risen Christ? That love had led him down from heaven; it had led
been reminding us of (verse 34).
These facts were four; and in each of them we have a pledge of love— a proof that separation from that love was altogether impossible.
1. Christ died.—Who then shall separate us from the love of a dying Saviour? "Hereby perceive we the love of God, that he laid down his life for us;" as if the laying down of his life assured us, beyond mistake, of his love. For what interpretation, save that of love, can be put upon this dying for us? This is not a fact which can be misconstrued or misunderstood. You can say of some facts or deeds, they are ambiguous in their signification; but not so of this. It has but one meaning; for "greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Our perception of the meaning of that death first drew us to the Crucified One, and fastened the link between us and his love. That that link can never be broken, this death assures us; and should the shadow of a doubt ever flit over us, or the thought arise, "How do I know that I shall never be separated from the love of Christ?" "we have but to call to mind that "Jesus died," and that will re-assure us, making us feel that this bond knit between us and Christ's love, at his cross, must endure throughout the ages to come.
2. Christ rose again.—Who then shall separate us from the love of a risen Christ? That love had led him down from heaven; it had led him up to the cross; it had led him down to the tomb. But it did not end there. It brought him up from the tomb to which it had led him down. The chill of the grave had not quenched it. In love he rose and went forth to carry on his work of love. His resurrection proves the strength and unchanging tenacity of his love. This second bond, formed at the grave of Christ, between us and his love, is, like the former, everlasting. The love of a risen Christ is a love for eternity.
3. Christ went to the right hand of God.—Who then shall separate us from the love of an ascended and exalted Saviour? It was love that led him back to heaven from this earth where he had died the death