03.03. March
MARCH March 1. 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!
March 2. The Lord’s Time "My hour has not yet come." John 2:4
He meant that His time for beginning to work miracles had not yet come. With all divine power slumbering in His hands — He would do nothing at any bidding but His Father’s. Even His human mother’s request, He could not in this matter regard.
One thought here is our Lord’s perfect devotion to His Father’s will. We find the same all through His life. He did nothing of Himself. He took His work moment by moment from His Father’s hand. He waited always for His "hour." He had no plans of His own — but followed the Divine purpose in all His acts. All those early years at Nazareth, with omnipotence in His arm, He wrought no miracle. Even now, though appealed to by His mother whom He so deeply loved — He would not do anything even one minute before His hour came. The practical lesson for us here is devotion to God’s will. We should always wait for God. Too many of us run before we are sent. In our zeal for God’s cause and kingdom, we do not wait for Divine direction. We speak words out of season which, despite their earnestness and sincerity — do harm rather than good. We try to feed others with unripe fruits. We address men before they are prepared to hear, and ofttimes in words that drive them beyond our reach. We hurry out to preach — when we ought ourselves to be sitting quietly at our Master’s feet as learners. The most common fault among Christians is that they are too slow in doing Christ’s work and in heeding His calls; but it is a fault also to go too fast for God — to go before He sends us. With all warm love for Christ we must learn to wait for Him, to wait until our hour has come. He must prepare us for the work before we are ready to do it, and then He must prepare the work for our hand. In Christian work we need patience and self-restraint — as well as zeal and earnestness.
March 3. Obedience "Whatever He says unto you — do it." John 2:5 "Whatever He says." We belong to Christ because He has redeemed us. He is our only Lord and Master.
"Whatever He says." We may not choose some of His commands for obedience and some for neglect, inattention, or rejection. We are not to do only the pleasant things He bids us to do, and leave undone the things that are not according to our own taste and feeling. We are to do even the things that cost pain and personal sacrifice. It was thus that Jesus Himself did the will of His Father. That will took Him to His cross; but He did not shrink from accepting it, when He saw the way growing dark before Him, or when He felt the thorns under His feet and the burdens increasing unto crushing weight upon His shoulders. If we would walk in His steps — our obedience must be complete.
"Whatever he says." But how can we know what He says? We cannot hear His voice as the servants at the wedding heard it. He speaks now in His Word, and the reverent heart may always hear what He says, as the sacred pages are prayerfully pondered. He speaks in the conscience that is kept tender by loyal obeying. He speaks in the providence that brings duty to our hand. There never is any real uncertainty as to what He says — if we are truly intent on knowing His will.
"Whatever he says unto you — DO it!" It is the doing that is important. We should never ask questions nor make suggestions when Jesus has spoken; the one thing for us is obedience. We should never ask what the consequences may be, what it may cost us — we are simply to obey. Christ knows why He wants us to do the thing, and that should be reason enough for us.
March 4. Co-Workers with Christ
"Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." John 2:7-8 The servants’ part in this miracle was important: they had to carry the water and fill the vessels, and then draw out and bring the wine to the guests. Thus they became co-workers with Christ in His miracle. So our Lord calls His people always to be His helpers in blessing the world. We cannot do much. The best we can bring is a little of the common water of earth; but if we bring that to Him — He can change it into the rich wine of Heaven, which will bless weary and fainting ones. If we take simply what we have and use it as He commands — it will do good.
Moses had only a rod in his hand — but with this he wrought great wonders. The disciples had only five barley-loaves — but these, touched by Christ’s hand, made a feast for thousands. So to the common water carried by these servants, under the Master’s benediction, became wine for the wedding.
Christ passes the gifts of His love and grace through human hands to others. The redemption is divine, wrought by Christ alone — but the priesthood that mediates is human; human hands must distribute the blessings. Gifts of mercy can get to the lost — only through those who have been saved.
Then how striking is the other side of this truth: the servants carried only common water from the spring — but with Christ’s blessing the water became good wine. So it always is when we do what Christ bids us to do — our most common work, leaves heavenly results. No labor is in vain which is wrought in the Lord. Our commonest work amid life’s trivialities, in business, in the household, which seems but like the carrying of water to be emptied out again — is transformed into radiant service like angel ministry, and leaves glorious results behind. The simplest things we do at Christ’s bidding — may become immortal blessing to other souls or to our own!
March 5. Silent Change
"And the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew." John 2:9
Christ wrought this miracle without noise or ostentation. He said nothing to call attention to what He was going to do. The people around Him did not know of the wonderful work He had wrought. So He works today. He is not in the storm, the earthquake, the whirlwind; but in the "still small voice." His kingdom comes into men’s hearts, not with observation and show — but silently, without parade. The bad life is changed, by His work, into moral purity — and yet no one saw the change made or the hand that wrought it. Silently help comes in the hours of need; silently prayer’s answers, glide down; silently the angels come and go.
It is significant also that the "the servants who had drawn the water knew." Those who work with Christ are admitted into the inner chamber where omnipotence is unveiled. The lesson is very simple and beautiful. Christ takes into His confidence, those who serve Him; and calls them no more servants, but friends. Those who do Christ’s will, know of His doctrine, and see His ways of working. If we would see Christ’s power and glory — we must enter heartily into His service. Ofttimes it is in the lowliest ways, and in the paths of humble, self-denying service, that the most of His glory appears. The master of the banquet did not know whence the wine came; is it not often so with us? People do not know whence the blessings come which glide so softly into their hearts. Many a troubled Christian kneels in prayer in great fear, oppressed by a sense of need, and rises with new rich joy in his heart — yet knowing not whence the strange sweet blessing came. We drink the cups which God fills for us with heavenly sweetness, we receive the gifts which are brought down to us from the very throne — and yet ofttimes we do not know whence these things come, nor recognize the divine presence that works so close beside us.
March 6. More and More of Blessing "Everyone brings out the choice wine first . . . But You have saved the best until now!" John 2:10 The world gives its best first — and the worst comes afterwards!
It is so in all sinful pleasures: first exhilaration — and then bitter remorse.
It is so in the chase for wealth, power, and fame: gratification first — and then painful disappointment. At first money brings gladness — a sort of satisfaction. But as time rolls on and wealth increases — cares multiply, anxieties thicken, burdens grow heavier, and at last — the rich man finds that in all his riches, he has less satisfaction than he had in the days when he was a poor boy!
It is so in all mere worldly ambitions: the first cups of fame are sweet — but soon they pall upon the taste. This truth holds especially in the sinful life: we need not deny that at the beginning, sin is sweet — but bitterness is found at the bottom of the cup! In grace, however, this is reversed — the good wine is kept to the last! Christ Himself had humiliation, darkness, and the shame of the cross — and then exaltation, power, glory! In Christian life, the same law holds:
First there comes bitterness — but out of the bitterness, sweetness flows.
There is first the deep sorrow of penitence — but this gives way to the blessed joy of forgiveness.
First there are self-denial and cross-bearing — but out of these experiences comes a holy peace which fills all the heart.
Sorrows are to be endured — but the good wine of comfort is poured into the emptied cup.
There is also a constant progression in the blessings of the divine life. We never get to the end of them! Indeed, we never get to the best! There is always something better yet to come. Christ keeps the really best wine to the very last — in Heaven! As sweet as Christ’s peace now is to the Christian — he will never know the fullness of the love of God, until he gets home to the Father’s house!
March 7. The First Miracle "This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory" John 2:10 The glory was there before; it had been slumbering in His lowly, human life all along those quiet years of toil and service at Nazareth; but it was now manifested for the first time. This was the first shining out of the Divine splendor before men. We should notice also that it was in a simple act of thoughtful kindness to a perplexed household, that this glory was first manifested. Christ did not wait for some great occasion — but threw the earliest gleams of His divine manifestation upon this homely scene. It should be further noticed that it was in the midst of gladness and festivity, that these first beams of glory shone forth. Thus we see that the glory of Christ — was the radiance of love.
We follow on and we find the same glory burning out more and more brightly, until at last He goes to His cross, manifesting forth in one great act — the amazing splendor of the love of God for the world. No wonder His disciples believed on Him, when they saw this miracle at Cana. It was a gleam of divinity which flashed forth from His lowly form and wrought the marvelous sign.
We should note, too, before leaving the story of this first miracle, that this transformation of water into wine, was a fitting symbol of the whole work of Christ in this world. We have but to look about us and back along the Christian centuries — to see the same glory blazing everywhere, the same transformation perpetually going on. Wherever the gospel goes — wonderful change is wrought. The desert is made to blossom like a garden. The worst lives are touched and transfigured into spiritual beauty. Who that looks upon the perpetual miracle of Christianity in the world — can refuse to believe on Christ? No mere empty creed could produce such results. There is a life in Christianity which quickens and transforms whatever it touches!
March 8. Secret Discipleship
"Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night . . ." John 3:1-2
It was better to come by night, than not to come at all — though we usually think that it showed timidity on the part of Nicodemus. We must remember, however, that Jesus did not rebuke him, nor did He refuse to accept even his secret discipleship. He seems to have received him with loving welcome, and to have taught him in the quiet way Nicodemus chose to come.
We must remember, too that the times then, were not as they are now. Christ had not yet died, nor had the Christian Church been established. Certainly, secret discipleship is not justifiable now, whatever excuse Nicodemus may have had for it in his time. We know too, that it was not satisfactory even in his case. We know that the time came, when he could no longer remain a secret friend. When Jesus was dead on His cross, and when His body, as that of a crucified malefactor, was about to be buried in dishonor among criminals — it is remarkable that the two men who came forward and rescued it from such ignominy and gave it honorable sepulcher — had both until that day been secret disciples. The death of Christ so touched their hearts and aroused their timid, hesitating love — that they could not longer continue secret disciples. The true love of their hearts could not be repressed — and they came forward and risked and dared all for Him, whom they had never before had courage openly to confess.
Secret discipleship is not satisfactory. It does not get the hearty approval of one’s own conscience. It does not bring full rich peace to the heart. It yields but a crippled and hampered Christian life at the best. If we love Christ — we should come out boldly and confess Him at a time when our confession will honor Him, and bring blessing to ourselves. We have a glorious promise that those who confess Him here — He will confess at the day of judgment before angels and men.
March 9. The Gospel
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish — but have everlasting life!" John 3:16 This verse is a little Bible in itself — for it contains the whole gospel.
It shows us the source of man’s redemption — God’s love.
It shows us the measure of this divine love — God gave His only begotten Son.
It shows us how the redemption was accomplished — by the sacrifice of Christ.
It tells us how to be saved — by believing on the Son of God.
It tells us who will be saved — whoever believes on Christ.
It shows us what the salvation is — deliverance from perishing, and the gift of eternal life.
Any one who truly believes that God loves him — is saved; the consciousness of this blessed truth is life in the soul. A story is told of a child in Luther’s time, who thought of God only with dread, as of a terrible Judge! In her stern home, God had been held before her only in this way — to terrify her. She had never heard a word about God’s gentleness or affection. But one day in her father’s printing office, she picked up a scrap of paper and found on it just the first part of this verse, "For God so loved the world — that He gave" the remaining words were torn off — but even this mere fragment was a revelation to her.
God loved — "loved the world", loved it well enough to give something. Exactly what He gave — she did not know — but it was enough for her to know that God loved at all, and that He loved the world enough to give anything to it. The new thought changed all her conception of God. She learned from this time, to think of Him as one who loved her — and this thought brought sweet comfort to her. But we have the whole verse — and we know that God is love. We know just what His love gave — the most costly and most valuable gift in all the universe! This revelation should fill us with unutterable joy!
March 10. He sat on the well "Jesus therefore, being wearied from his journey — sat down on the well." John 4:6 In all the gospel story, there are few more tenderly suggestive pictures of Jesus, than that which we have in these words. He has been traveling all day in the hot sun, and coming to this resting-place, He sits down on a well-curb. He is weary and way-worn with His long journey — He is both hungry and thirsty. This is the picture of Jesus for tired people. In other places we have pictures for the tempted, and for the bereft and sorrowing, for the penitent and for mothers and children, and for the blind, the deaf, the lame, and the persecuted. Here, however, is the picture for the weary. As we look at it, we see the human side of Christ’s life. Here is one of His experiences, which we can understand. As we see Him healing, teaching, raising the dead, transfigured — He is far above us, and we cannot enter into His feelings. But in His bodily weariness, after His long journey in the heat and dust — He is down among us, and we can tell just how He felt. The chief comfort comes to us from the fact that He is able now to sympathize with us when we are tired — because that day, so long since, He was tired. Do we get all the blessing we might get from the truth of our Lord’s actual human experiences? When we have been working hard all day and are weary and faint — let us remember this picture — Jesus, footsore and dust-covered, sinking down in sheer exhaustion on the stone curb. He has not forgotten even in His glory — how He felt that day; and as He sees us in our weariness — His heart feels tenderly for us. He looks down upon us in compassion, and sends to us a benediction of strength and cheer. Let all the people whose work is hard, and who ofttimes are very tired — frame this picture in their memory and keep it always hanging up on the wall of their heart!
March 11. Give Me a drink "A woman of Samaria came to draw water. ’Give Me a drink,’ Jesus said to her." John 4:7 This illustrates to us how full the world’s common walks are of Christ. This woman went out from her home on a very ordinary and commonplace errand, to draw a little water from the public well, and before she returned — she had met the Messiah and He had revealed Himself to her soul as her Savior! She was not seeking for Christ, except as the unsatisfied yearning of her heart was a faint cry for Him whom she knew not. We never know when we are to meet Christ. He often meets us in all the paths of life. She was in the way of simple duty, when he met her. The way of duty is always the surest place to come upon Christ. No one ever yet found Him in the path of disobedience. This woman was unaware of the glory of the presence beside her. Jesus met her in the form of a weary and way-worn man — and won His way to her conscience and heart, before he revealed to her the glory of His personality. Christ continually comes in unrecognized ways, getting near to us and drawing out our love and trust — and before we know that it is Christ — we are loving and trusting Him; then He drops the veil — and shows us His blessed face.
There is another suggestion here: Jesus began His ministry of blessing to this woman — by asking a simple favor of her. "Give me a drink," He said. Thus He continually stands before us in some disguise, asking some service. He Himself has told us that in the least of His little ones who appeal to us for bread in their hunger, or relief in their distress — He Himself comes; and that what we do for these — we do for Him. So we never know when it is Christ who stands before us, in some suppliant or needy one, with a timid request for help. We should be careful how we treat the lowliest person, lest some day we deny a cup of water to the blessed glorious Christ.
March 12. Earthly Joys "Whoever drinks of this water — shall thirst again!" John 4:13 That is just as true of all of earth’s springs of joy — as it was of Jacob’s well. Men and women drink of them today — and find a measure of satisfaction for a little while — but soon they are thirsty as ever again! The human soul cannot be satisfied with any of earth’s good things. This is not the fault of the things of earth; they are good and beautiful in their way and in their place. But the soul is spiritual and immortal, and cannot be filled with any good which is not also spiritual and immortal.
Money and fame and power, can never be food for a soul made in the divine image; nothing less than God Himself can answer its cravings.
We could not make the angels happy — by giving them gold and diamonds, and building them fine marble palaces to live in, and putting crowns and fine clothes on them. No more can we satisfy our own souls with such things! Men try to do so — but their thirst is only momentarily quenched, and soon they must drink again! Gratification only intensifies desire!
There is said to be a strange plant in South America which finds a moist place and sends its roots down. It then becomes green for a little while, until the place becomes dry — when it draws itself out and rolls itself up and is blown along by the wind until it comes to another moist place, where it repeats the same process. On and on the plant goes, stopping wherever it finds a little water — until the spot is dry. Then, in the end, after all its wanderings — it is nothing but a bundle of dry roots and leaves!
It is just the same with those who drink only of this world’s springs. They drink — and then thirst again. They thus go on from spring to spring, blown by the winds of passion and desire, and at last their souls are nothing but bundles of unsatisfied desires and burning thirsts! We must find something better than this — or perish forever! "Whoever drinks of this water — shall thirst again!" John 4:13 March 13. A Living Spring
"But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again — ever! In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life!" John 4:14 The soul was made for God, and when it returns to God — it finds peace and satisfaction. It is not meant, of course, that the Christian has no more natural desires; for longing is the very condition of more blessedness. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled." If there is no thirst — there really is no life. The dove that flew away from the ark went on weary wing everywhere — but found only a wide waste of desolate waters, with no place to alight. Then she flew back to the ark, and was gently drawn inside, where she found warmth, safety, and rest. The story of the dove illustrates the history of the soul that wanders everywhere seeking rest, at last returning to God. How much better if men believed this truth of universal experience — and went at once to God! An immortal soul, from its very nature, cannot find what it needs anywhere, except in God Himself. This word of Christ tells us also what true religion is. It begins in the heart. It is not something external — a mere set of rules or laws to be obeyed, a guide to be followed, an example to be copied. It is new spiritual life in the soul. It is Christ Himself coming into the heart and dwelling there. It is a fountain of life, not a mere cistern — but a living spring open and ever flowing. It is fed from Heaven, and no matter then how dry this world may be — this living fountain in the heart shall never be exhausted, for its connection is with the river of life, which flows out from under God’s throne.
Wherever we go — we have our religion with us, in us — if we are true Christians. We are not dependent upon circumstances. Trouble does not destroy a Christian, because the fountain of his joy is within. This new fountain of life when opened in the soul — is the beginning of eternal life!
March 14. True Worship "God is a Spirit: and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John 4:24
God loves to be worshiped — to have the praise, the adoration, and the homage of His children. In the olden days, burning incense was the symbol of worship; its fragrance rose up toward Heaven, and God smelled a sweet savor. What the fragrance of flowers coming up from dew-anointed fields and gardens is to us — the breath of true worship as it ascends from earth’s believing hearts is to God. God is well pleased with it. He is not satisfied with bare, cold obedience. What parent would be content with mere dutifulness, such as a slave might render to a master — without affection, confidence, regard? God cannot be pleased with the most scrupulous external obedience if there is no heart in it. We must obey Him — because we love Him. This word tells us also how we may worship God, if our worship is to be acceptable. It must be spiritual worship which we render Him. Stately forms please Him not in themselves. The music of splendid choirs and the repeating of creeds and prayers, do not make worship. Worship is heart-adoration, and the only true homage that rises from an assembly or from a private closet where one bows alone — is just the love and praise and prayer and devotion of hearts ascending in the words of human lips. No mere forms of worship are acceptable; the form must be breathed full of love and life. No offerings or gifts avail in worship — unless they are the expression of holy affections. The teaching is not that we are not to use forms of worship; we cannot worship well without forms. The most basic ritual and the simplest ceremony will be pleasing to God — if heart’s love fill them. But the most magnificent ritual will be empty of real worship, and will be an abomination to God — if there is no true worship of the spirit in it. All depends upon what we put into the forms.
March 15. Bread from Heaven "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." John 4:32 The disciples had left Jesus hungry, when they went away to buy bread; they came back to find His hunger departed, and in these words we have the reason He gave for it. He was intently engaged in His Father’s work, doing His will — and in this He found perfect satisfaction. He had found spiritual refreshment — and His bodily weariness and hunger had vanished. His joy in saving a poor lost soul was so great that it made Him forget His hunger. But the joy was not the only food which Christ had; while doing His Father’s work special divine grace was imparted to Him from Heaven, which nourished and strengthened Him. He literally fed on bread from heaven — spiritual bread.
We have other examples of the same. When He had gone through His sore temptation and was "hungry," we are told that angels came and ministered unto Him. In Gethsemane also, after His bitter agony, we read that an angel appeared from Heaven strengthening Him. May we not suppose that always when He had any special service, costing Him an outlay of strength, spiritual refreshment was imparted to Him in some secret way by His Father?
Certainly we have the promise of this in our lives. When Paul asked that his trouble, His "thorn in the flesh," might be removed, the answer was," No: my grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in weakness." When we are united to Christ, our weakness is united to His strength, our emptiness is united to His fullness, for all our need — there flows to us from Him a supply adequate to our want.
We see constant illustrations of this in our homes, where frail ones called to nurse the sick are sustained in a wonderful way through long, wearisome days and sleepless nights of vigil, as if nourished with supernatural food. They have food to eat that others know not of. There flows strength for their need, from Christ’s fullness March 16. Doing the Father’s Will "My food is to do the will of him who sent me." John 4:34
Thus Jesus explained to His disciples how He had been nourished during their absence. He had been laboring in His Father’s work, and this labor had revived Him. There is for all of Christ’s people a wonderful secret of hidden blessedness in these words. There is a life higher than mere bodily existence. As our Lord elsewhere said, "Man shall not live by bread alone — but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." It is only the lower physical life that can be nourished by bread, and this may be well fed while the true life is famishing: the higher existence is sustained by communion with God, and this communion is maintained by doing God’s will.
Obedience secures the Divine presence and companionship. It was this communion with the Father that sustained Christ in all His sufferings. At one time He said, "He who sent me is with me: the Father has not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." The simple joy of doing the Father’s will was another element in the "food" on which Christ here fed. There was also the joy of saving a lost soul. We do not begin to realize the joy that it gives Christ, to see penitents coming home. It was this same "food" that sustained Him in all the sorrows of the cross, "who for the joy set before him — endured the cross, despising the shame."
These are but a few of the many deep and rich suggestions of truth which lie in this one divine sentence. We should learn the lesson for ourselves, for it is true for us as it was for Jesus — that doing the will of God nourishes our souls. Complete and loving submission to the Divine will in time of suffering, lifts the spirit above its pain. Entire devotion to God’s work, brings a Christian into such living communion with his Lord that he even rejoices in toil and sacrifice. To do God’s will brings us into living communion with Him — and that is life indeed.
March 17. Fruit unto Life Eternal "He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit unto eternal life" John 4:36
Those who work for this world — often fail of reward; but those who do God’s work — are sure of good wages and of glorious harvest.
"The wages of sin — is death." The wages of much of earth’s toil — is disappointment. But the wages of living for God — is life, and the joy is sure and eternal.
It is often hard work which the Christian has to do. The sowing is ofttimes in tears — but the reaping is always in joy. Christ Himself found the sowing hard and sorrowful — but He has never been sorry in Heaven for what it cost Him here. The old prophet having spoken of the sorrows and sufferings of Christ’s life, said, "He shall see of the travail of his soul — and shall be satisfied."
We have other examples of the same. When He had gone through His sore temptation and was "hungry," we are told that angels came and ministered unto Him. In Gethsemane also, after His bitter agony, we read that there appeared an angel from Heaven strengthening Him. May we not suppose that always when He had any special service, costing Him an outlay of strength — spiritual refreshment was imparted to Him in some secret way by His Father? As He sits now on His throne and sees the millions of the redeemed coming home to glory, all saved through His sufferings — He never regrets that He gave such a price for their redemption — but rejoices and is satisfied with the wages which He receives. So it will be with all His followers, who are permitted to suffer in any way in bringing lost ones home. The wages will a thousand times compensate for all the sacrifice and cost. No true work for Christ has ever been in vain. On earth many a seed is dropped which dies in the soil; but no seed of heavenly truth which is sown in faith and watered with tears — ever fails to spring up somewhere and some time into a plant of righteousness. It may not always grow as the sower hoped, nor always just where he hoped, nor when; yet no living word of God can ever die.
We should notice the kind of wages God gives His reapers. He does not pay them in gold and silver — but in life — life eternal. Those who work in God’s harvest-fields, may not grow rich in men’s eyes — but they themselves grow into richer, riper, holier spiritual blessedness.
March 18. Sowing and Reaping "One sows, and another reaps." John 4:37 This word of Christ is ofttimes illustrated in its literal sense. Many a man sows a field of wheat — and before the harvest, lies in his grave. Many a man plants a tree, and does not live to taste its fruits; others coming after him enjoy the benefit of his labor.
Then still more frequently, is this word illustrated in its spiritual sense. Ofttimes the sower does not reap any harvest in this world. Many people work hard and faithfully for Christ all their life — and see no results. Then, by-and-by, others come, and with almost no toil — gather abundant harvests from the same fields. One pastor preaches and prays for many years, and sees but few souls brought to Christ. He dies, or goes away and a new man comes. Almost immediately a revival begins, and many souls are brought into the kingdom. One sowed, another reaps. But who will say that the sower’s work was not just as important as the reaper’s? If the first pastor had not labored so faithfully and so long — could the second have gathered such a harvest? We are sure that in Heaven — they will both rejoice together. There is no danger that there will be any jealousy there, as to whose is the just meddle of honor.
Many a mother teaches her children the story of the love of Christ, and presses upon them the acceptance of the Savior. With prayer and faith she awaits the result, hoping to see them confess Christ. But at length her eyes are closed upon earth, and her children are still unsaved. At last, however, there comes a gentle reaper, and they are gathered into the garner. So it is with many a faithful teacher or other Christian worker. We need not then concern ourselves about the reaping. Let us sow everywhere the good seed, and whether we reap the harvest, or some other hand gather it — it will make no difference; sower and reaper shall rejoice together!
March 19. Trials Leading us to Christ
"When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to Him and begged Him to come and heal his son, who was at the point of death." John 4:47 The trouble in his home — sent this man to Christ. Perhaps he would have never have gone at all — had it not been for his son’s sickness. Many of those who went to Christ in the olden days — were driven by their distress of heart. They tried everything else first — and then when all else failed, they hurried to Jesus. The same is true in these days. Many people who have never prayed before — have gotten down upon their knees by the bedside of their sick and dying children, and cried to God on their behalf. Many people have first been sent to God — by their own troubles. It was not until the prodigal was in great poverty, and every other resource had been exhausted — that he said he would arise and go to his father. Many sinners never think of Christ — until they are in despair under the sense of guilt. Not until they see the storm of wrath gathering, do they seek the shelter of the cross. But what a comfort it is that even going so late to the Savior — He does not reject or cast away those who come!
We ought to remember always, that when any trouble comes to us, whatever other purpose it may have — it is certainly intended to send us anew to Christ. Perhaps we have drifted away from Him, or grown careless, or lost our first love. The trouble that touches us — is the merciful hand of God laid on us, to lead us back to our place of safety and blessedness at His side! A man was traveling and was hungry — but did not know where to go to find food. A sudden and violent storm came up, compelling him to seek shelter. Fleeing under a tree for refuge, he found not shelter only — but food — for the storm brought down fruits from the tree’s branches for his hunger. Those whom trouble drives to Christ — also find both shelter from the storm, and food to meet their cravings!
March 20. Death, the Gate of Life
"When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to Him and begged Him to come and heal his son, who was at the point of death!" John 4:47 This man’s son was just on the edge of death — just at its door! The point of death is a point to which all of us must come at some time.
We pass through this world by many different roads. Our paths run in diverse directions, crossing each other at every possible angle. No two of us go in precisely the same path. If we could see a map of the world, with all human paths marked out on it — it would be a strange network which we would behold. But however diverse our courses — every one of us comes at last to the "point of death!" This is a point no one can ever evade. There is no road in life which goes around it. It is a strange point! At it the life suddenly passes out of sight, passes from earth, and enters on a new existence in the eternal world!
What preparation have we made for this "point of death"? Are we ready for it, so that our sudden coming to it at any moment shall not terrify us? What preparation is necessary? Only this — that we are saved in Christ, and are made new creations. Christ changed this "point of death" to a "point of life" for His people! He absorbed all death’s blackness and curse. Now if we are true believers in Christ, dying is but leaving darkness and sin and danger — to pass into eternal light and holiness and safety. A poet represents one coming up to a gate on a mountain-side, over which were written the words "The Gate of Death!" But when he touched the gate, it opened, and he found himself amid great brightness and beauty. Then turning about, he saw above the gate he had entered the words, "The Gate of Life!" If we are in Christ, death is abolished, and the point which earth calls the point of death — is really the point of life! We need then to make sure of only one thing — that we are truly Christ’s by living faith and loving obedience.
March 21. The Return to Nazareth "He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up." John 4:47
It was a hard place for Him to visit and to preach in. He had lived there from infancy. The young people knew Him as schoolmate and playfellow, and then as the village carpenter. One day He went away from home, and soon strange reports about Him came back. Up in Jerusalem and in other places, it was said, He was performing miracles and preaching with wonderful power, and people everywhere were thronging to hear Him, and bringing out their sick to be healed by Him.
It requires no deep insight into human nature, to know how His neighbors would regard all this. In their envy they would sneer at the reports about Him. He was only a carpenter!
Then one day, He came home again, and went to the village church and preached. But they could not endure to hear His words, and they were filled with wrath, and rose up and cast Him out of the town, and tried to hurl Him over a precipice to kill Him!
There are some lessons which we ought to gather from this visit of Jesus to His old home. One is that we ought to seek the salvation of our neighbors and friends, not turning our back upon our old home, though we may have grown great and famous elsewhere.
Another is that as young people, we ought to live so carefully that when we grow up we may be able to stand up in the midst of those who have always known us, and bear testimony for Christ. There are some good men now whose preaching would have but little effect where they were brought up — because of the way they lived when they were at home in youth. But Jesus’ life had been so pure and blameless, that he had no need to blush when he looked His old neighbors in the face and began to preach to them. Every young person should so live, that he will never be ashamed to hear again of anything he has ever done.
March 22. Church Attendance "As his custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day." Luk 4:16
There are many evidences that Jesus had fixed religious habits. Here we have a hint of His attending the synagogue worship on the Sabbath. This had been His custom from childhood, and although He was the Son of God, Lord of earth and Heaven, and had been manifested as the Messiah — He still continued to observe the custom. Some people are careless about church attendance. They find fault perhaps with the minister — he does not feed them, they say. They mean that he does not entertain them. Now no doubt Jesus heard a great may dull talks and sermons — but He did not on that account, stay away from the synagogue. He went there to worship God — not to enjoy an intellectual entertainment.
Others stay away from church, as they say, because there are so many inconsistent Christians who attend, or because the church is so imperfect. We know that it was just the same when Jesus was on the earth. There were a great many church members in Nazareth and elsewhere who were very imperfect. Our Lord knew all about men’s true character, and He saw the worst there was in them. What He saw in some very prominent church people — we may learn from some of His own bitter words against the prominent religionists of His day. Yet this did not keep Him from the services. If He could worship God in a congregation of faulty people — then we should be able to do it.
Another thought is that if He, with all the resources of His own divine nature to draw upon, still needed the means of grace — then surely we need them far more. Still another point to be remembered is the importance forming religious habits, especially the habit of going to church. Here the lesson particularly touches children and young people. Jesus brought this custom from His youth, and never intermitted it in His manhood.
March 23. Now is the Accepted Time "He has anointed me … to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." Luk 4:18-19
Then there must a be a year or a time which is not the "acceptable year." We know that this "acceptable year" closed for the Jewish nation when they nailed their Messiah on the cross. They were doomed from that hour. For a number of years, things went on as before. There was a measure of prosperity. Their city stood in its splendor, and the people dwelt in their homes in some degree of peace. But the day of their merciful visitation ended forever, when they finally rejected Christ. When Jesus stood on Olivet and looked down upon the city and wept over it, and said, "If you had known, even you, at least in this your day, the things which belong unto your peace; but now they are hid from your eyes" — when He spoke these words amid the rush of tears — the "acceptable year" closed. After that, the doom hung over the beautiful city, which in a few years burst upon it in all its woe and terribleness! This is history — but there is another way to look at this matter. There is an "acceptable year" for each soul. It begins when Christ first comes to us and offers salvation. It continues while He still stands at our door and knocks. It closes when we drive Him away from our door by utter and final rejection — or when death comes and hurries us away forever from the world of mercy. This "acceptable year" to each one, is now. Has the reader of these words closed with the mercy and love of Christ? If he has, he knows the preciousness of the "acceptable year of the Lord." If he has not, let him remember that the "accepted time" will soon close. In another place it is called a day, "the day of salvation." A day is short, and when the time of its setting draws on — no power in the universe can prolong it one moment. It would be a fearful thing were the accepted time to end and leave us unsaved.
March 24. Christ the Great Healer
"The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted, and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the captives, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor." Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them: Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Luk 4:17-21 The words had been written seven hundred years before. Now Jesus reads them and says, "I am the One to whom these golden sentences refer. This Scripture is fulfilled before your eyes. I am the Anointed One — and this is the mission on which I came to this world." The whole Old Testament was full of Christ. There were a thousand fingers along its pages — every one pointing to Him. All its types and prophecies and promises — were fulfilled when He came, and lived, and died, and was raised up and glorified. It is very interesting to take up Christ’s whole public life and ministry, and show how perfectly He lived out the wonderful mission which the prophet here outlined for Him centuries before He came. He preached the gospel to the poor; He was the friend of the poor. He healed the broken-hearted. Wherever He went — the sorrowing and the troubled came flocking around Him. As a magnet draws steel-filings to itself from the heap of rubbish — so there was something in Him that drew the sad to Him.
There are two classes always of the broken-hearted. There are those whose hearts are broken because of sin. There are those who are crushed by affliction. Both these classes came to Christ. Sinners came — and found in Him not a stern, censorious Judge, but a tender, compassionate Savior. The afflicted came — and found true comfort.
He loved all men and sympathized with them, and was able to help them. Then He also brought deliverance to sin’s captives, setting them free, breaking their chains. He opened blind eyes; not only the natural eyes to see the beautiful things of this world — but the spiritual eyes as well — to behold the things of Heaven and everlasting life. Then He lifted the yoke of the crushed or oppressed, inviting all the weary to Himself to find rest to their souls. Thus His whole life was simply the filling up of this outline sketch.
March 26. The First Disciples
"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen." Mat 4:18 When Christ wants men for important positions — He never looks for them among idlers. He always seeks in the ranks of busy people, among those who are at their posts and are faithfully doing their duty. When the Lord wanted a man to be the deliverer of His people — He found Moses tending sheep in the wilderness. When He sought for a man to be king over Israel — He found a shepherd lad watching over his flocks. When He wanted a man for a prophet — He found Elisha at his plough. When Jesus needed men to become apostles, to lay the foundation of the Christian Church — He walked by the sea and sought for them among those who were busiest. No doubt there were many idlers loitering along the shore that day, lounging among the boats and watching those who were at work; but Jesus did not call any of these to be His apostles. He did not want for His apostles — idle men or those whom their neighbors did not care to employ; so He passed by all the loungers, and kept His eye on the men who were at work. He must have men of activity, men of energy and earnestness — and He knew where to look for them.
We ought not to lose this lesson. If we want Christ to call us to important places — we must be busy and active, that when He comes seeking for people to do His work — He will see that we are competent and worthy.
We should notice also that Christ often calls those who are engaged in lowly pursuits. If we think our occupation unworthy of us, the way to rise to a better one is to be faithful and diligent where we are, until we are called to a nobler and worthier pursuit. It is to him who is faithful in little things — that the charge of greater things is promised. He who does not well fill the lower place — is wanted neither by God nor by men for the higher place.
March 26. Fishers of Men "Follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Mat 4:19
Personal attachment to Jesus is the very beginning of all Christian life. Believing a creed does not make one a Christian. We may believe every word we find in the Bible about Christ, and every word of His that we have in the gospels — and yet not be His disciples. A Christian is one who has attached himself to Christ as a personal follower. All the invitations Jesus gave implied this. He said, "Come unto me;" "Believe on me;" "Follow me." He always wanted men to come out from the world — and personally identify themselves with Him. Then after they have joined themselves to Him, and He has put His own Spirit into them — He begins to use them. He cannot use them in the saving of souls, until they really belong to Him.
We cannot become "fishers of men" just as we become carpenters, or merchants, or physicians. It is not one of the trades or professions to be taken up and learned as trades and professions are. Colleges and theological seminaries cannot make us "fishers of men." They may teach them how to think, how to write, how to speak; they can furnish them with knowledge of many kinds, they can teach them systems of theology, and make them exegetes, logicians, rhetoricians, or orators. But these things do not make men "fishers of men." These acquirements may be helpful to them in their spiritual work, if they are consecrated to Christ. But the point to be remembered is, that Christ alone can make any one truly a "fisher of men."
Teachers in the Sunday school should remember this. With all that they can learn in classes about how to teach, and all they can get in teachers’ meetings, or helps regarding the lesson — they need yet to go to Christ to learn to win the souls of their scholars.
March 27. At the Call of Christ "Follow Me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Mat 4:19 "They immediately left their nets, and followed Him." Mat 4:20 Their nets were probably all they owned. It was with these, that they earned their living. Yet at the call of Christ — they gave up all, cut themselves off from their means of support, and in simple obedience and faith, went with Him. That is just what we all should do — when Christ calls us. We should obey instantly and without questioning. No matter how much the sacrifice involves — we should make it cheerfully for His sake. Though to obey cuts us off from all our ordinary means of livelihood, and leaves us without provision even for tomorrow — we should not hesitate. Christ takes care of His servants — when they are faithfully doing His will. He asks for absolute surrender to Him. He wants us to trust Him — while we obey Him unquestioningly. The faith in Christ which the gospel requires — is the utter, unreserved devotement of the whole life to Him, and the unquestioning commitment to Him for time and for eternity — of every interest and hope. The question of what He will do with us or for us, or how He will provide for us — should not for an instant be raised. There must be no ’conditions’ — in the following and the consecration. We may not ’bargain’ with Him for an easy time, for ’smooth and pleasant paths’ — but should simply give ourselves to Him absolutely and forever, to follow where and to whatever He may lead us. The "immediately" is also important. Many people are forever postponing duties. But every call of Christ should be answered immediately. Many people obey so laggardly, so reluctantly, and so long after they are called — that half the value of their obedience is lost! Christ always wants instant obedience. There is no ’tomorrow’ with Him. Tomorrow He may not have any need of us, or we may not be here to do the duty He now asks of us.
March 28. Serving Christ
"Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. So He went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them." Mark 1:30-31 That is just what Jesus is doing all the time to His people who are distressed and unable to rise. He does not stand far off, when He would help them — but He comes to them with a brother’s warm heart and ready hand. That is the way we should learn to help each other — by extending a strong, uplifting hand to those who are down. Many fall and need someone who would come in Christ’s name and help them up. The example of this woman must not be overlooked. Christ had given her back her life, and what should she now do with it, but consecrate it to the service of Him who restored it to her? This she did, not in mere words of thankfulness, not in warm and tender emotions of praise only — but in service; she arose and ministered to her Healer and His friends. Her ministry, too, was of the most practical and helpful kind. She did not sigh and wait for some opportunity to do a great service for Jesus; she simply took up the service that came first to her hand, and set about rendering the commonplace attentions of a housewifely entertainer.
There is a whole cluster of suggestions here. Every sick Christian who is restored, whether in an ordinary or extraordinary way — should hasten to consecrate his life to the service of God. Surely it was spared for a purpose — and we shall be disloyal to God if we do not thus devote it. A great many people are always sighing for opportunities to minister to Christ, imagining some fine and splendid service which they would like to render. Meantime, they let slip past their hands — the very things in which Christ wants them to serve Him! True ministry to Christ is doing first of all, and well — one’s daily duties!
March 29. Communion with God
"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed." Mark 1:35
Jesus would always find time for prayer — or make time for it. If His days were full of excitement and toil — He would take time out of His sleep for communing with God. At least He never allowed Himself to be robbed of His hours of devotion.
There are some Christians who think they are excused from prayer and meditation in secret — because they are so busy. Their work presses them so in the morning — that they cannot possibly get time to pray. Their cares occupy them so all day — that they do not find one quiet moment to go alone with God. In the evening — there are so many social or other engagements, meetings, societies, parties; or they are so tired, that prayer is crowded out. The example of Christ speaks its solemn rebuke of all such trifling. We must find time for communion with God — or God will not find time to bless us!
There are some people, also, who claim that they can pray and commune with God, just as well in one public as in private. They do their praying while they walk about, and while they work. They see no use in going apart from others, to pray. Surely if anyone could pray well in a crowd or while engaged in work — Jesus could. No doubt He did hold communion with His Father even in His busiest hours — but this did not meet all the needs and longings of His soul. He left the crowd, left even His own disciples — and retired into places where no eye but God’s could see Him — where no human footfall or voice could interrupt the quiet of His soul, and where He would be absolutely alone!
Surely if Jesus required such conditions in praying — then we do too. We need to find a place for prayer, in which nothing can intrude to break the continuity of thought or devotion. "But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you!" Mat 6:6 March 30. He Went about Doing Good
"Jesus replied, ’Let us go somewhere else — to the nearby towns — so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons." Mark 1:38-39
Jesus went about doing good. He did not confine His blessings to single localities. He sought to reach as many souls as possible. He did not wait for people to come to Him — but carried the good news to their own doors. He thus taught us by example — that His Gospel is for all men, and not for any particular place or people. He taught us also, that we should make the most of our lives and opportunities, scatter the blessings of grace as widely as we can, and tell as many people as possible the good tidings of God’s redeeming love. He wants His Church to keep on preaching the gospel to the "nearby towns" until there is not a town left which has not heard it.
Jesus was in this world, for one thing — to show us a pattern of a true life. We should especially study His life — as the highest example of consecrated ministry. Here we have a glimpse of the way in which He sought to do good. He went about, carrying into every place He could reach — the blessings of His grace and love.
There is something intensely inspiring in the picture which this verse gives us. Jesus seems in eager haste to get to as many places as possible. He has the look and the movement of a man who knows He has not long to stay, and that He has a great deal to do — before He goes away. He wants to miss no town, to leave no person unvisited.
There surely is much in this heart-stirring picture which we ought to imitate. We are here on earth — on an errand of blessing to men. We have something to give to the world, a message from the Father to deliver to His children, blessings to scatter upon needy lives. Somewhere not very far before us — waits our death. What we do — we must do quickly. We should hasten on from one to another, with the gospel-gifts of love, help, and comfort — which our Master has given us to scatter.
March 31. Healing Sickness
"Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. And healing every kind of disease and illness." Mat 4:23
It is sometimes charged that religion is only for people’s souls — that it gives no care to their bodies. But the charge is without foundation. The most casual glance over the gospel story, shows that Jesus Himself was deeply moved by the people’s sufferings, and was continually putting forth His power to heal them. Nearly all His great works — were miracles of healing.
It should also be remembered, that the whole system of institutions for the relief of suffering and for the care of sufferers — hospitals, asylums for all classes of unfortunate people, and homes for the orphaned and the aged and the insane — is the fruit of Christianity. Wherever His angels of mercy go among the sick, the wounded, the suffering, ministering in any way to their comfort — there Jesus goes about with sympathy and healing. He does not only care for His people’s souls — but for their bodies as well. Any trouble of ours whatever, whether of body, mind, or soul — moves Him with compassion.
It is a great comfort to know that while we may not expect miraculous healing of our bodily illnesses — we are sure at least, that our Lord is not indifferent to these distresses; that He designs them to us — for our spiritual benefit; that He is ready to give us the grace we need to endure them patiently and submissively; and that He will heal us — as soon as His wise purpose in these afflictions has been accomplished.
We may be sure always of the sympathy, love, and help of Christ — in all our sickness. He constantly sits in every Christian sick-room, and where faith is strong and clear — He gives great comfort and peace. When He was on earth — He did not go very often to the places of mirth and festivity. But whenever there was anyone sick in a home — He was sure to go there! Sickness and pain draw Him to us; and whenever He comes — He brings rich blessings.