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I. THE PROPERTIES OF CHRIST AS A FOUNDATION.

1. He is a laid foundation (Isaiah 28:16). Christ did not take upon Himself this honour. He that could best tell what would best serve pitched upon His own Son for that purpose.

2. A low foundation. Foundations are wont to be laid low, the lower the surer. So the Lord Jesus (Philippians 2:6-9). There were several steps of His humiliation.

(1)  Into the human nature.

(2)  Into subjection under the laws.

(3)  Into poverty and persecution, contempt and contradiction.

(4)  To death itself.

(5)  To the grave.

3. He is a foundation of stone (Isaiah 28:16). A stone is the fittest thing for foundation, because it is hard and firm, and yet easily hewn. Now Christ is a rock (1 Corinthians 10:4).

4. He is a foundation out of sight. All foundations are so. Christ is out of sight, not below, as He once was, but above, in glory.

(1) His person is out of sight, yet we love Him (1 Peter 1:8).

(2) His presence is with us everywhere, especially in His ordinances, but in an invisible way (Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20).

(3) His proceedings are invisible — those of His grace within; of His providence without (Psalm 77, ult.).

5. He is a precious foundation (Isaiah 28:16). Though all stones in their place be useful, yet they are not all precious stones. Few buildings are built upon precious stones, but the Church is. Christ is precious —

(1) In Himself. "The chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely."(2) In the account and esteem of His disciples. To others He is a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence (1 Peter 2:7).

6. He is a permanent foundation (Isaiah 26:4) — the rock of ages, from everlasting to everlasting. The saints have been building on Him from the beginning, and will build on Him to the end of time. He is "the same yesterday," &c. His righteousness, His promises are unchangeable.

7. He is an elect, or chosen foundation (Isaiah 28:16; Isaiah 42:1).

8. He is an experienced or tried foundation. He was tried —

(1) By God, who laid upon Him the iniquities of us all.

(2) By men and devils, who did their best against Him, bus all to no purpose.

(3) By the saints, who have had occasion to make use of Him, and He has never failed them.

II. OUR DUTY IN REFERENCE TO THIS FOUNDATION.

1. To believe all this concerning Him.

2. To see our need of Him. We have each of us a building to rear, and what foundation have we? None in ourselves.

3. To renounce all other foundations. They are but sand (Matthew 7:24).

4. To repair to Him. In the way of faithful and fervent prayer tell Him you are sensible of your need of Him, and that you are undone without Him.

5. To build upon Him.

(1)  In the great business of justification.

(2)  In all our perils and dangers (Psalm 46:1; Psalm 62:1, 2).

6. To beware what we build upon this foundation, in opinion and in practice (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). If we build loose, careless walking, our hopes built will be accordingly wood, hay, stubble, &c.

(Philip Henry.)

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KJV: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

WEB: For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.