1. Love in Its Devotedness Even to Death

WITH the twelfth chapter of the Gospel by John before us, we can but feel that to a spectator on the highway to Jerusalem everything outwardly betokened the brightest moment in the Lord's history. Hosannas filled the air; the multitude owned Him; the world had gone after Him. The Greeks also, representatives of the Gentile nations, desired to see Him: "Sir, we would see Jesus." Everyone seemed ready to welcome His entrance in the glory of the kingdom to His rightful honors as David's Son on David's throne. Even His enemies owned that they prevailed nothing.
The desire of the Gentiles thus expressed—"Sir, we would see Jesus," brings out a hidden purpose that had long occupied His heart, filled His bosom, and was now about to be announced. Jesus turns from the rays of brightness and glory which shone around His pathway, and contemplates the sufferings of Calvary; and as He gazes into the depths of the cold, silent grave we hear Him say, "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone.”
He had no desire to abide alone! A company united to Him on the new ground of resurrection engages His thoughts; but knowing that before He could associate that company with Himself, He must first enter the cold, silent grave, He says, "But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
He had counted the cost. Devoted in His love, He became obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. He knew that our eternal blessings and the Father's will could be accomplished only through the baptism of death, and the setting aside, for the moment, of His rights to the kingdom which, as David's Son, is His— so He shrank not from the cross.
Gaze upon Jesus, contemplating His sufferings; adore and worship, as you behold Him who loved not His life even unto death! Let us raise the glad note, beloved, and celebrate the praises of Him of whom each believer can say, "He loved me, and gave Himself for me.”