“And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.” — 2 Samuel 21:10 […]

“With His stripes we are healed.” — Isaiah 53:5 Pilate delivered our Lord to the lictors to be scourged. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were inter-twisted every here and there among the sinews; so that every time the lash […]

“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.” — Lamentations 3:40 The spouse who fondly loves her absent husband longs for his return; a long protracted separation from her Lord is a semi-death to her spirit: and so with souls who love the Saviour much, they must see His face, […]

“He was numbered with the transgressors.” — Isaiah 53:12 Why did Jesus suffer Himself to be enrolled amongst sinners? This wonderful condescension was justified by many powerful reasons. In such a character He could the better become their advocate. In some trials there is an identification of the counsellor with the client, nor can they […]

“And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” — Matthew 15:27 This woman gained comfort in her misery by thinking GREAT THOUGHTS OF CHRIST. The Master had talked about the children’s bread: “Now,” argued she, “since Thou art the Master of the table of grace, […]

“Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered.” — Hebrews 5:8 We are told that the Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, therefore we who are sinful, and who are far from being perfect, must not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering […]

“I will accept you with your sweet savour.” — Ezekiel 20:41 The merits of our great Redeemer are as sweet savour to the Most High. Whether we speak of the active or passive righteousness of Christ, there is an equal fragrance. There was a sweet savour in His active life by which He honoured the […]

“The love of Christ which passeth knowledge.” — Ephesians 3:19 The love of Christ in its sweetness, its fulness, its greatness, its faithfulness, passeth all human comprehension. Where shall language be found which shall describe His matchless, His unparalleled love towards the children of men? It is so vast and boundless that, as the swallow […]

“And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.” — Matthew 15:27 This woman gained comfort in her misery by thinking GREAT THOUGHTS OF CHRIST. The Master had talked about the children’s bread: “Now,” argued she, “since Thou art the Master of the table of grace, […]

“Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.” — Matthew 26:56 He never deserted them, but they in cowardly fear of their lives, fled from Him in the very beginning of His sufferings. This is but one instructive instance of the frailty of all believers if left to themselves; they are but sheep at the […]

“When He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” — Mark 8:38 If we have been partakers with Jesus in His shame, we shall be sharers with Him in the lustre which shall surround Him when He appears again in glory. Art thou, beloved one, with Christ Jesus? Does a vital […]

“Jesus said unto them, If ye seek Me, let these go their way.” — John 18:8 Mark, my soul, the care which Jesus manifested even in His hour of trial, towards the sheep of His hand! The ruling passion is strong in death. He resigns Himself to the enemy, but He interposes a word of […]

“The Son of man.” — John 3:13 How constantly our Master used the title, the “Son of man!” If He had chosen, He might always have spoken of Himself as the Son of God, the Everlasting Father, the Wonderful, the Counsellor, the Prince of Peace; but behold the lowliness of Jesus! He prefers to call […]

“Betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss?” — Luke 22:48 The kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Let me be on my guard when the world puts on a loving face, for it will, if possible, betray me as it did my Master, with a kiss. Whenever a man is about to stab […]

“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit.” — Luke 10:21 The Saviour was “a man of sorrows,” but every thoughtful mind has discovered the fact that down deep in His innermost soul He carried an inexhaustible treasury of refined and heavenly joy. Of all the human race, there was never a man who had a […]

“He was heard in that he feared.” — Hebrews 5:7 Did this fear arise from the infernal suggestion that He was utterly forsaken. There may be sterner trials than this, but surely it is one of the worst to be utterly forsaken? “See,” said Satan, “thou hast a friend nowhere! Thy Father hath shut up […]

“I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” — Luke 19:40 But could the stones cry out? Assuredly they could if He who opens the mouth of the dumb should bid them lift up their voice. Certainly if they were to speak, they would have much to […]

“His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” — Luke 22:44 The mental pressure arising from our Lord’s struggle with temptation, so forced his frame to an unnatural excitement, that his pores sent forth great drops of blood which fell down to the ground. This proves how tremendous […]

“Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am.” — John 17:24 O death! why dost thou touch the tree beneath whose spreading branches weariness hath rest? Why dost thou snatch away the excellent of the earth, in whom is all our delight? If thou must use […]

“And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed.” — Matthew 26:39 There are several instructive features in our Saviour’s prayer in His hour of trial. It was lonely prayer. He withdrew even from His three favoured disciples. Believer, be much in solitary prayer, especially in times of trial. Family prayer, […]