July 24

“Coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens opened.”

—Mark 1:10.

As He came up out of the water, Jesus saw the heavens opened.

It was the reward of His sacrifice. He had parted with very much. He had left the quiet home in Nazareth, and the fields He knew so well, and the mother-love which had brooded and planned and toiled for Him all His earthly life. But in His hour of surrender God draws closer to Him, and enriches Him with His strong consolations. And I—if I part with all for His sake, shall I not win much more than I lose?

It was the preparation for His work. Such a heavy task lay before Him, and such a stupendous enterprise. To magnify the Father’s law and make it honourable. To seek and save that which is lost. To die for the world’s redemption. But, when He feels His weakness, He is endowed, marvellously, immeasurably, with the Holy Ghost. And I—if I yield myself to God’s service, shall I not have the divine baptism and unction which I need?

It was the prophecy of His triumph. The heavens were opened, to tell Him what He should accomplish when His labour was ended, His sorrow vanquished, His Jordan passed. For, indeed, He was to throw wide the gates of the City of God to a great multitude which cannot be numbered. And I—if I lay myself in God’s hands to do His will, shall I not come home in the harvest, bringing my sheaves with me?

Thus the Father blessed that dear Son of His who was consecrating Himself to His business. Thus He waits to bless me, if He finds in me a similar consecration.