Christ—the First and the Last

Christ—the First and the Last

Christ does not merely go before us as the First into every difficulty; He also remains in every difficulty until we have come safely through. In Joshua 3 we read that the priests bearing the ark went down into the Jordan ahead of the people in order to prepare the way, and they stood there until all of Israel had crossed over—not only the strong men, but also the weak and the little children. Even so is Christ the First and the Last. He has measured all our steps with His own feet, and He knows exactly how much strength and grace we need in order to pass through, just as He Himself has passed through. He is the great and merciful High Priest at the throne of grace, to give us help in the time of need in our difficulties, and to bestow grace in the hour of temptation, so that we may not sin. He remains as the Lamb that has been slain (Revelation 5) before the throne of God, until those who have been cleansed in His blood and who have walked in His way are brought fully to the throne.