762. EZE 10:14. THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

Eze_10:14. The Christian Ministry

"And every one had four faces; the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle."’97Eze_10:14.

In this chapter the providence and government of God are set forth in mysterious and sublime hieroglyphics, a mode of writing particularly common to Ezekiel, and which is presented in awful grandeur in the book of the Apocalypse. The text seems to have a decided reference to the angelic hosts,’97those ministers of God who do his pleasure. They are brought before us as the active instruments of the divine government, and the executors of his wondrous purposes. To resemble these should be the great desire of every Christian, that God’s will may be done on earth even as it is done in heaven. But especially should this be the case with the Christian minister: his office greatly resembles that of the holy intelligences above; he is a messenger of God to mankind, an angel of the Church, and therefore well does it become him to study the character, and emulate the holiness of cherubim and seraphim in heaven.

To show you, dear brother, the particular points of resemblance, and urge their importance, will be the design of this address. The different likenesses of these holy beings are designed to exhibit their various attributes and characteristics. Observe the first face,

I. Was that of a cherub.

We shall consider this as the symbol,

1. Of exalted dignity.

Dwelling around the throne of Deity. In his immediate presence. His especial ambassadors, &c. No office can be more exalted than that of the Christian ministry. It is that to which Jehovah appointed his own Son One writer quaintly remarks, God had only one Son, and he made a preacher of him." "Workers together with God," &c.

2. Of elevated devotion.

They are represented as holding great intimacy and close fellowship with God. They are ever praising him, serving him day and night, &c. Crying one to another, "Holy, holy," &c. How indispensable that the ministers of Christ live near to the Lord, hold close communion with the skies. Thus, to be like Abraham, and Moses, and Samuel, imbued with the spirit of devotion.

3. Of distinguished holiness.

Ye that bear the vessels of the Lord, &c., as the priests of old. "Holiness unto the Lord" must be on the breastplate of the Christian minister. Not only partakers of the ordinary graces of the Spirit, but adorned with the mature fruits of holiness to the glory of God. How the apostle urged upon Timothy, "Keep thyself pure," &c. Observe,

II. The second symbol is that of a man. With the sanctity of the cherub is to be united the sympathy of sanctified humanity. Jesus, that he might be a faithful and sympathetic high-priest, was made in all points like unto us. As men, Christian ministers

1. Are to be influenced by their relationship to Jesus as head of the Church.

They should have his meekness, humility, lowliness, desire to labor, &c. Readiness to suffer, &c. As men, they are

2. To feel for their fellow-sinners peculiar compassion.

They are their brethren, of one blood, spirit, and destiny. Hearts are to feel, bowels to yearn, &c. Such long for their salvation. As men,

3. They are to know their own insufficiency and entire dependence on God’s blessing.

This treasure in earthen vessels, &c. We preach not ourselves, &c. Who is sufficient for these things, &c. Paul planteth, &c.

III. The third emblem was the face of a lion.

By this we are to understand the strength and magnanimity, which are necessary to the ministerial office. The Christian minister must be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus. He must be strong to resist evil, to stand firm in the conflict, and to conduct himself as a man of God. Whoso quails, he must not fear. Whoso flies, he must be at his post. Whoso apostatizes, he must hold fast the faith. Whoso tires, he must run to the glorious goal. He must have fortitude to brave clangers, to withstand gainsayers, to fear not the face of men; and, if necessary, to lay down his life in the cause of Jesus. There are especial seasons, trying circumstances, and dangerous periods, when the minister cannot vindicate his official character, or fulfil his duty, unless he have the heart and face of the lion.

IV. The fourth symbol is that of the eagle. By this,

1. The true character of the minister’s work is portrayed.

He has to do with spiritual things. His business is not "of the earth, earthy," but his message, his powers, his designs, are all heavenly. He teaches not philosophy, science, economy, legislation, but the truths of the kingdom of God, the knowledge of the way of salvation. "These men are the servants of the living God," &c.

2. The symbol of the eagle may be designed also to be expressive of their ardor and zeal. And these are of the utmost importance to the minister of Jesus. With these his soul must burn with unabating fervency. He is to be instant, earnest, energetic, zealously affected in every good thing.

8. His soul is to yearn with intense anxiety over perishing sinners.

He is to devote all his powers to the exalting of his Lord, and the saving of souls. Such, then, are the symbolical features which should distinguish the ministers of Jesus Christ; and these peculiar excellences should be united. With the exalted dignity, elevated devotion, and distinguished holiness of the cherub, must be allied the lowliness, the human affection, and conscious self-insufficiency of man; and these are to be found in connection with an heroic and magnanimous spirit, and a fervent quenchless zeal in the cause of Jesus.

Application

1. Let the solemn character of the office ever be cherished, and a lively sense of its importance be maintained from day to day.

2. Let the glorious results of faithfulness in the Saviour’s service animate to constancy and perseverance.

The divine word will give abundant directions, and supply ample materials for the formation of the exalted ministerial character. The Holy Spirit will impart every necessary influence and gift; and Jesus, the head of the Church, will communicate a plenitude of grace from his unbounded fulness.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS