THE writer has just called to mind a circumstance which happened some years ago during his visiting a dying man suffering from a most painful malady, and of whose state of soul with reference to meeting God he had no previous acquaintance. On entering the room he found him in one of those paroxysms peculiar to the disease which was rapidly bringing him to the close of his earthly sojourn, and which indeed had not, humanly speaking, been a short one. His agony was terrible to witness, and his attendant was unable to minister, by any skill or means she possessed, even momentary relief. There we stood, our hearts deeply moved with sympathy but no power to relieve.
Has the reader ever been in the presence of deep human suffering, the result of sin, from which many victims have pleaded to be relieved although apparently without hope beyond the grave? If so, he will surely be able to understand how powerless is the most skillful physician, and ofttimes how unavailing are the most scientific means to give relief. It was so in this case.
But one thing was not unavailing. Is the reader curious to know what this was? The power of the name of Jesus. Yes, spite of unbelief and the incredulity of the skeptic, there was a miraculous power of relief to this poor sufferer by the very mention of that name. The writer scarcely knowing what to do, and unaware that the dear man had had any previous acquaintance with it, stooped down and breathed into his ear that one word, JESUS. The effect was wonderful. In a moment a heavenly glow lit up his hitherto distorted countenance, and his lips opened with thanksgiving and praise at the mention of this blessed name, which called to his remembrance the tale of divine love unfolded at Calvary. His pain, if still there, was utterly forgotten, yea, we believe we may go further, and say that that name had proved for the time being a healing balm to his sufferings, for shortly after the writer left him in quietness and repose.
But there is another power in that name we would draw your attention to. God has set value upon it for salvation, and the Holy Spirit has come into the world consequent upon the One who bears it having been rejected by men, but exalted to the right hand of God, giving miraculous demonstration in the perfect soundness given to the impotent beggar at the Beautiful gate of the Temple, and confirmed by the apostle Peter, who, being filled with the Holy Spirit, made the magnificent declaration to the Jewish Council (the man who had been healed, known well to them all, standing with him):— “Ye rulers of the people and elders of Israel, if we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God has raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at naught by you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED” (Acts 4:8-118Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (Acts 4:8‑11)).
We would specially call the reader’s solemn attention to this declaration, for upon it depends the most momentous issue ever set forth by God to men. “For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received its just recompense of reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him; God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to His own will?” (Heb. 2:2-42For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; 4God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (Hebrews 2:2‑4)). We would affectionately ask all our readers to weigh this solemn question put by the Holy Spirit Himself, for but one answer can be supplied from the Word of God, “They shall not escape” (1 Thess. 5:33For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)).
There is yet one other point we would mention—the declaration made by the prophet Isaiah, “As I live, saith Jehovah, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Isa. 45:2323I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. (Isaiah 45:23)).
When the heavens are again opened (Rev. 19:1111And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11)) the world will see this same Jehovah in the Person of Jesus coming, not now to be “despised and rejected of men,” nor to bring salvation to those who now despise and set Him at naught, yea, who make His peerless name the “song of the drunkards,” but to fulfill the divine decree, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in the earth, and things under the earth; and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2 10, 11). The very place that witnessed His humiliation and sufferings shall be the scene of His universal power and glory.
Reader, how will it be with you in that day?
“Ho! all ye heavy laden, come!
Here’s pardon, comfort, rest, and home;
Ye wanderers from a Father’s face
Return, accept His proffered grace;
Ye tempted, there’s a refuge nigh:
‘Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.’
But if you still His call refuse,
And all His wondrous love abuse,
Soon will He sadly from you turn,
Your bitter prayer for pardon spurn:
‘Too late! too late!’ will be the cry —
Jesus of Nazareth has passed by.’”