Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us. Ephesians 5:2
PH 5:2{Yes, Himself! What is the Bride's true and central treasure? What calls forth the deepest, brightest, sweetest thrill of love and praise? Not the Bridegroom's priceless gifts, not the robe of His resplendent righteousness, not the dowry of unsearchable riches, not the magnificence of the palace home to which He is bringing her, not the glory which she shall share with Him, but HIMSELF! Jesus Christ, "who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree"; "this same Jesus," "whom having not seen, ye love"; the Son of God, and the Man of Sorrows; my Savior, my Friend, my Master, my King, my Priest, my Lord and my God—He says, "I also for thee!" What an "I"! What power and sweetness we feel in it, so different from any human "I," for all His Godhead and all His manhood are concentrated in it, and all "for thee!" And not only "all" but "ever" for thee! His unchangeableness is the seal upon every attribute; He will be "this same Jesus" forever. How can mortal mind estimate this enormous promise? How can mortal heart conceive what is enfolded in these words, "I also for thee"?
"This same Jesus!" Oh! how sweetly fall these words upon the ear,
Like a swell of far-off music, In a night watch still and drear!
He who gently called the weary, "Come and I will give you rest!”
He who loved the little children, took them in His arms and blest;
He, the lonely Man of Sorrows, 'neath our sin curse bending low;
By His faithless friends forsaken in the darkest hours of woe.