January 22

We that hath the Son hath life. — I JOHN v. 12.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. — JOHN vi. 53. 54.

THIS statement, so absolute, so authoritative, and so solemnly reiterated, was a fan with which the Saviour purged his floor. Many were so scandalized by it that from that hour they forsook him. So is it always. To declare in any age that for us sons of men there is no remission of sins, and no entrance into everlasting life apart from the death of the Son of man, is to rouse the repugnance of the natural heart. From the days of Cain, God's way of life by means of death has been an offence to many. Many also, like Abel, have by faith fed on the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, and found his flesh meat indeed and his blood drink indeed. Thus they received and nourished eternal life, and lived in hope of the resurrection of the just.

How can I share this life, and attain to this resurrection? By no mastication of material elements, but by personal trust in an ascended Saviour. Jesus' words, being spirit and life, impart life wherever received. Hence his deepest complaint is, "There are some of you that believe not." He has the words of everlasting life. Here he speaks them. You may accept them! You may reject them! You cannot alter them!

C. B. Mackay

Extol the Lamb of God,

The all-ationing Lamb;

Redemption in his blood

Throughout the world proclaim!

C. WESLEY