March 26
Morning
"Jesus said unto them, If ye seek me, let these go their
way." — Joh_18:8
Mark, my soul, the care which Jesus manifested even in his hour of
trial, towards the sheep of his hand! The ruling passion is strong in death. He
resigns himself to the enemy, but he interposes a word of power to set his
disciples free. As to himself, like a sheep before her shearers he is dumb and
opened not his mouth, but for his disciples' sake he speaks with almighty
energy. Herein is love, constant, self-forgetting, faithful love. But is there
not far more here than is to be found upon the surface? Have we not the very
soul and spirit of the atonement in these words? The Good Shepherd lays down
his life for the sheep, and pleads that they must therefore go free. The Surety
is bound, and justice demands that those for whom he stands a substitute should
go their way. In the midst of Egypt's bondage, that voice rings as a word of
power, "Let these go their way." Out of slavery of sin and Satan the
redeemed must come. In every cell of the dungeons of Despair, the sound is
echoed, "Let these go their way," and forth come Despondency and
Much-afraid. Satan hears the well-known voice, and lifts his foot from the neck
of the fallen; and Death hears it, and the grave opens her gates to let the
dead arise. Their way is one of progress, holiness, triumph, glory, and none
shall dare to stay them in it. No lion shall be on their way, neither shall any
ravenous beast go up thereon. "The hind of the morning" has drawn the
cruel hunters upon himself, and now the most timid roes and hinds of the field
may graze at perfect peace among the lilies of his loves. The thunder-cloud has
burst over the Cross of Calvary, and the pilgrims of Zion shall never be
smitten by the bolts of vengeance. Come, my heart, rejoice in the immunity
which thy Redeemer has secured thee, and bless his name all the day, and every
day.
John 18:8
if: Isa_53:6;
Eph_5:25
let: Joh_10:28,
Joh_13:1, Joh_13:36,
Joh_16:32; Mat_26:56; Mar_14:50-52;
1Co_10:13; 2Co_12:9; 1Pe_5:7
Evening
"When he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy
angels." — Mar_8:38
If we have been partakers with Jesus in his shame, we shall be sharers
with him in the lustre which shall surround him when he appears again in glory.
Art thou, beloved one, with Christ Jesus? Does a vital union knit thee to him?
Then thou art to-day with him in his shame; thou hast taken up his cross, and
gone with him without the camp bearing his reproach; thou shalt doubtless be
with him when the cross is exchanged for the crown. But judge thyself this
evening; for if thou art not with him in the regeneration, neither shalt thou
be with him when he shall come in his glory. If thou start back from the black
side of communion, thou shalt not understand its bright, its happy period, when
the King shall come, and all his holy angels with him. What! are angels with
him? And yet he took not up angels-he took up the seed of Abraham. Are the holy
angels with him? Come, my soul, if thou art indeed his own beloved, thou canst
not be far from him. If his friends and his neighbours are called together to
see his glory, what thinkest thou if thou art married to him? Shalt thou be
distant? Though it be a day of judgment, yet thou canst not be far from that
heart which, having admitted angels into intimacy, has admitted thee into
union. Has he not said to thee, O my soul, "I will betroth thee unto me in
righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness?" Have not his own
lips said it, "I am married unto thee, and my delight is in thee?" If
the angels, who are but friends and neighbours, shall be with him, it is
abundantly certain that his own beloved Hephzibah, in whom is all his delight,
shall be near to him, and sit at his right hand. Here is a morning star of hope
for thee, of such exceeding brilliance, that it may well light up the darkest
and most desolate experience.
Mark 8:38
ashamed: Mat_10:32-33;
Luk_19:26, Luk_12:8-9; Act_5:41;
Rom_1:16; Gal_6:14;
2Ti_1:8, 2Ti_1:12,
2Ti_1:16, 2Ti_2:12-13;
Heb_11:26, Heb_12:2-3, Heb_13:13;
1Jn_2:23
adulterous: Mat_12:39,
Mat_16:4; Jas_4:4
the Son: Mar_14:62;
Dan_7:13; Mat_16:27,
Mat_24:30, Mat_25:31, Mat_26:64;
Joh_1:14, Joh_5:27,
Joh_12:34
when: Deu_33:2;
Dan_7:10; Zec_14:5;
Mat_13:41; Joh_1:51; 1Th_1:7-8;
Jud_1:14-15
Daily Devotions.
Extract from
e-Sword- the sword of the LORD with an
electronic edge.
Through the Bible Day by Day.(F.B Meyer)
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