Tags
1 John 2:1, ascension, christology, Edward Taylor, Hebrews 1, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 4, Hebrews 4:14–16, Hebrews 9, Hebrews 9:11-14, Matthew 11:28-29, poem, Poetry, Puritan Poetry
The previous post in this series may be found here: https://memoirandremains.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/edward-taylor-raptures-of-love-4/
To heav’n went he, and in his bright throne sits
At God’s right hand pleading poor sinners’ cases.
With golden wedges he of promise, splits
The heav’ns ope, to shew to show what glory ‘braces.
And in its thickness thus with arms extended,
Calls, come, come here, and ever be befriended.
Line 1:
To heav’n went he: This refers to the Ascension of Christ:
9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11
Upon ascending to heaven, Christ sits upon the throne as king. This is recorded in Hebrews 1:
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Revelation 1:5 refers to the Ascended Christ as “the ruler of the kings of earth”.
Line 2:
At God’s right hand: see Hebrews 1:3, “he sat down at the right hand of majesty on high”.
pleading poor sinners’ cases. Christ has ascended to the right hand of majesty where he pleads for those who have sinned against God. “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 1:1. It must be noted that Jesus Christ is not pleading with an angry Father, for it was the Father who sent the Son to procure forgiveness.
We are encouraged to come to Christ for help in our time of need:
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
Christ’s pleading from this throne is based upon his work as sacrifice and priest:
11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation)
12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.
13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh,
14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9:11-14
Line 3:
With golden wedges he of promise, The “wedges” refer to a wedge placed into a block of wood, which is struck at one end and hit with a hammer on the flat end. The wedge pushes into the wood and splits it open.
Line 5:
Calls, come, come here, and ever be befriended
This petition is based upon the offer of Jesus recorded in Matthew 11:28-29:
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”