November 27

PART VI.—John 3:2.

CONSIDERING Jesus as a Divine teacher, we should cultivate the greatest reverence for his person. However he may condescend to us, yet never let us be guilty of assuming an unbecoming familiarity towards him. The meek and lovely Jesus is worshipped and feared, with profoundest humility, by all the myriads of intelligencies who dwell before his throne. We should also receive his instructions with grateful affection. We cannot slight him more than by neglecting to avail ourselves of the lessons he imparts. Indifference pours contempt upon him. Affectionate attention will render us acceptable to him, and well pleasing in his sight. He invites us to learn of him; how gratefully should we obey this gracious direction. As our teacher we should listen to him with unabating constancy.

We need to be learning his will daily. Our situation should ever be at his feet. From him we should derive all our spiritual knowledge. He only is our Master: — however gifted and exalted some of our fellows may be, we are not to call them Rabbi, for "one is our Master, even Christ." We should also remember, that Christ's instructions are all binding and authoritative, we cannot refuse any of his truths, without incurring his displeasure. We must therefore receive the whole truth as it is in Jesus. And we must buy it and sell it not. And the great end of all is, that we may embody Christ's instructions in our lives. We must learn that we may practice. If we know these things, happy are we if we do them. We are not to be forgetful hearers, but doers of the word, and then we shall be blessed in our deed. Let us recommend this Divine and heavenly teacher to our ignorant fellow men. Let us extol his perfections, speak of his condescension and grace, and urge men to come unto him, that they may receive the word of eternal life. Blessed are they who dwell in his house, for they will be still praising him.