Evening
Time: 4:03 PM PST
"Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." --Psalm 100:4
Our Lord would have all His people rich in high and happy thoughts concerning
His blessed person. Jesus is not content that His brethren should think meanly
of Him; it is His pleasure that His espoused ones should be delighted with His
beauty. We are not to regard Him as a bare necessary, like to bread and water,
but as a luxurious delicacy, as a rare and ravishing delight. To this end He has
revealed Himself as the "pearl of great price" in its peerless beauty, as the
"bundle of myrrh" in its refreshing fragrance, as the "rose of Sharon" in its
lasting perfume, as the "lily" in its spotless purity.
As a help to high thoughts of Christ, remember the estimation that Christ is
had in beyond the skies, where things are measured by the right standard. Think
how God esteems the Only Begotten, His unspeakable gift to us. Consider what the
angels think of Him, as they count it their highest honour to veil their faces
at His feet. Consider what the blood-washed think of Him, as day without night
they sing His well deserved praises. High thoughts of Christ will enable us to
act consistently with our relations towards Him. The more loftily we see Christ
enthroned, and the more lowly we are when bowing before the foot of the throne,
the more truly shall we be prepared to act our part towards Him. Our Lord Jesus
desires us to think well of Him, that we may submit cheerfully to His authority.
High thoughts of Him increase our love. Love and esteem go together. Therefore,
believer, think much of your Master's excellencies. Study Him in His primeval
glory, before He took upon Himself your nature! Think of the mighty love which
drew Him from His throne to die upon the cross! Admire Him as He conquers all
the powers of hell! See Him risen, crowned, glorified! Bow before Him as the
Wonderful, the Counsellor, the mighty God, for only thus will your love to Him
be what it should.