301. 1PE 1:12. ANGELIC STUDENTS
1Pe_1:12. Angelic Students
"Which things the angels desire to look into"’971Pe_1:12
The salvation to be effected by Christ was an event so truly great and momentous, that it occupied the thoughts of holy men for thousands of years before it was accomplished. The apostle says the prophets diligently searched, as to the time the Spirit testified of, when he revealed the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. And the same theme that occupied the attention of prophets and holy men, also engages the contemplations of angels: "Which things the angels desire to look into."
Let us consider, I. The Subject. And, II. The Manner and Motives, of angelic Contemplation.
I. The Subject of angelic Contemplation
Now this subject comprehended two things:
1. The sufferings of Christ.
And in the sufferings of Jesus, what an extensive and mysterious field of meditation was placed before them!
(1) With the person of the sufferer. Angels had never beheld a person like unto the Son of God. They were acquainted with men, and they worshipped God; but in Christ they beheld the essential Deity, enshrined in real humanity God incarnate. God manifest in the flesh. The Father of eternity, united, and truly one with the child born. Then they would be astonished.
(2) With the sufferings he endured.
(a) That innocency, yea, essential goodness and holiness, should suffer. Fallen angels and fallen men might justly suffer, but here was immaculate purity suffering.
(b) At the sources of his suffering. Not only did he suffer from devils, whom he came to spoil and overpower, but from the men whom he came to redeem and save. Yea, more, from his heavenly Father, whose well-beloved Son and eternal delight he was. How they would marvel when they beheld the Father smiting the man that was his fellow.
(c) At the intensityof his sufferings. All other sufferings they had beheld were but as drops, but the billows went over his sacred head, &c.
(d) At the objects for whom he so suffered. Worthless, totally undeserving objects. Ungodly, polluted, &c.
Then the subject of angelic study embraced also,
2. The glory which should follow.
Christ possessed eternal and universal glory before he suffered. "He was rich," &c. But he was to have peculiar glory, as the reward of his mediatorial undertaking. He was to prolong his days. See his seed. Extend his kingdom. Have unbounded empire. Be blessed from the rising to the setting sun. Trample on the necks of all his enemies. And receive the acclamations of the redeemed forever and ever. Now there is a connection between the sufferings of Christ and this glory. The one is the basis of the other. His mediatorial glory was obtained by his mediatorial sufferings.
Observe,
II. The Manner of angelic Contemplation.
Doubtless this was beautifully represented by the cherubim placed at the end of the ark, and seemed intently gazing into it, as if anxious to be acquainted with its secret contents.
The angels desire to be acquainted with these things,
1. With especial interest and attention.
Not satisfied with a transient glance. But bring all their powers to bear upon it. Labor to fathom the profound depths. Not idle gazers, but diligent students.
2. With humility and reverence We often speak of the greatness of angels, but they are as lowly as they are exalted. How they hallow the name of Deity! Worship with deepest awe, &c. Never forget their proper place, &c.
3. With wonder and delight.
Here are fresh displays of the glories of Deity. Fresh exhibitions of his illustrious perfections. And these are exhibitions and displays of mercy and goodness, and therefore particularly gratifying to the loving and benevolent angels.
Let us then consider,
III. The Motives by which we may presume them to be influenced.
1. Angels are intelligent beings, and here they have fresh accessions of knowledge.
"The highest seraph never saw
So much of God before."
As they witnessed the unfolding of the stupendous mystery,
"They wondered how and where at length,
The mystic scene would end."
2. Angels are holy beings, and these things are connected with the interests of truth and purity.
Yes, the work of redemption is a work of holiness. A display of the holiness of God. A plan for the renovation of an unholy world.
3. Angels are benevolent beings, and therefore delight in the exercises of mercy.
How delighted then must they be, to witness the execution of a plan, that stamps sin with all that is evil, and saves its victims from its present and eternal consequences. "Joy in heaven," &c.
4. Angels are concerned for the honor of Deity, and here his glory is peculiarly displayed.
"Here the whole Deity is known," &c.
5. Angels are necessarily concerned for their own happiness, and that is greatly enhanced by the salvation of sinners.
New sources of happiness are opened to them. New songs of joy celebrated. New associates in bliss. New compact with Jesus and his redeemed church, &c.
Application
Learn,
1. The preeminent claim the work of redemption has upon our study and meditation.
2. We are vastly more concerned in these things than the angels.
3. Let us be oftener found imitating these heavenly models, and anticipate the period when we shall join in their holy services, before the throne of God forever.
4. This can only be realized by a personal interest in the work of the Saviour.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS