March 4

Healing . . . all manner of disease. — MATT. iv. 23.

Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. — JOHN v. 8.

DIVINE authority and divine love are beautifully mingled in this short, simple command. Jesus, the friend of the friendless, addressed it to a wretched sufferer beside the pool of Bethesda, who had long waited in vain for some one to help him into the healing waters. The reader of this paragraph may be a sin-diseased lingerer who is wasting life in waiting for — you can hardly tell what or whom. Why waste another moment? Jesus stands beside you. He bids you repent, trust him, and follow him. As soon as you are willing to obey, he gives you strength to obey. That poor cripple had only two weak and withered limbs to "rise" with, but the instant that his will obeys Christ, a divine power shoots through nerves and muscles, and he stands erect. He wanted to arise, made the honest effort, and divine strength did the rest. His part in the blessed transaction was faith; Christ's part was saving grace. The two combined make the biography of every converted sinner on earth or in heaven. The first act you perform, the first sin you refuse, and the first effort you make simply to please your Saviour, puts you on your feet. Thenceforward the Christian life is a walking with Christ and a working for Christ until you reach the Father's house in glory.

Theo. L. Leuys

Thy work alone, O Christ. Can ease this weight of sin: Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, Can give me peace within.

H BONAR.