April 11

His own received him not.—JOHN i. 11.

And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.—JOHN v. 40.

AN undertone of tender pity and yearning love pervades these words. While in them our Lord fixes upon the unbelieving Jews the responsibility for their own spiritual ruin, he still speaks with the same sad regret as when he uttered his lament over Jerusalem.

In setting forth one purpose of his incarnation, Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life" (John x. 10). But those who would have life must come to him and receive from him the gift unspeakable which he is always ready to bestow. It is never forced upon unwilling recipients.

We wonder that any refused the loving invitations of our incarnate Saviour; that any could resist the pleadings of him whose voice hushed the storm-wind and calmed the angry billows and woke the dead to life. But how many now, with unwilling heart, turn away from the call of his love, and resist the Holy Spirit whom he hath sent! The intellect is convinced; the feelings are stirred; but the will remains obdurate. Men remain at a distance from Christ because they are not willing to come unto him. Are you among those of whom he is saying: "Ye are not willing to come to me, that ye might have life"?

William X. Clark.

And when the sinner chooses wrath, God mourns his hapless lot; Deep breathing from his heart of love, "I would, but ye would not."

ALEXANDER.