John 12:50

REFLECTIONS

Ponder well, my soul, the many blessed things contained in this chapter concerning thy God and Savior. And while thou beholdest the gracious condescension of Jesus in the days of his flesh, granting his sweet presence and divine discourses, in supping with his people, as in the house of Lazarus, and Simon the Leper; do not for a moment question, but that now, in the day of his power, he will come, as he hath said, and sup with his people, and cause them by faith to sup with him. And what though thou hast no costly ointment, as Mary had, to anoint thy Lord's feet, yet, when Jesus comes, he will bring everything that is blessed with him. Remember, that thy Lord comes not to receive, but to give, not that He may be made more blessed, for that is impossible, but that thou mayest be made more happy. It is enough when through his grace enabling them, his people lay low at his feet, and while the king sitteth at the table of his own providing, he will cause the spikenard of his own graces, called forth into exercise from thine heart by his Holy Spirit, to send forth the smell thereof

Blessed Lord Jesus! may I never forget that soul trouble of thine which is here spoken of! Give me grace to meditate on the wondrous subject. Oh! for a solemnity of soul always suited to the contemplation. The very recollection is enough to damp all unsuited and unbecoming lightness of mind at all times. Did Jesus feel soul-heaviness on the account of his redeemed, and shall they be light minded? Did Jesus groan, and shall I be unconcerned? Blessed be my God and Father, who so graciously answered his dear Son by a voice from heaven. And blessed be the Lord for his mercy to all his redeemed by the act, since it came for their sakes. And oh! for grace, to rejoice with a joy unspeakable, and full of glory, in what God the Father then declared to his dear Son, concerning his Mediator-office and character, that the Lord had glorified his name, and will glorify it again, yea, forever! And blessed be God for that precious assurance, more precious than the gold of Ophir, it was the glory of Christ, which Esaias saw when he spake of Him. It is, and everlastingly must be the glory of Christ, which is the joy of all his people. Oh! thou dear Lord! write these blessed words of thine in my heart, to lift up my soul with joy forever: I am come (saith my Lord), a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me shall not abide in darkness.