What He Left Us…

“How some would rejoice if they could possess a relic of anything that belonged to our Savior in the days of his flesh, even though it is of no use or benefit to them! Indeed, how many Christians boast in some pretended parcels of the tree on which he suffered. Love abused by superstition lies at the bottom of this vanity; for such people would embrace anything left them by their dying Savior. But he left them no such things; nor did he ever bless and sanctify them to any holy or sacred ends; and therefore the abuse of these things has been punished with blindness and idolatry. But this gift of the Spirit is openly testified to in the gospel. When Christ’s heart was overflowing with love to his disciples and care for them, he took a holy prospect of what their condition, work, duty, and temptations in the world would be - and on that prospect, he made provision for all they could stand in need of. He promises to give and leave with them his Holy Spirit to abide with them forever, directing us to look to the Spirit for all our comforts and supplies. Therefore our regard for the love, care and wisdom of our blessed Savior, is to be measured according to our valuation and esteem of the Spirit, according to our satisfaction and acquiescence in him.” John Owen