Morning, May 14, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Fellow heirs with Christ.” — Romans 8:17

The boundless realms of his Father’s universe are Christ’s by longstanding right. As “heir of all things,” he is the sole proprietor of the vast creation of God, and he has welcomed us to claim the whole as ours, by virtue of that deed of joint-heirship which the Lord has ratified with his chosen people. The golden streets of paradise, the pearly gates, the river of life, the transcendent ecstasy, and the indescribable glory, are, by our blessed Lord, given over to us for our everlasting possession. All that he has he shares with his people. The royal crown 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 honor. Behold here the reward of every Christian conqueror! Christ’s throne, crown, scepter, palace, treasure, robes, and heritage are yours. Far superior to the jealousy, selfishness, and greed, which allow no participation of their advantages, Christ deems his happiness completed by his people sharing it. “I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one.” “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” The smiles of his Father are all the more precious to him, because his people share them. The honors of his kingdom are more pleasing, because his people appear with him in glory. His conquests are more valuable to him, since they have taught his people to overcome. He delights in his throne, because there is a place for them on it. He rejoices in his royal robes, since they spread over his people. He delights even more in his joy, because he calls them to enter into it.