger, the angels burst forth in a grand chorus. The shepherds also glorify and praise God. A little later, at Jerusalem, Simeon lifts up a hymn as he holds the Babe in his arms. Anna also gives thanks to God, and tells the good news to other waiting hearts. From that day to this, human hearts have been filled with song as the Holy Spirit brought these things to remembrance.
The Saviour comes before us in chapters 4:14-18:34. The grace of the Saviour, and of the salvation He brings, are emphasized by Luke. Some very touching portions, like the parables in chapter 15:, are found nowhere else. Other things are told in a way peculiar to this Gospel. Everywhere it is God's grace dispensed to us by the hands of a Man; God's face shining upon us from the face of a Man.
The Man of prayer, the Man of faith, the Man truly dependent upon God, and truly obedient, is also especially before us here. He is our pattern and example, as well as the light of our souls.
The peace-offering is seen in Christ upon the cross, where we see also the High Priest interceding for the people (18:35-24:). The salvation of the thief is only found in this Gospel. Last of all, the risen Priest and Saviour, blessing His own, ascends into heaven, to appear before God for them.
God's will as the source of all our blessing is the subject of Ephesians 1:We learn that all the wealth of blessing which now comes to us through Christ is simply the carrying out of a purpose which God had before the world's foundation. That purpose is summed up in two things:(i) that the Man Christ Jesus should be Head over all things; (2) that His Church should be brought into this glorious inheritance with Him as His body, itself the fulness of Him who fills all. But note the rich details.
God's workmanship is the subject of chapter 2:There is a new creation. Dead in sins, we could do nothing; God gives us life with Christ, raises us up, and seats us in heaven in Him. Thus it is God's work from first to last, as well as God's plan. All is of grace, and nothing of ourselves. We are " God's workmanship; " by Him "created in Christ Jesus."
One new man, formed out of Jew and Gentile, and looked at as the fruit of Christ's death, also comes before us in this chapter.
A holy temple and a house are two aspects in which the Church is viewed in this same chapter. The temple here is the Church as a growing thing, composed of all the saints, living or dead, since Pentecost. The House, inhabited by the Spirit of God, consists of all the saints on the earth at any given time.
The mystery is unfolded in chapter 3:In Old Testament prophecy the Jew everywhere has a place of superiority over the Gentile, when both are blessed by God. But not so in the present dispensation. Gentiles are fellow-heirs with the Jews who are saved, are no longer separate but united together in one body, the Church, and equally partake of the blessings in Christ unfolded in the gospel. This is the mystery (verse 6).
The Assembly, Christ's body, a living organism, is presented in chapter 4:Christ is its Head, from which the body draws nourishment. The Spirit of God indwells it all. There are special gifts-men fitted for special service; yet the body edifies itself in love by that which every part, every member, supplies, drawing from Christ, the Head. The Church as
The Bride of Christ is seen in chapter 5:, brought in when the apostle gives practical directions to husband and wife, whose relation is a type of that of Christ and His Church. Practical precepts for parents and children, masters and servants, and for our work through the world, also appear. The thought is that the character of our heavenly calling should be brought into all our natural relationships, glorifying them, as in Luke we see how our Lord glorified them.
Christian warfare is a most important subject of chapter 6:It is a warfare of principles, of truth against error, holiness against wickedness. Though we may seem to be opposing men in it, the fight is really against the wicked spirits in the heavenly places, who rule over this present age, and have the men of this world under their power and inspiration. Oh for the whole armor of God, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, and the knees bowed down in unceasing prayer! On the knees, in the sanctuary, is every victory really won. What need for this in our day ! F. A.