03.02. February
FEBRUARY February 1. Homage
"When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea ... Magi (wise men) from the east came to Jerusalem, and asked — Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." Mat 2:1-2 That was the most wonderful birth that ever occurred in this world! It is not strange that there were so many remarkable events accompanying it, that angels came down to announce it and to sing their song of rejoicing, and that wise men came from afar to pay their homage. It was the incarnate Son of God — who slept His first sleep in the manger of Bethlehem! This is so great a mystery — that we cannot understand it. Yet we know that the same One who then became flesh . . .
had been from all eternity with God,
that He was God,
that He made all things,
that in Him was the fountain of all life and blessedness! That a child should be born was not a strange thing; a child is born in this world with every heart-beat. That a child should be born in a stable was not a remarkable occurrence in that country. But when we remember who it was that was made flesh that night — we find ourselves in the presence of the most stupendous wonder of all ages!
We should certainly come with the shepherds and the Magi to pay our homage at the cradle of this same glorious child-King! The Magi came hundreds of miles to find Christ. The journey was difficult and perilous, and very costly. Just so, we ought to count no toil or sacrifice too great to find Christ. We ought to be ready to go thousands of miles, if need be, to find Him! He is the pearl of great price, and we shall be well repaid for our quest, though it cost us the loss and sacrifice of all things, and though we even have to lay down our lives to gain Him!
We notice also, that it is not always those who are nearest to Christ — who first see His glory. He was born right among the Jews — but nobody went out from Jerusalem to worship Him. Shall it be so with us? Shall we miss the blessing of seeing the Savior who is so near?
February 2. The King of Kings
"Where is the one who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." Mat 2:2
Surely it was strange, that the Jews did not know of the birth of their own King. Usually when kings are born, the whole realm rings with joy. But when the Messiah was born, there was no rejoicing on earth. A few humble shepherds came to look with wonder on the newborn babe which lay in the young mother’s arms — but that was all. The Jews had been looking for their Messiah — but did not recognize Him when He came! For one thing, we learn how quiet His advent was. There was no blare of trumpets. Noise and show are not necessary accompaniments of power. The mightiest forces in this world, are ofttimes the quietest. The grace of God always comes quietly. Angels minister noiselessly and unseen. The most useful Christians, are not those who make the most ado in their work — but those who, in humility, unconscious of any splendor shining in their faces — go daily about their work for Christ. "Be careful not to do your ’acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets — to be honored by men. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6.
Another thought here, is that we do not always know when Christ comes to us. "He was in the world, and the world was made by Him — and the world did not know Him."
Yet why should we complain so of the Jews? Are we any better? Our King is in our midst — do we recognize Him? Do we worship and honor Him? These wise men had only a dim star to guide them; yet they followed it with loving trust and unfaltering step — and it led them to the feet of the "King of glory!"
It shows us that even the faintest glimmerings of light should be welcomed, and their guidance accepted. We should not wait to know all about Christ, and see Him in all His glory — before we set out to seek Him. We should follow the first faint gleams, and as we go on — the light will brighten, until we see Him in all His blessed beauty, "face to face!"
February 3. Offering Gifts
"On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." Mat 2:11
Those who follow the light — will surely be led at last to the Christ. There is always joy, too, in the heart when one has found the Savior. The first act is to adore and worship Him. These men saw only the little babe lying in the young mother’s arms. There was no crown on His head. No glory gleamed from His face. His surroundings were most unkingly, without pomp or pageant. The child did nothing in their presence to show His royalty, spoke no word, wrought no kingly act of power. Yet the Magi believed and "worshiped him."
Think how much more we know about the Christ, than they did. We see Him in all the glory of His life and death and resurrection and ascension; we see Him "standing on the right hand of God," "King of kings," wearing many crowns. It is not hard for us to see the regal marks in Him. Shall we be behind the Magi, in our adoration?
They were not content merely to worship the King, showing Him homage in word and posture; but they also laid their gifts at His feet. It is not enough for us to sing our songs of praise to Christ, to look up adoringly into His face, to bow before Him in reverent worship, and to speak our heart’s homage in words. We should bring our gifts, too, to lay at His feet.
There is a great deal of mere sentiment in the consecration of many people. When there is call for gifts of sacrifice, or for real service — their sentiment instantly vanishes! People sing missionary hymns with great warmth, and when the collection-box comes to them — they have no gifts to offer! These men not only brought presents — but they brought those that were costly. We should bring our best, our "gold and frankincense and myrrh," — the alabaster box of our heart’s deepest love, and the best of all, our life and service!
February 4. When Earth’s Wine Runs Out!
"When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him: They have no more wine." John 2:3 This incident is a very fitting illustration of the failure of all this world’s joys. The wine ran out at a wedding-feast. There was not enough of it to last through to the end of the feast.
It is just so with all earth’s pleasures. It comes in cups — not in fountains; and the supply is limited — and soon exhausted.
It is so especially with sin’s pleasures. The prodigal soon ran out of money, and began to be in need. A poet compared the pleasures of sin to a snowflake on the river, "a moment white — then gone forever!" But it is true in a sense also — of pure earthly pleasures. Even the sweetness of human love is but a cupful, which will not last forever. The joy which so fills us today — tomorrow is changed to sorrow. Amid the gladness of the marriage altar — there is the knell of the end, in the words "until death do us part." One of every two friends must hold the other’s hand in farewell at the edge of the valley of the shadow of death — and must stand by the other’s grave, and walk alone for part of the way. The best wine of earthly life and of love — will fail. If there were nothing better in this world — how sad it would be! But it is here that we see the glory of Christ’s gospel. When earth’s wine fails — Jesus comes, and gives Heaven’s wine to supply the lack. How beautiful and how true is the picture here: the failing wine — and then Jesus coming with power and supplying the need! That is what He is doing continually. He takes lives which have drained their last drop of earthly gladness — and He satisfies them with spiritual good and blessing, so that they need nothing more. When human joy fails — Jesus gives new joy, better than the world’s, and in unfailing abundance! How sad it is for those who have not taken Christ into their lives, and who have nothing but the empty cup — when earth’s wine runs out!
February 5. Heavenly Guidance
"An angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying: Get up! Take the child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you." Mat 2:13
All our movements should be under the direction of God. In very olden times, God guided his people by a pillar of fire and cloud, which lifted and moved when they were to move, showing them the way, and which rested and settled down when they were to halt. In these days of so much fuller revelation, there is no need for any such visible token of guidance, yet the guidance is no less real and no less unmistakable.
It was an angel that brought the command to Joseph, to flee into Egypt. Angels do not now appear to our eyes; but who will say that they do not whisper in our ears many a suggestion which we suppose to come from our own hearts? At least we know that in some way God will always tell us what to do; and if only we have ears to hear — we shall never fail of guidance. We should always wait for God’s bidding — before taking any step. Especially in times of danger, when we are moving under His guidance, should we wait and not move until He brings us word.
It ought to give us great comfort and a wonderful sense of safety — to know that God is caring for us so faithfully. Some people laugh at the simple faith of child-like Christians, and say that it is all imagination, that there is no one in Heaven taking care of us. But we need not be worried by such skeptical ones. There is a God in Heaven — and He is our Father! He never sleeps. He has charge of all the affairs of this universe, and is always "at the helm." This should give us all confidence. Our whole duty — is to be always ready to obey. Whenever the voice comes bidding us arise and depart, there is some reason for it, and we should not hesitate to obey. Wherever we are sent — we should quietly stay until again God sends to call us away. The place of duty — is always the place of safety; and we should never move — until God brings us word.
February 6. The Nazareth Home "He came and dwelt in a town called Nazareth." Mat 2:23 In that little village, until ready for His public ministry, Jesus made His home. It is a sweet thought that the Son of God dwelt for so many years in a home on earth. His pure and sinless life opened out there — as a bud opens into a lovely rose, pouring fragrance over all the lowly place. The study of the childhood and the youth of Jesus, even from the few fragmentary glimpses of those years given us in the gospel, ought to prove an inspiration to every child and young person. No doubt, we wish that we could know more of that sweet and blessed home-life; but the little we are told about it is enough — or God’s Spirit would have given us more of the story.
We know there was no sin in Jesus — and we can think of His gentleness, His obedience, His love, His unselfishness, and of all His other graces and beauties of character. He was a natural child, glad, joyous, interested in beautiful things, studious, earnest without being precocious or morbidly religious. He was such a boy as God loves, and as He would have every other boy strive to be.
We have one glimpse of Him at twelve, when He began to think of His relation to the heavenly Father; yet we must note the fact that He went back to Nazareth and resumed His place of filial duty, staying there for eighteen years longer. The Father’s business on which He entered at twelve was not preaching and working miracles and going about doing good in a public manner — but for the time remaining at home, a dutiful child, a glad, helpful youth and an industrious, growing man.
Some young men chafe under the providence that keeps them so many years in a quiet, obscure home — where they can do only plain, common duty. But if Jesus found His Nazareth home a wide enough sphere for His blessed life, surely we should not think any home too narrow for our little lives to grow in.
February 7. The Mother of Christ
"And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him." Luk 2:40
One of the chief influences in molding Christ’s life, was His mother. When God wants to prepare a man for a great mission, He first prepares a noble mother, and puts the child into her bosom to be trained. The Jews had a saying, "God could not be everywhere — and therefore he made mothers." Nearly all the truly great men of the world have received the inspiration and stamp of their lives from their mothers. When Moses was to be trained for his work, the Lord put the little babe back in the hands of its mother as his first teacher. There is no doubt that in preparing Mary to be the mother of the Savior — the rarest and loveliest graces of womanhood were wrought by God into her nature. She was not sinless — but we may believe that no more perfect woman ever lived.
Such a mother would exert a wonderful influence over the child Jesus. She was His first teacher. Her love wrapped Him around in its warm folds in His earliest infancy, and through all His youth and young manhood. Her sweet life was the atmosphere that hung over His tenderest years. Her prayers kept Heaven lying ever close about Him. Her hands guided His feet and shaped His character. What a blessed mission is that of a mother, any mother! What woman in whose arms God has laid an immortal life, will despise her glorious calling? What woman so honored will not die, rather than prove unfaithful to her holy trust?
February 8. Rock of Salvation "Jesus Christ, the Son of God." Mark 1:1
Mark does not intend that there shall be room for mistake concerning the person of our Lord. Each of the names he here uses, represents one particular phase of Christ’s character.
Jesus means Savior. "You shall call his name Jesus — for he shall save his people from their sins." None of his names can be sweeter than this. It is enshrined in every Christian heart. This is the name that brings hope into our souls. The first thing we all need — is to be saved, and he is the only Savior.
Christ means the Anointed One. He is the one whom the Father has anointed to be prophet, priest, and king. He is our prophet, our teacher; he is our priest interceding for us, having already made himself an offering for our sins; he is our king, and we ought to obey him.
Son of God tells of his divine nature and his eternal sonship. This is the name that gives security to all our hopes and trusts. If he were only a man, he might be very tender, loving, and kind — but could he do for us everything we need? Could a man make atonement for our sins? Could a man put his own life into our dead souls? Could a man fight our battles for us, and rescue us out of the hands of Satan? Could a man be with us in all the ways of toil, sorrow, need, and struggle? Could a man save us in death and bear us through the dark mystery to glory? Could a man stand for us in the judgment? The divinity of Christ is the rock of our hope and our salvation. Our Savior and anointed King is the Son of God. We can lean upon his bosom — and know that we are enfolded with divinity, that our refuge is the eternal God, and that the arms which are clasped about us are everlasting! In all danger we may rest secure, for the power that would pluck us out of our resting place — must be mightier than God’s!
February 9. Repentance "Repent!" Mat 3:2 This was John the Baptist’s gospel. At first it seems very unlike the story of love which Jesus preached — and yet it is part of the same story. Repentance must always come before forgiveness and peace. Perhaps we need to be reminded of this in these days. We are in danger of making salvation too easy a matter, and of being altogether too tolerant with ourselves. We forget, some of us, that sin is such a terrible thing, and we are too careless about getting rid of our sins. We misunderstand God’s forgiveness, if we think of it merely as an easy admitting that we have done the wrong thing. Jesus did not come to save us merely front sin’s penalties; he came to save us from the sins themselves, by leading us to forsake them forever. Unless we repent of our sins — we never can have forgiveness.
We must make sure, too, that we do thorough work in our repenting. Repentance is not merely a little twinge of remorse over some wrong thing. It is not simply a gush of tears at the recollection of some wickedness. It is not mere shame at being found out in some wickedness or impurity or dishonesty. It is the revolution of the whole life. Sins wept over — must be forsaken. Repentance is a change of heart — a turning of the face just the other way. It is well for us to make diligent quest to be sure that we always abandon the wrongdoing which we deplore, that we leave the evil course which we regret, that we turn away from the sin which we confess. A good many people get only half the gospel. They talk a great deal about believing — but very little about repenting. It needs to be remembered that a faith which does not lead to genuine repentance — is not a faith that saves. He who bewails a sin and confesses it, secretly intending to return to it again — has no good ground to hope that he is forgiven!
February 10. The Coming of the Lord "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him." Mat 3:3 The Lord is always coming to us, or is always ready to come to us — if the way is open for him. Yet no doubt we are continually losing heavenly visitations, because the road is blocked up. If we would receive the visitations, we must keep the way always open. Sins clung to, unconfessed, unrepented of, unforsaken — block up the path, and Christ cannot come to us until we get them out of the way.
Then there is another sense in which we need to prepare the way of the Lord. He may come any moment in death to call us away from all our busy work. Is there no preparation needed now in our hearts, for this coming of the Lord? Are we ready for him any moment? Are our lamps trimmed and burning? Are our loins girded, and have we our shoes on our feet, and our staff in our hands? If he came this hour — how would he find us? Peter gives us good counsel when, speaking of Christ’s coming again, he says, "Be diligent, that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." Would he find us thus — if he came today? Are we at peace in peace with God, at peace with ourselves, at peace with all the world? Would he find us without spot? Have we kept our hands clean and our hearts pure, and ourselves unspotted from the world? Would he find us living blameless lives, so sincere, so true, so without blemish — that the world can find no cause of reproach in us, and that he himself will approve us?
It will be well for us to think of these things, and if the way for his coming is not prepared — to hasten to have it ready, for he may come at any moment! The Jews were taught to prepare a way for the coming of the Lord, by repenting of their sins and turning their hearts to God. That is just what every one must do, who desires Christ to come to him with blessing — every sin must be swept out.
February 11. The Wrath to Come
"John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him — You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?" Luk 3:7
There are a good many people who want to flee from God’s wrath — but are not willing to give up that which draws God’s wrath down upon them. When a godless man becomes sick, and it seems as though he may die, immediately he begins to look about for some way of flight from the wrath which he feels hangs over him. He sends for a minister or for some Christian man. He has his long neglected Bible brought from his parlor table and laid beside his bed. He will find refuge from his peril, if he can. He wants to have the Bible read to him; perhaps there is some virtue in that which will shield him. He wants the minister to pray for him; for he has heard that a good man’s prayers will save a soul. He wants to be baptized and to receive the Lord’s Supper; he hopes that these holy ordinances may somehow shelter him from the wrath.
Yet all the while, he has not really thought of trying to unload the burden of sin which is crushing him. He is carrying his sins, unconfessed and unforgiven. He has no true sense of sinfulness, no realization of God’s holiness, or of his own debt to him; he is simply terrified, and is trying to flee from the impending wrath.
If he gets well again, he will most likely return to his old life and live on in sin as before, proving the insincerity and worthlessness of his repentance. If he were asked, "Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" his answer could not be "Love for Christ," or "A sense of my guilt" — but "Fear of the terrors of death and Hell!"
It was a very proper question, therefore, which John asked the multitudes who came to him desiring to be baptized. The only flight that saves — is away from sin, and to Christ. No man is saved who carries his sins with him in his flight. The door of the refuge is wide enough to admit the worst penitent sinner — but not wide enough to admit any cherished sin.
February 12. Evidence of Repentance "Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance." Mat 3:8
There is only one way to prove that we have truly repented. It will not be enough to tell people that we have repented; they will wait to see the evidence in our lives. Suppose a wicked man joins the Church and then goes back on Monday morning to his old wicked ways — will anybody credit his Sunday’s profession? He must go on Monday morning to a new life — if his repentance is to pass for anything. Everybody knows what is right in such a case. None are quicker to cry out against the insincerity and unreality of the man’s profession, than wicked men themselves, when they see him continue in his old evil ways. Even bad men know what it is to be godly; thus they pay high compliment to Christianity. Repentance amounts to nothing whatever, if it produces only a few tears, a spasm of regret, a little fright as a flash from eternity reveals to a man his guilt and danger — and then a return tomorrow to the same old wicked ways!
What are fruit consistent with repentance? A grocer went home from the meeting one night where he had heard a sermon about false weights and measures, and burned the "bushel" he had been using to cheat his customers. A father who had been living carelessly in his home, when awakened to the truth — took down the old family Bible and confessed to his household his neglect, and reestablished the family altar. These are illustrations of fruit consistent with repentance. In short, we must leave the sins we repent of, and must visit them no more; and we must walk in the new clean ways of holiness. The heart is the important matter in all spiritual life — but the heart makes the life; and if the life remains evil — then the heart can be no better, whatever external profession of betterment it may have made. The way to prove to men that we have really repented — is really to repent, and the fact will soon speak for itself.
February 13. The Divine Patience
"The ax already lies at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire!" Mat 3:10 The picture is very suggestive. The axe at the tree’s root, or raised in the woodman’s hand to strike, shows that judgment impends, hangs ready to fall. Any moment the tree may be cut down. The axe lying at the tree’s root unused, tells of patience in the gardener; he is waiting to see if the fruitless tree will yet bear fruit. The axe leaning quietly against the tree is very suggestive. The meaning is very plain. God waits long for impenitent sinners to return to Him; He is slow to punish or to cut off the day of opportunity; He desires all to repent and be saved. Yet we must not trifle with Divine patience and forbearance. We must remember that while the axe is not lifted to strike, still there is not a moment when it is not lying close, ready to be used; when the summons may not come, "Hasten to judgment!" The axe of death really lies all the while at the root of every life. There is not a moment when it is not true — that there is but a step between us and death. The lying of the axe at the root, suggests that its use is not pruning — but cutting down. God has two axes. One He uses in pruning His trees, removing the fruitless branches, and cleansing the fruitful branches that they may bring forth more fruit. The work of this axe is not judgment or destruction — but mercy and blessing. It is the good, the fruitful tree — that feels its keen edge.
Then God has another axe which He uses only in judgment, in cutting down those trees which after all His culture of them — bring forth no fruit.
Life is all very critical. There is not a moment in any day on which may not turn all the destinies of eternity. It certainly is an infinitely perilous thing, for an immortal soul to rest an hour — with the axe of judgment waiting to strike the blow that will end forever the day of mercy! Only the supremest folly can be blind to duty in such a case!
February 14. Our Every-Day Life The people asked, "What should we do?"
John replied, "If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry."
Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, "Teacher, what should we do?"
"Show your honesty," he replied. "Make sure you collect no more taxes than the Roman government requires you to."
"What should we do?" asked some soldiers.
John replied, "Don’t extort money, and don’t accuse people of things you know they didn’t do. And be content with your pay." Luk 3:10-14 In John’s several answers to the different inquiries made of him, we see that religion is not something entirely apart from our every-day life. He did not tell these men to fast for a week, or to leave their business and retire to a monastery, or to enter upon a long course of devotions. Nothing of the kind! They were to begin at once to live according to God’s commandments in their own particular calling, to do their every-day work religiously. The "people" were to begin to practice the law of love, thus giving up their greed and selfishness. The "tax collectors" were to cease to practice extortion, and begin to deal honestly and justly with all men. The "soldiers" were to refrain from all acts of violence. He did not tell them to give up their calling — but to do their duty as good and true men in their calling, to carry the principles of true religion into all their actions.
It is well for us to catch this lesson. A good many people think that being a Christian is to pray a few moments morning and evening, to read a daily chapter or two in the Bible, and to attend church on Sundays. These duties are important as means of grace — but they are not true religion. Genuine religion is living out the principles of Christianity in one’s ordinary week-day life. It is getting the Bible and the prayers and the services — into thought and act and character.
We must not cut our lives in two, and call one part secular, governing it by one set of principles; and regarding the other part as sacred, to be controlled by another set of rules. All of life is to be made religious, in the sense that everything is to be done in such a way as to please God, under the direction of His counsel. We have just as much true religion — as we get into our week-day life, and not a whit more! Whatever we do, even to eating and drinking — we should do in the name of the Lord Jesus.
February 15. Self-Renunciation
"John answered them all: I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire!" Luk 3:16
There is something very fine in John’s behavior on this occasion. The people were expecting Christ, and when John rose up in such brightness they were ready to accept him as the Messiah. So intense was the excitement, so wild was the enthusiasm, that almost the whole nation flocked to the Jordan to see and hear John. One word from him claiming to be the Messiah, would have kindled a feeling among the people which would have crowned him as king. But the picture which we see is this great man pushing away the honors which lay within his grasp, and saying, "Nay, they are not mine to wear; put them on the head of Him who is coming after me."
Many of us are ready to accept honors for ourselves when we are doing Christ’s work. We like to have people praise us and commend us. Sometimes we are in danger of striving to get honor for ourselves, rather than to put honor upon Christ! How much more beautiful was John’s self-renunciation! It is pleasant when we have helped people, to have them come to us with their grateful tributes, to have them show their love to us and put honor upon us. Let us beware, however, lest we take that which belongs to Christ, and also lest our friends see only us and see not Christ. Let us keep ourselves out of the way, that they may behold Him alone.
Let us remember always that there is One coming after us, yes, standing unseen beside us, while we do our work, who is far mightier than we, and that we should strive only and always to put the honor upon Him, utterly forgetting ourselves. He will look after us and honor us, if we will only seek His honor and never our own. But if we rob Him here of the praise that is His, to wreathe chaplets for our own brow — we shall find ourselves stripped of honor and crown in the day of Christ’s manifestation!
February 16. Baptism
"I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire!" Luk 3:16
Baptism with water is right. It is one of God’s appointments, and He would require nothing that is useless. Some people think that there is no necessity for being baptized; but they make themselves wiser than Christ in saying this of that which He commanded to be done. Baptism has a meaning, and must never be despised. It teaches by picture, showing us, first, that we are unclean and need washing, and then depicting the deep work of grace by which the heart is cleansed.
We should not lightly esteem a rite which has such solemn divine sanction. But while baptism with water is proper and should not be omitted — it cannot wash away sin nor save our souls. We must not think that because we have been baptized, that we are necessarily Christians. There must be a change within us. We must be converted, "born again." And no amount of washing with water will produce this change. Christ must baptize us with the Holy Spirit.
There is danger that many are satisfied with the baptismal water, and do not look for the regenerating grace. It is the peril of all forms of service, that people trust in them and do not realize their need of Christ. A few drops of water on the brow — make no impression on the life; and it is only when the baptism symbolized by water is received by faith — that real blessing comes upon the one who is baptized. When Jesus was being baptized, "and as he was praying, Heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him." Like blessing descends from Heaven upon everyone receiving the symbol — who also by prayer seeks the heavenly baptism. The same is true of the Lord’s Supper and other divine ordinances. When the ordinance is received in faith and with prayer, God gives the grace of which the emblem is but the image.
February 17. Wheat or Chaff?
"His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn — but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!" Luk 3:17 The illustration which the preacher of the desert here uses is very striking. The wheat-sheaves were gathered on the threshing-floor and trodden over by oxen to free the grains from the chaff. Then came the process of winnowing, when the chaff was blown away and the wheat left on the floor ready for use. After that the wheat was carried to the garner, and the chaff was swept up and burned.
God’s penitent, believing ones are wheat — and the finally impenitent and unbelieving are chaff. Christ’s gospel has a stern side. The same breath that cleanses the wheat — drives away the chaff. Which are we — wheat or chaff? Very evidently our eternal destiny will depend on which we are, and we ought to be very sure of it ourselves.
There is a great difference between wheat and chaff. Wheat has life in it; wheat-grains dropped into the earth grow and yield a harvest. Wheat is food; it makes bread and satisfies hunger. Wheat is precious; it is highly prized in the market. Chaff has no life in it; it does not grow, and only rots in the ground. It is not food; it satisfies no hunger. It is not of any value; and it is good only to throw away or to burn. Which of these descriptions best fits our lives?
What sadder thing is there in this world than a human life, made to be golden wheat, to feed men’s hunger — yet proving only worthless chaff? Apart from the doom of impenitence — who, with an immortal soul and almost infinite possibilities of usefulness and blessedness, should be content to be worthless chaff? Made to be children of God and heirs of glory, and to live in blessedness in Heaven forever — shall we tear ourselves away from our high destiny, and, by our own unbelief and folly, doom ourselves to be swept by the divine wrath into unquenchable fire?
February 18. The Divine Patience
"Even now the axe of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire!" Mat 3:10 The picture is very suggestive. The axe lying at the tree’s root, or raised in the woodman’s hand to strike, shows that judgment impends, hangs ready to fall. Any moment the tree may be cut down. The axe lying at the tree’s root unused, tells of patience in the gardener; he is waiting to see if the fruitless tree will yet bear fruit. The axe leaning quietly against the tree is very suggestive. The meaning is very plain. God waits long for impenitent sinners to return to Him; He is slow to punish or to cut off the day of opportunity; He desires all to repent and be saved. Yet we must not trifle with the Divine patience and forbearance. We must remember that while the axe is not lifted to strike, still there is not a moment when it is not lying close, ready to be used; when the summons may not come, "Hasten to judgment!" The axe of death really lies all the while at the root of every life. There is not a moment when it is not true that there is but a step between us and death. The lying of the axe at the root suggests that its use is not pruning — but cutting down. God has two axes. One He uses in pruning His trees, removing the fruitless branches, and cleansing the fruitful branches that they may bring forth more fruit. The work of this axe is not judgment or destruction — but mercy and blessing. It is the good, the fruitful tree — that feels its keen edge.
Then God has another axe which He uses only in judgment, in cutting down those trees which after all His culture of them — bring forth no fruit. Life is all very critical. There is not a moment in any day on which may not turn all the destinies of eternity. It certainly is an infinitely perilous thing for an immortal soul to rest an hour with the axe of judgment waiting to strike the blow that will end forever the day of mercy! Only supremest folly can be blind to duty in such a case.
February 19. The Baptism of Jesus "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan." Mark 1:9
One meaning of Christ’s baptism was that it was His consecration to His public ministry. For thirty years He had dwelt in the quiet home at Nazareth, doing no miracle, wearing no halo, manifesting no divine glory. But He had been sent into this world on a definite mission, and now the time had come for Him to enter upon the work of that mission.
So, obeying the heavenly bidding, He left His home and came to the Jordan to be baptized, and thus consecrated to the ministry of redemption. He knew what was involved in His work. From the edge of the Jordan He saw through to the end. The shadow of the cross fell on the green banks and on the flowing river, fell also across the gentle and holy soul of Jesus as He stood there. He knew what that baptism meant, to what it introduced Him, what its end would be. Yet, knowing all, He voluntarily came to be baptized, thus accepting the mission of redemption.
It was a solemn hour to Jesus when He stood before John waiting for the ordinance that would set Him apart to His work. It was a literal laying of Himself on the altar, not for service only — but for death. It is always a solemn hour when any one stands before God and men to make a public confession of Christ and to enter His service. The act is nothing less than the consecration of a human soul to a service for life or for death. On the seal of an old missionary society, an ox stands between an altar and a plough, and below is the motto, "Ready for either" — ready for service or for sacrifice. This should be the heart legend in every public confession; it should be a solemn devotement to Christ — an entire surrender to Him for obedience, duty, sacrifice; a consecration of the whole life to Christ and His service. Such consecration all have made, who have publicly given themselves to Christ.
February 20. The Shadow of the Cross "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Mat 3:15
One meaning of Christ’s words here is that, as man in the place of sinful men, He must take upon Him all the conditions of humanity. He had no sins of His own to confess — and yet He came to John as other men came. He did this because He was in the place of sinners. A little later John pointed to Him and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." So we see Jesus coming to be baptized, because "all we like sheep have gone astray, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." This baptism with water, however, was but the merest shadow of what the bearing of our sins cost Him. In Holman Hunt’s picture, "The Shadow of the Cross," Jesus is represented at thirteen, standing in the carpenter’s shop at the close of the day. He stretches out His arms and the setting sun casts His shadow in the form of a cross on the opposite wall. The artist’s thought is that across the soul of the gentle youth thus early fell indeed, the shadow of the cross. No doubt the thought is true. Especially here, however, as Jesus entered His public ministry, did not this shadow fall upon Him. This baptism by John was but the emblem of the other baptism. This was only with water, and was but symbolic. He had another baptism to be baptized with the baptism of sorrow, of death, and of curse, when He "redeemed us from the curse of the law by being made a curse for us." We ought never to forget, as we enjoy the blessings of redemption, what it cost our Lord to procure them for us. He endured His unfathomable baptism of sorrow, pain and death — that we might receive the blessings of peace and joy. He tasted death for us — that we might have deathless life!
February 21. The Spirit like a Dove
"As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw Heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove." Mark 1:10
Even Christ with all His divine power needed the anointing of the Holy Spirit to set Him apart for His life-work, and to make Him ready for it. How much more do we, His disciples, need the same anointing before we are truly set apart for work and qualified for it.
There is rich suggestion also in the form in which the Spirit descended. A great many tender thoughts cluster around the dove. It was the dove that the very poor were permitted to bring to the altar as an offering, as a substitute for a more costly animal. The appearance of the dove was one of the harbingers or prophecies of coming spring. The dove was always remembered by the Jews in connection with the abatement of the waters of the deluge, when it returned to the ark bearing the olive-leaf; and it has become among all Christian nations, as well as the olive-branch, an emblem of peace. The dove was also referred to by Christ as a symbol of gentleness and harmlessness.
All these associations made the dove a most fitting emblematic form for the Holy Spirit to assume when descending upon Jesus. For Jesus came to be a sacrifice for all, even the poorest. He came as the spring comes, bringing life to a dead world. He came bringing a message of peace from Heaven to everyone who will open to Him. And He is like the dove in gentleness and harmlessness.
It is this same Holy Dove that must descend upon us if the kingdom of Heaven is truly to begin in our hearts. Until the Holy Spirit has been given to us and received by us — there is no life in our souls and no power in us for work. But this divine anointing is promised to all who truly consecrate themselves to Christ and believe on Him. No vision of cloven heavens and descending dove appears to human eyes — but above every scene of holy devotement to Christ — this blessed reality hangs.
February 22. Enduring Temptation "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." Mat 4:1 The time is to be noted. It was just after the wonderful scenes of our Lord’s baptism. The heavens were opened, and the Spirit descended and abode upon him, and the Father’s voice was heard from Heaven in approval and witness; then immediately came the terrible experience here described. Spiritual privileges do not save us from fiery trials. Indeed there is no time when Satan is so sure to come with his subtle arts — as just when we have passed through some season of special blessing. When we go from our prayer closet after a time of tender communion, he meets us at the door with some evil suggestion. It is after we have been nearest to God, that we are sure to find the devil most active. He is not half so anxious to tempt worldly professors, as those who are glowing with spiritual zeal. An old writer says: "All the while our Savior lay in his father’s shop and meddled only with carpenter’s chips — the devil troubled him not; now that he is to enter more publicly upon his mediatorship — the tempter pierces his tender soul with many sorrows by solicitation to sin." It is the same with us. So long as we move on quietly in our ordinary life — he does not trouble himself to harm us; but when we rouse up to new consecration and new activity in God’s service — he pounces upon us and tries to destroy us! It is therefore in our times of greatest spiritual exaltation — that we need to be most watchful.
We learn here also, that we may expect to endure temptation in this world. New power came to Jesus through his conflicts. His life was developed and made perfect through sufferings. Then, he was fitted for sympathy with us in our temptations — by himself being tempted in all points as we are. Temptations resisted — always bring new strength. Victorious struggle, prepares us for helping others in their temptations.
February 23. Our True Life "Man shall not live by bread alone — but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Mat 4:4
There are other needs of life besides those which bread supplies. Sometimes we hear it said as a pretext for doing wrong or debasing things, "Well, I must live," as if hunger excused stealing or fraud or other sinning in order to get bread. But it is not true that we must live, or that living is in itself the best thing for us. It certainly is not true that we must live — if we cannot live without sinning. We have a higher life than our physical — and this, our true life, is nourished by communion with God.
It is never right for us to starve our spiritual nature — to get bread for our bodies. It is our first duty to keep God’s commandments, and in obedience, is the highest good that we can attain in this world. Sometimes the best thing that we can do for our life — is to lose it; we had better any day starve to death, than commit the smallest sin to get bread. Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Getting bread should not be our first object in living, and is really not our business at all. Life’s true object is to obey every word of God and seek His righteousness. So let us settle it once for all — that we are never to do any wrong thing to get bread; that we are to be true to God always and everywhere, and then leave to Him the caring for our bodies. He promises that He will do this — if we seek, first and only, His kingdom and righteousness. If He wants us to suffer — it will be because in some way suffering will be best. At least we should leave that to Him. Then if we are to go hungry for a time, He will give us strength to endure the pangs — until He sees fit to send relief. Even if we are to die for lack of bread — our soul, our true being, shall live, and shall pass unstained into God’s eternal blessedness.
February 24. Scripture with Scripture "Jesus said unto him: It is also written." Mat 4:7
Christ is our example in all things. Here we see how He met the tempter so as to conquer him. We see just what weapons He used in His victorious conflicts. He used His Bible as a quiver, and He drew from it the sharp arrows which He hurled so successfully against His opponent.
We notice, too, that He did not have to get down His Bible and search through it to find texts to use in His battle. He drew them from memory. This shows that He had made the Scriptures a study in the quiet days at Nazareth, and had His heart filled with the precious words, so that when He needed them they were ready. The lesson for us lies on the surface. If we would be ready to meet the assaults of the tempter — we must have our quiver filled with the polished shafts of Scripture. We must have the words of the Holy Book laid away in reserve in our hearts — so that at the most sudden call, we may use them.
There is another thought here. Jesus said, "It is also written." We must compare scripture with scripture, so as to be sure of the will of God. A single text taken by itself may not give us the will of God. A single text taken by itself may not give us the whole mind of the Spirit on any subject; it may be necessary to take other passages, presenting other aspects of the truth, in order to get the whole truth.
Here the case is very plain and very instructive. The devil had quoted a sublime promise — but had distorted it, omitting the qualifying or limiting words in it. It is very true that God gives His angels charge over us — but it is true also that to get this heavenly care and protection, we must walk in the ways of obedience and duty; the moment we turn away unbidden into other paths and go where God has not sent us — we forfeit this protection. So we must remember always, when we are tempted to expect God’s care or blessing in any sinful or willful course of our own, that it is also written, "You shall not tempt the Lord your God."
February 25. The Lamb of God "When he saw Jesus passing by, he said: Look, the Lamb of God!" John 1:36 This was the first gospel sermon, and it is a model for all preachers and teachers. The preacher pointed his own followers away from himself — to Christ. This same beautiful unselfishness appears in all of John the Baptist’s course. He was only a voice, announcing the coming of a King. He was not that Light — but only one bearing witness to that Light. With throngs following him, the moment Jesus came, John asked the throngs to leave him and go after Jesus. His whole ministry was simply a pointing of people to Christ. This is what all Christian workers should do; they should preach and teach Christ, not themselves. They should not seek to win attention to themselves — but to get all to see Christ and to love Him. Like John, they should be willing to decrease — that Christ might increase; they should be satisfied to fade away like the morning star in the brightness of the sun’s rising. This name by which John drew attention to Jesus, is so very important. He called Him the Lamb of God. This meant that Christ had come into the world not alone to be a teacher — but chiefly to be a sacrifice for sin — to die in the place of sinners. He was called a lamb, no doubt, because of His gentleness and meekness; but the principal reason was because He was to save us from our sins — by bearing them Himself. Just the day before this, John said of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." Not only did He take our sin upon Himself; He bore it away into eternal forgetfulness, to be remembered no more forever. Now all who come to Him are safe forever from condemnation. Long ago their sins were laid on the atoning Lamb, and they will never have to be borne a second time. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."
February 26. What Do You Want?
"When John saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" John 1:36-38
Here we see how easy Christ makes it for those who set out to find Him. When we start to seek Him, ever so timidly and tremblingly, He does not leave us to seek unencouraged — but quickly turns to meet us and to cheer and help us. Then He does not stand apart on some lofty mountain-top far away, or hide Himself out of sight, compelling us to seek alone and struggle through sore difficulties to get to His feet. He sees us when we take our first steps toward Him, and notes the very beginnings of our heart’s longings for Him. In the parable, the father was watching and saw his prodigal son as he came painfully and wearily homeward; and when he saw him — he ran to meet him. It is just in this way that Christ does when He sees a penitent sinner turn his face toward Him.
Notice His question also, "What do you want?" This is Christ’s question to all who begin to go after Him. He wants us to know ourselves, just what it is that we are seeking for. Once, when two blind men cried after Him, He turned and asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" It is good for us to get our desires into definite form. Many people are unhappy, and know that they need something — but do not know what it is. They are unsatisfied with themselves; they are conscious of imperfection, of sin, of unrest; they bend their faces toward Christ and begin to pray to Him — but their prayers are vague and indefinite. Then Jesus turns and asks, "What do you want?" If we will settle definitely what we want — He will be ready to answer. The form of this question also veils a promise: "Tell me what you seek — and I will give it to you." The question is nothing less than a key to Christ’s treasure-house. We need only to be sure that we seek truly — but we must remember that seeking is a very strong word.
February 27. Begin at Home
"The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ’We have found the Messiah!’ And he brought him to Jesus." John 1:41-42
Nobody told Andrew to go after his brother; it was the impulse of his own heart that sent him so quickly away on his love-errand, after he had found Christ himself. The lesson lies on the surface. "Even a dog," says one, "that has had its leg mended will bring other limping dogs to the man that was kind to it." One who has been cured of some disease — will bring all his afflicted friends to the physician who cured him.
You have had your soul saved. All around you are those whose souls are as lost as yours was a little while ago. How many have you brought to Jesus? Do you think you can hold up clean hands, free from the blood of souls — unless you try very earnestly to bring some others to Christ? Notice that it was his own brother that Andrew brought, and the words indicate that the other man — John, brought his brother too, only Andrew was the quicker.
Home, then, is the place where we ought to begin. Yet, strange to say, it is the last place many of us speak about Christ. The old proverb has it, "The shoemaker’s wife is always the worst shod." Often it is the preacher’s or the teacher’s own home, that gets the least benefit and blessing from his messages of love, or from his Christian life and influence. Surely the dearest in the world to you, are home’s precious ones; go first to them, therefore, if any of them are unsaved, and try to bring them to your Savior, that they may find what you have found. Of course you will not stop with home; let the circle widen until your influence reaches as widely as possible; but do not overlook home and those nearest and dearest to you, while you stretch out your hands toward the heathen in China or in Africa — or even reach over the fence to save a neighbor next door. That is a mistake some people make.
February 28. Finding Christ "We have found the Messiah!" John 1:41
We must notice the kind of argument Andrew used with his brother. He just went to him with a great joy in his heart, ’the joy of discovery and of satisfaction,’ and told him about it. An English preacher gives in a sermon this illustration, showing how much more convincing power there is in a little bit of real Christian life — than there is in a large amount of apologetics. A minister delivered in his pulpit a very fine course of lectures in refutation of some form of infidelity. He delivered the course chiefly for the benefit of one man that attended his place of worship. The man was skeptical, and the preacher hoped to remove his doubts. Shortly after the close of the lectures this man came and declared himself a Christian. The minister was very glad, and said to him, "Which of my discourses was it that removed your doubts?" The answer was, "Oh, it was not any of your sermons that influenced me. The thing that set me to thinking, was a poor woman that came out of the chapel beside me one night and stumbled on the steps. I reached out my hand to help her, and she said, ’Thank you;’ then she said, ’Do you love Jesus Christ, my blessed Savior?’ I did not, and I went home and thought about it; and now I can say, I love Jesus." An ounce of heart — is worth more than a ton of head in winning souls. When we have really found Christ ourselves, the best way to bring others, is just to tell them what Christ is to us. One word of genuine and hearty confession of Christ, by a person whose soul is full of the new-found joy — is worth more than the most eloquent sermons to lead others to believe in Christ! Let us be sure that people know from us that we have really found Christ; then they cannot but be impressed. It will surely be a sad pity if we should so live, that others will not suspect that we are Christians!
February 29. The Wedding Feast
"A wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding." John 2:1-2
Jesus approved, sanctified, and adorned marriage by attending this wedding feast. The Bible from the beginning to the end, (from Genesis to Revelation) puts high honor upon marriage. God Himself ordained it in Eden. It is not without peculiar significance that Christ made His first public appearance, and wrought His first miracle, at a wedding, thus showing His approval, and putting His sanction upon the relation.
There is no subject on which young people in these days need to receive more careful instruction, than concerning marriage. The many ill-advised and unhappy marriages, the alarming frequency of separation, and the ease with which for the slightest reason divorces are obtained — show that the ordinance is losing its sanctity in the public mind. Jesus should be invited to every wedding, as He was to this one at Cana. No marriage relation should ever be entered into, when His presence would not be welcome, and on which His blessing cannot be sought and obtained.
It should be noted further here, that it was a wedding feast which Jesus attended. His ministry opened amid scenes of human happiness. We need to learn that Christ is not merely a friend for our sorrow-hours — but also for our times of joy. We do not think enough of this. We regard religion too much "as a lamp burning dimly in a sepulcher," and not as a Sun shining amid the brightness and the radiance of the fairest day. No doubt it is when trouble comes, that Christ seems most precious to us; but He is a Friend for our gladness as well. This lesson from the Cana wedding, we should not lose. Our Lord does not frown upon pure innocent pleasures. Joy is a duty in its place — as really as prayer. We need not be afraid to invite Christ to our social enjoyments; indeed, if we cannot invite Him — something must be wrong with the pleasures themselves.