Some things are not only worth reading, but worth reading aloud. I stumbled upon just such a thing a short time ago and wanted to share it with you. This beautiful bit of writing comes from a Dr. William Plumer and what was apparently his inaugural address at Western Theological Seminary. Do yourself a favor and read it—out loud, of course. (Note: I took the liberty of editing it slightly to remove or replace some antiquated words and to just otherwise smooth it out a little. You can find the original here.)
Jesus Christ is a wonderful, glorious person. To his people he is altogether lovely. He is their Advocate, the angel of the covenant, the author and finisher of faith. He is the alpha and the omega, the Beloved, the shepherd and bishop of souls, the bread of life, the bridegroom, the bright and morning star, the brightness of the Father’s glory, and the express image of his person.
He is their Creator, captain, counselor, covenant, cornerstone, and chiefest among ten thousand. He is to them as the Dew, the door into the fold, a diadem, a day-star, a deliverer, and the desire of all nations, ranks and generations of pious men.
In their eyes he is the Elect Emmanuel, the everlasting Father, and eternal life. He is a Fountain of living waters to thirsty souls, of joy to troubled ones, of life to dying ones. He is the foundation on which his people, with safety, build their hopes of heaven. He is the father of eternity, the first and the last, the first fruits, the first-born among many brothers, and the first begotten from the dead.
To his chosen he is as the most fine Gold, a guide, a governor, a glorious Lord, God, the true God over all, God blessed forever. He is Head of the church, the help, the hope, the husband, the heritage, the habitation of his people. He is the horn of their salvation and rides upon the heavens. He is the Jehovah of armies, the Inheritance, Judge and King of his people. He is their Light, their life, their leader, their law-giver, their atoning lamb, the lily of the valley, the lion of the tribe of Judah.
He is the Man Christ Jesus, the master, the mediator, the minister of the true sanctuary which the Lord pitched, and not man. He is the mighty God of Isaiah, the morning-star of John, the Michael of Daniel, the Melchizedek of David and Paul, and the Messiah of all the prophets. He is the Only-begotten of the Father – full of grace and truth. He is both the root and the off-spring of David. He is the Peace, the prince, the priest, the prophet, the purified, the potentate, the propitiation, the physician, the power of God, the passover of all saints.
He is the Rock, the refuge, the ruler, the ransom, the refiner, the redeemer, the righteousness and the resurrection of all humble souls. He is the rose of Sharon. He is the Seed of the woman, the seed of Abraham, the seed of David, the Son of God, the son of man, the strength, the shield, the surety, the shepherd, the Shiloh, the sacrifice, the sanctuary, the salvation, the sanctification, and the sun of righteousness of all believers.
He is that holy thing that was born of Mary. He is the Truth, the treasure, the teacher, the temple, and the tree of life. He is the Way, the well of salvation, the word of God, the wisdom of God, the faithful witness, the wonderful.
His person is one, but his natures are two. He is both human and divine, finite and infinite, created and uncreated. He was before Abraham, though not born until long after Abraham. He was dead, and is alive forevermore. He has the arm of a God, and the heart of a brother. None loves like him, none pities like him, none saves like him. It is no marvel the children love him, the saints praise him, the martyrs die for him, the sorrowing long for him, the humble trust in him, the penitent pour out their tears before him, and the believing lay fast hold of him. His frown shakes the heavens, his smile gives life, his presence converts dungeons into palaces, his blood cleanses from all sin, his righteousness is the white robe of the redeemed.
If you would be safe, or wise, or holy, or happy, or useful, or strong, or victorious, look to him! Look to no one else! Walk in him, abide in him, glory in him, and count as loss all things besides him. Look to that wonderful, glorious Jesus Christ!
