January 26

"It is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his Lord."—Matthew 10:25.

THEY said of the Master that He was a gluttonous man and a winebibber. His willingness to meet with all, to eat and drink with publicans and sinners, they turned into a bitter taunt and a sinister reproach. Shall I not be proud to be branded with a like suspicion, and to be found among those who need me most?

They said of the Master that He was a Samaritan. His passion and compassion for poor dying sinners of every nation and people and tribe and tongue, His desire to bless and save them, they used as an instrument to slander and defame Him. Shall I not wear gladly every sorrowful badge with which such love as His adorns my brow?

They said of the Master that He blasphemed. His words of grace and truth, His messages from heaven, His kingly commands and kindly invitations and precious promises, they pronounced profanity and unholy boldness and sacrilege. Shall I not crave and covet the reproach which comes to him who preaches good tidings and publishes salvation?

They said of the Master that He cast out devils by the prince of the devils. His miracles of might and mercy, His deliverance of the captives from the thraldom of Satan, they traced to hell and not to heaven. Shall I not rejoice when the powers of the better world flow from me manifestly and victoriously, and when they stir the hostility of the world?

I need not wonder if I suffer in His service. I am never so blessed as when I am a partaker in His sorrows.