Reading: “The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls”—Exodus 30:15
Pause over this sweet scripture and mark the graciousness of our God and Father. Were all the souls of the redeemed charged equally alike in the account of God? Did Jesus purchase all his redeemed with an equal price, when he bought them with his blood? If, amidst the various inequalities of life, some poor and some rich, yet whatever difference was allowed, or even expected in other offerings, according to the abilities of God’s people; yet here, as a representation of the offering of the soul in Jesus’ purchase, no one distinction was to be made.
If this be so, it must follow, that you, a poor unworthy creature as you are, overlooked as you are by the great ones of the earth, cost as much to Jesus as the soul of Peter, or of Paul, or of any of the patriarchs, apostles, or prophets. Think of this; will this not tend to endear Jesus more to you, and bring home the Father’s love in the strongest affection?
Add one thought more to this precious relation. If your redemption cost as much as any one of the redeemed in glory, think, will He lose His property, will he forego what cost him so dear, and suffer one pearl of his mediatorial crown to be wanting? Is it not plain that the redemption by Jesus is in him, and him only; and “his righteousness is unto all, and upon all, that believe; for there is no difference”?
Taken from The Poor Man’s Evening and Morning Portions by Rev. Robert Hawker, Works, Vol. 8; 1830. Edited by Aaron Dunlop for thinkgospel.com ©2013.
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