the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portions
February 2—Morning—Luke 7:44
"Seest thou this woman?"—Luke 7:44.
My soul, look at this woman at the feet of Jesus; for thy Jesus bids thee look, and gather instruction from the view, as well as the pharisee. Behold how she wept, how she washed the feet of Jesus, and anointed them with ointment. These were sweet tokens of her love and adoration. But were these the causes for which she obtained forgivings? Oh, no. Read what the Lord said to her: "Thy faith hath saved thee." Learn, then, my, soul, in what salvation lies. Love may bring ointment to Jesus. Sorrow for sin, when grace is in the heart, will cause tears to fall. But faith brings nothing, for it hath nothing: it casts itself wholly upon Jesus. Amidst all its guilt, and fears, and tears, it is Jesus only to whom faith looks; it is Jesus upon whom alone it depends. It hath nothing to do with self; neither our own feelings, nor the exercise of our graces. These are blessed evidences of the work of the Lord upon the heart; but they are not, salvation. It is Jesus, all precious, all glorious, all suitable Jesus! He is the One blessed object of faith’s joy and hope, and pursuit and desire. And, depend upon it, thy God and Father in Christ Jesus, is more pleased, more honoured, by this simple act of faith upon Jesus glorious person and righteousness, than by all the tears in the world; when those tears lead us to place a stress upon the effects of faith, instead of hanging wholly upon the cause, in the glorious object, Jesus. Pause, my soul, over this nice but proper distinction; and this will be to find comfort always in Jesus, "Seest thou this woman?"
February 2—Evening—John 3:12
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things?"—John 3:12.
Was there ever condescension like that of Jesus, to accommodate himself to the dull and senseless capacities of his people? Kind, compassionate, indulgent Teacher, I would say, how shall I sufficiently admire or adore thy love? Oh! that a consciousness of my ignorance would endear to me thy wisdom! And Oh! that a sense of the deep things of God would induce in me a temper and frame of mind suited to the docility and humbleness of a weaned child! Now, my soul! mark from these words of thy Jesus to that master in Israel, Nicodemus, that so sublime are the wonders of redemption, even in that part of it which is connected with earthly things, that our capacities, until opened and fitted for the apprehension of divine truths by grace, cannot enter into the enjoyment or belief of them. And how then shall the glories of eternity, which are reserved for unfolding on the other side of Jordan, be brought within the grasp of our intellect? And yet there are some, yea, many, who with the incredulity of Thomas, refuse conviction, unless they receive what, in the present state of things, cannot be granted. Blessed Master, I desire to praise thee for that proportion of faith thou bast given me, to "believe the things which are freely given to me of God;" and I beseech thee, Lord, to grant me increasing proportions of faith and grace, that I may both believe the earthly things of salvation, and the heavenly things to be revealed. I would pray for grace and faith in lively exercise, to connect and bring into the same view, both worlds, as they concern thee and thy great salvation. Yea, Lord, I would pray for increasing knowledge of, and delight in all the great things of salvation, among the transactions of earth here below; such as the momentous truths of regeneration, justification by thy blood and righteousness, and the eternal acceptance of thy people in thee, and in thee only, the beloved. And I would pray also for the most enlarged and enlarging views of faith, concerning the glories which shall be revealed, which "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man to conceive." Lord, increase my faith, and prepare me for the everlasting enjoyment of thyself in glory, when faith "shall be swallowed up in sight; when I shall see thee as thou art, and know even as I am known."
