Spurgeon: May AM
* 05/14/AM
"Joint heirs with Christ."
--Romans 8:17
The boundless realms of His Father's universe are Christ's by
prescriptive right. As "heir of all things," He is the sole
proprietor of the vast creation of God, and He has admitted us
to claim the whole as ours, by virtue of that deed of
joint-heir-ship which the Lord hath ratified with His chosen
people. The golden streets of paradise, the pearly gates, the
river of life, the transcendent bliss, and the unutterable
glory, are, by our blessed Lord, made over to us for our
everlasting possession. All that He has He shares with His
people. The crown royal He has placed upon the head of His
Church, appointing her a kingdom, and calling her sons a royal
priesthood, a generation of priests and kings. He uncrowned
Himself that we might have a coronation of glory; He would not
sit upon His own throne until He had procured a place upon it
for all who overcome by His blood. Crown the head and the whole
body shares the honour. Behold here the reward of every
Christian conqueror! Christ's throne, crown, sceptre, palace,
treasure, robes, heritage, are yours. Far superior to the
jealousy, selfishness, and greed, which admit of no
participation of their advantages, Christ deems His happiness
completed by His people sharing it. "The glory which thou gavest
me have I given them." "These things have I spoken unto you,
that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be
full." The smiles of His Father are all the sweeter to Him,
because His people share them. The honours of His kingdom are
more pleasing, because His people appear with Him in glory. More
valuable to Him are His conquests, since they have taught His
people to overcome. He delights in His throne, because on it
there is a place for them. He rejoices in His royal robes, since
over them His skirts are spread. He delights the more in His
joy, because He calls them to enter into it.