Isaiah 55:1-3

The Reader will not fail to remark, in the very opening of this precious chapter, what an uniformity runs through all gospel proclamations. They are general, they are great, full, free, and extensive. everyone individually, both Jew and Gentile, bond and free, shall be welcome to Christ, if Christ be welcome to them. Yea, the Lord will answer before they call. If they do but thirst for Jesus, it is a proof that he hath made them willing in the day of his power; Isaiah 65:24; Psalms 110:4; John 7:37. How sweet and gracious is this? The waters they are called unto, mean the word, the ordinances, and the several means of grace in the gospel: and the sacred viands, milk and wine, mean the body and blood of Christ. Jesus is all this, and infinitely more than all: For his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed; Song of Solomon 5:1; John 6:33. The method of purchase differs from all others in the world; it is without money, and without price! Sweet consideration, and blessed encouragement to the poor and needy, who have nothing to buy with, and nothing to offer. The reason is obvious: Christ, the pearl of great price, is not sold, but given: moreover, if he were saleable, who could purchase? See 1 Peter 1:18. When all these things are considered, how delightful is the counsel of Jesus, Revelation 3:17. I only detain the Reader with one observation more on this passage, just to remark, that as all these mercies in Christ are general, free, full, and extensive; so are they, in Christ Jesus, sure and everlasting; liable to no change, incapable of being lost or taken away; for they are the sure mercies of David; alluding to God's covenant engagements with our spiritual David, the Lord Jesus Christ: compare 2 Samuel 23:5, with Acts 13:34. After such gracious declarations as these, what weakness and folly must it be to seek redemption in anything short of Christ, or in anything but Christ! This, in the language of this scripture, like the man that spends his substance for chaff, and not bread; and his labour for that which cannot satisfy.