THE POWER AND LOVE OF CHRIST

THE POWER AND LOVE OF CHRIST

It is a great thing to be like Martha, serving the Lord, and of highest privilege to be like Lazarus, sitting at table with Him; but to be in concert with Him, as Mary was, exceeds all. Jonathan could surrender his own honour to adorn a great conqueror. But Ruth could devote herself to death to Naomi when she was desolate and poor, and all because of the love she bore to Naomi - a love not for great services rendered, as in Jonathan’s case, but because of what Naomi had been to her in the day of her sorrow. If we have learned the love of Christ in the twofold way, the one purpose of our hearts must be to be in concert with Him now. I have a sort of exhilaration in the conviction that He is showing us His mind in His word. I know Him in a way that no pencil could portray. I have my own secret portrait as of One pre-eminently dear to me. My heart reverts to where He is. I know Him, but I know that He is not here, and therefore seek Him in His own place; and if my love is true, I am careful that there may not be a shade of distance between Him and me. I join Him in spirit in a place altogether suited to Himself.

Paul speaks of knowing the power of Christ, John of the ministry of Christ.

Paul of the effect to be produced, John of the ministry that would produce it.