Christ the Topstone of Humanity – Charles Spurgeon

I SEE before me a stupendous pyramid; the base of it is exceeding broad: it is the inanimate creation. Stars unnumbered lie close together at its base, like the sands of the Lybian desert: ponderous masses of matter underlie the whole amazing structure, all radiant with the glory of God, with a light like a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. Measureless fields of space, and all but infinite leagues of matter, form the grosser basis of the pyramid which now rises before my astonished vision. Overlying this, as though it were a layer of malachite or emerald, veined with blue, and scarlet, and vermilion, I see the vegetable creation with all its beauty of form and splendor of color, cedar and hyssop, olive and lily, oak and bramble. No are of man, or polished jewels of the mine, can rival its magnificence. Over these, sparkling like the stone which was full of eyes, I see the animal kingdom with its mingled varieties of symmetry and strength, energy and vitality. Here on high the pyramid is narrower, but its light is far more excellent, for the likeness of the living creatures sparkles and flashes like burning coals of fire, with an energy unseen in the broader foundations which are placed beneath. Beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying bird, all magnify the Master-builder who has ordained for them their place in the pyramid of his manifested glory. Higher still, I see man, who is made to have dominion over all the lower works of God—man of whom it is written, “You have been in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, the sardius, the topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold.

Above these, I see men twice made, the regenerated men, the precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, the peculiar portion and crown-jewels of Jehovah: but can my eyes endure to gaze upon the glowing brightness which forms the apex of the glittering pyramid? I looked, and lo! above the firmament, higher than the Heaven of heavens, I saw the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone, and upon the throne there sat the Son of Man in all the brightness of his Father’s glory, encircled with a rainbow like unto an emerald, and hymned by innumerable spirits in strains like these: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created.” O my soul, are you not overwhelmed with the vision of Man upon the throne of God, Man most true and manlike, born of a virgin, the woman’s promised seed, and yet God over all blessed forever! When that pyramid was crowned with such a matchless topstone, well might the morning stars sing together, and all the sons of God shout for joy; well might there be from men and angels joyous shoutings of “Grace! grace! unto it.” The great Master of the feast has kept the best wine until now. Richest and rarest of the wines on the lees, well refined, is that which was set abroach on Calvary by the soldier’s spear. Rich was the store which the glorious monarch of the ages placed upon the table of his benevolence; but in these last days he brings out the choicest of his dainties, the bread of Heaven, the wine which makes glad the heart of God and man. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”