---

I. With Jesus Christ Himself we begin by saying, first, that Jesus Himself is THE ESSENCE OF HIS OWN WORK, and, therefore, how readily we ought to trust Him. Jesus Himself is the soul of His own salvation. How does the apostle describe it? "He loved me, and gave Himself for me." Because of this, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the object of our faith. "Look unto Me," "Come unto Me." How very simple, easy, natural, ought faith to be henceforth!

II. "Jesus Christ Himself" is THE SUBSTANCE OF THE GOSPEL, and therefore how closely should we study Him. While He was hero He taught His disciples, and the object of His teaching was that they might know Himself, and through Him might know the Father. Whatever else they may be ignorant of, it is essential to disciples that they know their Lord. His nature, character, mind, spirit, object, power, we must know — in a word, we must know Jesus Himself.

1. This, beloved, is the work of the Holy Spirit. "He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you." The Holy Ghost reveals Christ to us and in us.

2. Because Jesus is the sum of the gospel, He must be our constant theme. Put out the sun, and light is gone, life is gone, all is gone. The more of Christ in our testimony, the more of light and life and power to save.

III. JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF IS THE OBJECT OF OUR LOVE, and how dear He should be. The love of a truth is all very well, but the love of a person has far more power in it. We have heard of men dying for an idea, but it is infinitely more easy to awaken enthusiasm for a person. When an idea becomes embodied in a man, it has a force which, in its abstract form, it never wielded. Jesus Christ is loved by us as the embodiment of everything that is lovely, and true, and pure, and of good report. He Himself is incarnate perfection, inspired by love. We love His offices, we love the types which describe Him, we love the ordinances by which He is set forth, but we love Himself best of all.

1. Because we love Him, we love His people, and through Him we enter into union with them. We are at one with every man who is at one with Christ. So warm is the fire of our love to Jesus that all His friends may sit at it, and welcome. Our circle of affection comprehends all who in any shape or way have truly to do with Jesus Himself.

2. Because we love Himself we delight to render service to Him. Whatever service we do for His Church, and for His truth, we do for His sake; even if we can only render it to the least of His brethren we do it unto Him.

IV. JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF IS THE SOURCE OF ALL OUR JOY. How ought we to rejoice, when we have such a springing well of blessedness. What a joy to think that Jesus is risen — risen to die no more: the joy of resurrection is superlative.

V. JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF IS THE MODEL OF OUR LIFE, and therefore how blessed it is to be like Him. As to our rule for life, we are like the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration when Moses and Elias had vanished, for we see "no man save Jesus only." Every virtue found in other men we find in Him in greater perfection; we admire the grace of God in them, but Jesus Himself is our pattern. It was once said of Henry VIII, by a severe critic, that if the characteristics of all the tyrants that had ever lived had been forgotten, they might all have been seen to the life in that one king: we may more truly say of Jesus, if all graces, and virtues, and sweetnesses which have ever been seen in good men could all be forgotten, you might find them all in Him: for in Him dwells all that is good and great. We, therefore, desire to copy His character and put our feet into His footprints.

VI. Lastly, HE IS THE LORD OF OUR SOUL. How sweet it will be to be with Him. We find today that His beloved company makes everything move pleasantly, whether we run in the way of His commands, or traverse the valley of the shadow of death. A poor girl, lying in the hospital, was told by the doctor or the nurse that she could only live another hour. She waited patiently, and when there remained only one quarter of an hour more, she exclaimed: "One more quarter of an hour, and then." She could not say what, and neither can I; only Jesus Himself hath said, "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory." And as He has prayed, so it shall be, and so let it be. Amen and Amen.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

---

---

KJV: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

WEB: being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;