Himself

“Jesus Christ Himself.” — EPpu. ii.

OU will say, “But this is not a name of Christ at all.” Perhaps not; and yet somehow it seems to me the sweetest name of any. It is what all the other names lead up to, the reality and the crown of them all “Jesus Himself!” Do you know a sweeter word than that? I don’t think I do! It seems to bring us right up to Him, quite close.

When the two disciples took that sorrowful walk to Emmaus, /esus Himself drew near (Luke xxiv. ); and there was no more sadness, but hearts burning within them, and the very mention of it warms our own hearts as we read. Then that same evening, when they were telling the disciples about it, “Jesus Himself” stood in the midst and said, “‘ Peace be unto you!” (ver. ).

It seems as if surely azy heart must be touched, when we read again and again, “Christ also hath loved us and given Aimself for us” (Eph. v. 3

“Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people” (Tit. ii. ) “Who gave Himself for our sins” (Gal.i. ), and, closer and more wonderful still, ‘“‘ gave Himself for me” (Gal. ii. ). And then we read, “who As own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Pet. ii ). Surely He meant us to be touched and softened and won by such a word!

Then we read that because we are flesh and blood He Himself likewise took part of the same (Heb. ii. ). So that “Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses’ (Matt. vii. ); (ought not that to comfort the sick ones?) and He Himself suffered being tempted, so that He might help us when t22 Morning Stars.

we are tempted (Heb. ii. ). There are many other places that I might tell you of, but I would rather you would try to find the rest for yourselves.

Jesus Himself! He Himself loves you; He Himself wants your love. It is all real and true; He Himself watches you as you read these words, and waits for your answer of love. Will not you yourself give yourself to Him now and forever? He is coming again; and when He comes it will be Jesus Himself that you will see. ‘“‘ Whom I shall see for myself, and not another” (Job. xix.

). No! not another, not a stranger (as you will see in the margin), but “this same Jesus,” “Jesus Himself.” Then we shall know all the sweetness and all the glory of the reality of Jesus Christ!

He Himself, and not another,
He who loves us to the end,

King and Saviour, Lord and Brother, Gracious Master, glorious Friend!

He Himself, whose name and story
Make our hearts within us glow,
He is coming in His glory!
Come, Lord Jesus, even so!

“Surely I come quickly.”
Amen.
“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

(Rev. xxii. d