It is very instructive to observe, that, in reading the gospels, we find presented to us, not a system of doctrines, but a living Person, even the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
In the simple, but vivid and exquisitely beautiful, narratives of the evangelists, He lives and moves before us. We hear His words of grace, and see His acts of love. The disciples were drawn to Himself, and were occupied with Him. They were ignorant of much truth, but they knew Him who is truth incarnate, and who was then manifested as the living Truth and Grace come down among men. Thus Peter says, for himself and the rest,
Even so is it now. True, the Lord Jesus has “died for our sins;” but He is “risen again.”
“For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Rom. 5:1010For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10)).
The eye of faith fixes itself, not on a dead Christ, but on a risen, living, glorified Savior.
The constant effort of Satan is, to draw away our thoughts and our hearts from Christ. How easy it is to have the mind engaged about ordinances, doctrines, or even our service for Christ, instead of cultivating direct fellowship with Christ Himself.
The casket is thought of, more than the jewel; the drapery is observed, more than the figure. Yet the true blessing of the soul is ever found, in steadily contemplating, with the eye of faith, the glorious Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dear Christian reader, are you living by faith on Jesus, the Son of God, the unfailing food and life of your soul? Are you seeking daily constant communion with Him? Is your heart saying,
“Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly, O, Thou bright and morning Star”?
“Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”