“WE are both aiming for the same place, but have different ways of getting there,” were the words spoken by an elderly Jew, with whom I once had a conversation.
One Friday evening, having a little business to transact, I directed my steps to his residence, not remembering for the moment that the Jewish Sabbath commenced at the going down of the sun. We sat talking over the business, and settled all except the payment of some money. Upon my mentioning this matter, he said, “I cannot take that now, because it is the Sabbath. I am getting old, and I want to be as good as I can.”
I apologized for my forgetfulness, and feeling what a solemn thing it was for him to be going on in the path he was treading, I said a few words in testimony for Jesus, which led to the remark, “We are both aiming for the same place, but have different ways of getting there.”
The words of Jesus came very forcibly to my mind, and I repeated them distinctly to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)). I left him with this message from God’s Word. Whether it ever found an entrance into his heart, eternity alone will reveal. “For there is none other name given under heaven among men whereby we must be saved.”
“How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear:
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear.”
Let me ask you, reader, have you come to Jesus, or have you been trying your way; seeking by your own efforts to do something to commend yourself to God? With the new year you turned over a new leaf, and you resolved with true earnestness to live a better life. Would to God that souls were as much in earnest in coming to the Saviour as they are in their efforts to do something―to merit the favor of God.
Let me tell you, in the language of God’s Word, “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight.” If by your doing you could have merited the favor of God, and I speak reverently, there would never have been the necessity for the death of Jesus. Man has been tested and tried, and he has failed; hence the words of Jesus to Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again.”
Let me take you back in memory to Calvary’s cross. Look at that scene—Jesus, the Son of God, hangs between two malefactors. The wish of the people has been carried out, and there Jesus suffers; there, in the untold agony of His soul, during those hours of darkness, He drinks the bitter cup of judgment; there He is heard to say, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
When on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Elias, He spake of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem. Then Peter said unto Him, “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias” (Matt. 17:44Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. (Matthew 17:4)). There came a voice out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matt. 17:55While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)). God, as it were, could not look on and see Him put on an equality with Moses and Elias.
But, oh, what a different scene at Calvary, when He cried out, and there was no answer. No, God must forsake Him; there as the sin-bearer, as the sinner’s substitute, He was forsaken.
“Alone He bare the cross
Alone its grief sustained,
His was the shame and loss
And He the victory gained.”
He was forsaken that you, poor sinner, might never be, if you believe in Jesus. He bore the judgment of a righteous God against sin; and He has finished the work. Oh that you may know “he bore my sins on his own body on the tree.” Then you will be able to say―
“Payment God will not twice demand:
First at my bleeding Surety’s hand
And then again at mine.”
The day of grace will soon close; Jesus is coming. He is offering you eternal life. “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)).
L. C. G. T.