March 10

No, every one that thirsteth. — ISAIAH lv. 1.

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. — JOHN vi. 37, 38.

WHEN Jesus said, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out," it was a statement of such breadth that it was difficult for the human mind to receive it. That the most abject, forlorn, far-straying sinner would be received if he came back to Jesus, required that it should be supported by what would overwhelm all the infidelity and depravity of the heart of a sinner who had the slightest desire to return to God. The proofs which he affords are in the statement, first of all, that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Now he adds that the Son also loved the world, and that therefore he had come down from heaven so as to put himself in such a position that man might come to him. To remove every scruple and silence every doubt, he asserts that his coming was under the double motive of love for mankind and devotion to the Father; that what the Father willed he willed, and he came down from heaven to carry out that will; and the Father's will was that he should lose nothing of what had been given him, and the Father had given to him every single human being that would come to him. And so the blessed Jesus gives to mankind the most overwhelming assurance that none should be lost except those who would not come unto him.

If I ask him to receive me Will he say me nay? Not till earth, and not till heaven Pass away.

J. NEALE (Translation)