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I. THE DAY OF CHRIST. Not a period of twenty-four hours, but, as is usual in the Bible, a dispensation.

1. Some of the remarkable days that Abraham saw.

(1)  Looking back he saw the day when the Everlasting Father embraced Abraham and all His chosen in Christ and designed their salvation (Proverbs 8:28).

(2)  The day of Christ's incarnation. "In thy seed," etc.

(3)  The day of Christ's oblation.

(4)  The day of Christ's resurrection.

(5)  The day of Christ's ascension.

(6)  The day of Pentecost.

(7)  The day of judgment as winding up the dispensation and completing the fulfilment of the promise.

2. The characteristics of this day. It was a day of —

(1)  Light.

(2)  Gladness.

(3)  Life.

(4)  Love.

(5)  Peace.

(6)  Salvation.

II. THE BLESSED VIEW WHICH FAITH TAKES OF THIS DAY.

1. It could not have been a sensible view — for sense never can discover God. The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God.

2. It was a spiritual view — a sight by faith. Faith, like the bodily eye, is —

(1)  A recipient organ.

(2)  An assuring organ. When a man sees a thing he cannot be mistaken if his sight is good, so a man cannot believe without knowing he is saved.

(3)  A directing organ. By the eye we are guided in our daily life, and by faith we walk in the light.

(4)  While a small, the eye is a capacious organ. What a wide prospect it can take in! So the least faith pierces the invisible.

(5)  An impressible organ. As scenes are impressed on the retina, so is Christ on faith.

III. THE JOY AND GLADNESS ARISING OUT OF THIS SIGHT. It was not carnal but spiritual joy, including —

1. Spiritual health (Psalm 33:1).

2. Soul satisfaction (Psalm 36:8).

3. Enlargement of soul.

4. It is cordial, hidden and unknown to the world, lasting, matchless and transcendent.

(T. Bagnall-Baker, M. A.)

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KJV: Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

WEB: Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad."