III. The text teaches us that the river, turned into blood, is the Type of Christ.
Jehovah, or Jesus, in Egypt, turned the water into blood; Jehovah, or Jesus, in Canaan, in the country of Galilee, turned the water into wine. “The blood of Christ cleanseth us from all sin.” The wine of the Communion Table is the symbol of His blood. In these last days God has spoken to us in the person of His Son. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. He came into our own flesh and blood and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. “Our life is hid with Christ, in God.” These are most wonderful words!
But let us remember that the rivers of blood in Egypt did not change the heart of Pharaoh, neither did they change the hearts of the Egyptians. The blood of Christ has been shed but it is of no avail to them that will not accept its saving power. Christ died for all but are all saved? How many are saved? Are you saved? If so, why? Oh, my friends, it is the blood of Christ that availeth all things with God.
“What can save my soul from sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
“Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. He is the wonderful Counselor, the mighty God, the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Father.” Just as Pharaoh and his hosts were strewn in death upon the sands of the sea, so Satan and his hosts will be strewn upon the land of time. Christ is our mighty Captain. He has led His battle strong, through the ages of the past and on through the ages of time to come. He will lead to victory. His blood is all-availing with God and God is the ruler of the universe. It is for Christ’s sake that God hears and answers our prayers. It is for Christ’s sake that He saves our souls. It is for Christ’s sake that He will make us kings and priests to rule and reign with Him forever. It is for Christ’s sake that He has prepared for us the Canaan that lies beyond the Jordan of Death and it is for Christ’s sake that He is with us today. And after while we will sing, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou (Christ) art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.”
“Thus said the Lord, in this thou shalt know that I am the Lord: Behold I will smite with the rod in mine hand upon the waters of the river and they shall be turned into blood.” God grant to bless every soul here to-day with the blessed words of this text.
The Intercession of Christ.
“He ever liveth to make intercession for them.”—Hebrews 8:25.
Christ had completed His work on the earth. He had kept the faith, fulfilled the law, and suffered its penalty in His death. His work, therefore, so far as the earthly conditions and needs were concerned, was completed. He did this work, it must be remembered, not on his own account or for himself, but on your account and for you. He was acting in the capacity of a representative while on the earth, so that when his life in the flesh had been finished, it might become your life and my life, through faith. We are told by the apostle that after this, i. e., “He had finished His work here, He was believed on in the world, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, received into glory where He ever liveth to make intercession for us.” We notice that this passage teaches us, that