ONE Good Friday evening, a poor woman was returning to her home from a religious service, which had been marked by those emblems that naturally deeply affect our feelings. The dimly-lighted building, the black drapery, the slow and mournful music, and all these signs accessories to the great feature of the ceremony—a large crucifix! All this had its effect on the poor woman, who was a seeker after God, and downcast she returned to her home. She had not found Him, and knew not that He was seeking her.
Not far from her house was a mission hall, and this she had to pass. The poor woman was arrested by the sound of singing proceeding from this hall, and she climbed up the wooden stairs, and stood at the door for a moment. She could see inside the room, and instantly one thing struck her—the array of happy faces! The joyous countenances of many of God’s children engaged her. What could their happiness mean? Why did they look so glad? What made them rejoice? Such questions passed through her mind, and such questions do pass through the minds of men and women when they behold the joy of the Lord filling the hearts of their fellow men. There is a testimony for God in the joy of His salvation which is unanswerable. “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” (Psa. 32:1111Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. (Psalm 32:11)).
Presently the stranger was seated in the mission room. She had entered just before the speaker began his address. He opened the Book of God, and read these words: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:14, 1514And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14‑15)).
The preacher told the sweet story of the love of Jesus, even unto death. He had been crucified. He had died. His hands and His feet had been nailed to the tree. He had borne the judgment due to His people in His own body there. All that work was done. “It is finished,” were His own words upon the cross. The eternal Son sent from heaven had become the Son of man, and for us He had been lifted up. Blessed sight, all sights above!
The poor woman had often looked at the crucifix, and had knelt before it; that night she looked to Jesus once crucified. She cast herself before Him, Himself, by faith—she heard that Jesus was no longer nailed upon the cross, no longer the suffering Saviour, but the Conqueror, the risen and exalted Lord of all. A living Jesus was presented to her longing heart, that evening, by the Spirit of God, and she found rest to her soul.
She, too, could rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, believing on Him, whom not having seen, she, by grace, had learned to love.
Which is it, reader, with you, the crucifix, or Him who was crucified? An image of a dead Christ, or Himself who liveth and who became dead? Which is it with you—the solemn pomp of outward religion, senses awed and feelings amazed, or the peace and joy which God gives by His Spirit?
Ponder over the question, and may Jesus Himself be to you Saviour, Succorer, Friend.