The Words of Jesus

By the Author of “the Morning and Night Watches,” “the Faithful Promiser,” Etc

Taken from the last London Edition

New York: STANFORD & DELISSER, No. 508, BROADWAY. 1858

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The Words of Jesus

“A word spoken in season,” says the wise man, “how good it is!” If this be true regarding the utterances of uninspired lips, with what devout and paramount interest must we invest the sayings of Incarnate Truth — “the WORDS OF JESUS!”

We have, in the motto-verses which head the succeeding pages a few comforting responses from the Oracle of heavenly Wisdom — a few grapes plucked from the true Vine — living streams welling fresh from the Living Fountain. Every portion of Scripture is designed for nutriment to the soul — “the bread of life;” but surely we may well regard the recorded “Words of Jesus” as “the finest of the wheat.” These are the “Honey” out of the true “Rock,” with which He will “satisfy” us. “The WORDS that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.”

The following are selected more especially as “Words for the Weary” — healing leaves for the wounded spirit falling from the Tree of Life. Jesus was divinely qualified for this special office of speaking “many and comfortable words.” “The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I might know how to speak a Word in Season to him that is weary.”

Let us, like the disciple of Patmos, turn to hear the voice that speaks to us, saying, “I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope.” Eighteen hundred years have elapsed since these “words” were uttered. With tones of unaltered and unchanged affection, they are still echoed from the inner sanctuary — they come this day fresh as they were spoken, from the lips of Him whose memorial to all time is this: “that same Jesus.”

Reader, seek to realise, in meditating on them, the simple but solemn truth — “Christ speaks to me!” Surely nothing can be more soothing with which to close your eyes on your nightly pillow, or to carry with you in the morning out to the duties (or, it may be, the trials and sorrows) of the day, than — “A WORD OF JESUS.”

“Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said”

“Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” — Matt. xi. 28.

The Gracious Invitation

Gracious “word” of a gracious Saviour, on which the soul may confidingly repose, and be at peace for ever? It is a present rest — the rest of grace as well as the rest of glory. Not only are there signals of peace hung out from the walls of heaven — the lights of Home glimmering in the distance to cheer our footsteps; but we have the “shadow” of this “great Rock” in a present “weary land.” Before the Throne alone is there “the sea of glass,” without one rippling wave; but there is a haven even on earth for the tempest-tossed — “We which have believed DO enter into rest.”

Reader, hast thou found this blessed repose in the blood and work of Immanuel? Long going about “seeking rest and finding none,” does this “word” sound like music in thine ears — “Come unto Me?” All other peace is counterfeit, shadowy, unreal. The eagle spurns the gilded cage as a poor equivalent for his free-born soarings. The soul’s immortal aspirations can be satisfied with nothing short of the possession of God’s favour and love in Jesus.

How unqualified is the invitation! If there had been one condition in entering this covenant Ark, we must have been through eternity at the mercy of the storm. But all are alike warranted and welcome, and none more warranted than welcome. For the weak, the weary, the sin-burdened and sorrow-burdened, there is an open door of grace.

Return, then unto thy rest, O my soul! Let the sweet cadence of this “word of Jesus” steal on thee amid the disquietudes of earth. Sheltered in Him, thou art safe for time, safe for eternity! There may be, and will be, temporary tossings, fears, and misgivings, — manifestations of inward corruption; but these will only be like the surface-heavings of the ocean, while underneath there is a deep settled calm. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace” (lit. peace, peace) “whose mind is stayed on Thee.” In the world it is care on care, trouble on trouble, sin on sin; but every wave that breaks on the believer’s soul seems sweetly to murmur, “Peace, peace!”

And if the foretaste of this rest be precious, what must be the glorious consummation? Awaking in the morning of immortality, with the unquiet dream of earth over — faith lost in sight, and hope in fruition; — no more any bias to sin — no more latent principles of evil — nothing to disturb the spirit’s deep, everlasting tranquillity — the trembling magnet of the heart reposing, where alone it can confidingly and permanently rest, in the enjoyment of the Infinite God.

“THESE THINGS HAVE I SPOKEN UNTO YOU, THAT IN ME YE MIGHT HAVE PEACE.”

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