The Light of the Lamb and the Overflow of Grace
— Revelation 21:23
Quietly contemplate the Lamb as the light of heaven. Light in Scripture is the emblem of joy. The joy of the saints in heaven is comprised in this: Jesus chose us, loved us, bought us, cleansed us, robed us, kept us, glorified us: we are here entirely through the Lord Jesus. Each one of these thoughts shall be to them like a cluster of the grapes of Eshcol.
Light is also the cause of beauty. Nought of beauty is left when light is gone. Without light no radiance flashes from the sapphire, no peaceful ray proceedeth from the pearl; and thus all the beauty of the saints above comes from Jesus. As planets, they reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness; they live as beams proceeding from the central orb. If he withdrew, they must die; if his glory were veiled, their glory must expire.
Light is also the emblem of knowledge. In heaven our knowledge will be perfect, but the Lord Jesus himself will be the fountain of it. Dark providences, never understood before, will then be clearly seen, and all that puzzles us now will become plain to us in the light of the Lamb. Oh! what unfoldings there will be and what glorifying of the God of love!
Light also means manifestation. Light manifests. In this world it doth not yet appear what we shall be. God’s people are a hidden people, but when Christ receives his people into heaven, he will touch them with the wand of his own love, and change them into the image of his manifested glory. They were poor and wretched, but what a transformation! They were stained with sin, but one touch of his finger, and they are bright as the sun, and clear as crystal.
Oh! what a manifestation! All this proceeds from the exalted Lamb. Whatever there may be of effulgent splendour, Jesus shall be the centre and soul of it all. Oh! to be present and to see him in his own light, the King of kings, and Lord of lords!
— Luke 8:42
Jesus is passing through the throng to the house of Jairus, to raise the ruler’s dead daughter; but he is so profuse in goodness that he works another miracle while upon the road. While yet this rod of Aaron bears the blossom of an unaccomplished wonder, it yields the ripe almonds of a perfect work of mercy.
It is enough for us, if we have some one purpose, straightway to go and accomplish it; it were imprudent to expend our energies by the way. Hastening to the rescue of a drowning friend, we cannot afford to exhaust our strength upon another in like danger. It is enough for a tree to yield one sort of fruit, and for a man to fulfil his own peculiar calling.
But our Master knows no limit of power or boundary of mission. He is so prolific of grace, that like the sun which shines as it rolls onward in its orbit, his path is radiant with lovingkindness. He is a swift arrow of love, which not only reaches its ordained target, but perfumes the air through which it flies.
Virtue is evermore going out of Jesus, as sweet odours exhale from flowers; and it always will be emanating from him, as water from a sparkling fountain. What delightful encouragement this truth affords us! If our Lord is so ready to heal the sick and bless the needy, then, my soul, be not thou slow to put thyself in his way, that he may smile on thee.
Be not slack in asking, if he be so abundant in bestowing. Give earnest heed to his word now, and at all times, that Jesus may speak through it to thy heart. Where he is to be found there make thy resort, that thou mayst obtain his blessing. When he is present to heal, may he not heal thee? But surely he is present even now, for he always comes to hearts which need him. And dost not thou need him? Ah, he knows how much! Thou Son of David, turn thine eye and look upon the distress which is now before thee, and make thy suppliant whole.
The morning devotion lifts our gaze to the celestial light of Christ, the very joy and radiance of heaven. The evening meditation brings us back to His compassionate condescension—walking among us, dispensing grace not only with intent but with overflow. Together, they frame a Christ who is both glorified and present, both transcendent and near. From eternity to daily mercy, He is the source and substance of light and life.
What makes these two meditations beautifully Reformed is the focus on Christ’s sufficiency. We contribute nothing to the light of heaven, nor to the overflow of grace on earth—it is all of Him. As the elect of God, we are not only chosen but kept and glorified by the Lamb. And that same Lamb walks with us “as He goes,” extending unmerited kindness. He is not exhausted by our needs. Behold the all-sufficient Savior, who both reigns and walks.
Let us live in humble dependence on the Light of the Lamb, knowing that our beauty, understanding, and transformation flow from Him. And as we walk through this world, let us look for His grace “as He goes”—in the small mercies along the way. Rest not in your faith, but in His faithfulness. And remember: He is the radiant center of both glory and grace.
Lord Jesus, Light of heaven and Healer on earth, grant us eyes to see Your glory and hearts to feel Your presence. May we walk in the joy that flows from Your light, and may we rest in the grace that overflows from Your steps. Help us trust You when we do not understand, and glorify You in all our being. In Your name, Amen.
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