The Words of Jesus

Excerpt

“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.”

1st Day of Month.

“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....