O PRECIOUS, PRECIOUS JESUS!

"Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood." -Hebrews 13:12 [KJV]

My soul, I would have thee this evening, take a view of thy Jesus in His own blood, under the special and particular act in which this scripture holds Him forth; sanctifying the people by the application of it, as the great object and design for which He suffered. There is somewhat uncommonly interesting in this view, though not so commonly considered. That this is the only laver for sin, is unquestionable; and that it is infinitely meritorious, and of eternal efficacy, is also equally true.  

But when we consider farther, the infinite purity of it, flowing, as it did, from an holy heart, in a nature that was altogether holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; there is somewhat which, though too deeply founded in mystery to be perfectly apprehended by us, may yet serve to intimate the immense preciousness of it, and its immense importance and value. But we must not stop here. The union of the Godhead with the human nature, giving both dignity and validity to the sacrifice which Jesus once offered, that He might sanctify the people; here angels, as well as men, find their faculties unable to ascertain the extent of the wonderful subject; and, perhaps, through all eternity, none among the creation of God, will fully be competent to explain it.  

But, my soul, though unable to explain, or unable to conceive the infinitely precious nature of thy Jesus's blood, yet do thou gather this sweet and soul-reviving thought from the contemplation; it must be in itself so incalculable in value, and so infinitely powerful in its pardoning and cleansing properties, that no sin, no, not all the sin of finite creatures taken in the aggregate, can stand before it. Oh precious, precious Jesus! precious, precious blood of Jesus, which cleanseth from all sin! Oh, let me hear, and feel, and know my personal interest in that sweet promise of my God in Christ, and my happiness is made for ever; "I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you." Amen! Amen! So be it. 

-Robert Hawker (1753-1827 A.D.)