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A CAPTIVATING CONTEMPLATION

A. C. Craig

“His majesty” (2 Peter 1: 16)—that would be Solomonic, but

then, “More than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12: 42), and that

is Jedidiah (‘beloved of Jehovah’), 2 Samuel 12: 25.

Solomon means ‘peaceful’; Christ as the house-Builder and

the universal Ruler, securing all for God, delivers up the

kingdom, all in perfect order, both house and kingdom. But as

to Jedidiah, “Jehovah loved him. And he sent by the hand of

Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, for

Jehovah’s sake”, 2 Samuel 12: 25. This is more than majesty;

now we have love, Christ the Object of the Father’s love. “The

Father loves the Son, and has given all things to be in his

hand”, John 3: 35. “For the Father loves the Son and shows

him all things which he himself does”, John 5: 20. “On this

account the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I

may take it again”, John 10: 17.

When I think of Him laying aside His garments—garments of

majesty—pouring water, washing and wiping my soiled feet—

there at my feet is Jedidiah, the One whom the Father loves.

He lays aside His garments to reveal a greatness beyond the

realm of majesty, an intrinsic greatness, a dignity the act of

feet-washing cannot hide. My heart bows in adoration; He wins

me, He holds me. I go with Him to have part with Him, blessed

Object of the Father’s love.

When my interest wanes and I wander off to nights of fruitless

activity, there in the early morning I hear His voice of tender

appeal, “Have ye anything to eat?”, John 21: 5. When I see the

glowing fire, kindled by His love, the broiled fish

and hot bread, and those hands serving it round, just as He

did in washing the disciples’ feet, I see a grandeur beyond

what the queen of Sheba saw, and when she spoke of the