|
The superlative beauty of Jesus is
all-attracting; it is not so much to be admired as to be loved. He is more
than pleasant and fair, he is lovely. Surely the people of God can fully
justify the use of this golden word, for he is the object of their warmest
love, a love founded on the intrinsic excellence of his person, the complete
perfection of his charms. Look, O disciples of Jesus, to your Master's lips,
and say, "Are they not most sweet?" Do not his words cause your hearts to
burn within you as he talks with you by the way? Ye worshippers of Immanuel,
look up to his head of much fine gold, and tell me, are not his thoughts
precious unto you? Is not your adoration sweetened with affection as ye
humbly bow before that countenance which is as Lebanon, excellent as the
cedars? Is there not a charm in his every feature, and is not his whole
person fragrant with such a savour of his good ointments, that therefore the
virgins love him? Is there one member of his glorious body which is not
attractive? — one portion of his person which is not a fresh lodestone to
our souls? — one office which is not a strong cord to bind your heart? Our
love is not as a seal set upon his heart of love alone; it is fastened upon
his arm of power also; nor is there a single part of him upon which it does
not fix itself. We anoint his whole person with the sweet spikenard of our
fervent love. His whole life we would imitate; his whole character we would
transcribe. In all other beings we see some lack, in him there is all
perfection. The best even of his favoured saints have had blots upon their
garments and wrinkles upon their brows; he is nothing but loveliness. All
earthly suns have their spots: the fair world itself hath its wilderness; we
cannot love the whole of the most lovely thing; but Christ Jesus is gold
without alloy-light without darkness — glory without cloud — "Yea, he is
altogether lovely." |
|
Communion with Christ is a certain cure for
every ill. Whether it be the wormwood of woe, or the cloying surfeit of
earthly delight, close fellowship with the Lord Jesus will take bitterness
from the one, and satiety from the other. Live near to Jesus, Christian, and
it is a matter of secondary importance whether thou livest on the mountain
of honour or in the valley of humiliation. Living near to Jesus, thou art
covered with the wings of God, and underneath thee are the everlasting arms.
Let nothing keep thee from that hallowed intercourse, which is the choice
privilege of a soul wedded to
the well-beloved. Be not content with an interview now and then, but seek always to retain
his company, for only in his presence hast thou either comfort or safety.
Jesus should not be unto us a friend who calls upon us now and then, but one
with whom we walk evermore. Thou hast a difficult road before thee: see, O
traveller to heaven, that thou go not without thy guide. Thou hast to pass
through the fiery furnace; enter it not unless, like Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, thou hast the Son of God to be thy companion. Thou hast to storm
the Jericho of thine own corruptions: attempt not the warfare until, like
Joshua, thou hast seen the Captain of the Lord's host, with his sword drawn
in his hand. Thou art to meet the Esau of thy many temptations: meet him not
until at Jabbok's brook thou hast laid hold upon the angel, and prevailed.
In every case, in every condition, thou wilt need Jesus; but most of all,
when the iron gates of death shall open to thee. Keep thou close to thy
soul's Husband, lean thy head upon his bosom, ask to be refreshed with the
spiced wine of his pomegranate, and thou shalt be found of him at the last,
without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Seeing thou hast lived with
him, and lived in him here, thou shalt abide with him for ever. |
