Jesus Christ Himself

“JESUS CHRIST
HIMSELF.”

“Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father,
which hath loved us.”- 2 Thessalonians 2:16.

” OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF.” Oh, the Divine mystery of wondrous love and pity enwrapped in these few words! ” The precious things of Heaven,” “the chief things of the ancient mountains,” and “the precious things of the lasting hills,” are surely all gathered together here ; and, with a deep and unutterable longing, my soul desires to search and find them.

That ” Name which is above every name ” is sung by angels as their sweetest song ; but the tender earthly cadence which my heart hears in that emphatic word- “Himself” – intensifies its melody to me. Never before did a personal pronoun bear such significance, or convey to the heart so dear an assurance of perfect sympathy and love. We say sometimes of choice possessions that they are our “very own;” and when we speak of Thee, dear Master, as “Jesus Christ Himself,” there is an added fragrance in the ” ointment poured forth,” a personal realization of what Thou art to us in Thy Divine Manhood, which draws us “with cords of a man, with bands of love.” It brings Thee so close to me as my Savior, it seems to reveal Thee as the One who can “be touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” and who sympathizes in all our sorrows because Thou wast “found in fashion as a man.” “Jesus Christ HIMSELF.” I say it over and over again till my soul is filled with its sweetness, and my heart is satisfied with the peace of believing that this Blessed One is mine, and that He loves even me.

“And God, even our Father.” Lord, help me to realize all that this wonderful relationship means to me! As Thy child, I may claim all that Thou hast promised to give; and if I am living and acting as Thy child — dwelling with Thee, loving Thee, and obeying Thee, I shall assuredly find that Thy Father-love is ready to grant every reasonable desire of my heart. Dear Lord, when I see, as I often do, some earthly fathers, whose love for their little ones is intense, forbearing, and unspeakably tender, I feel ashamed that I do not better understand the love of Thine heart toward me, Thy child through faith in Christ Jesus ! Dost Thou ask, “How much more?” I cannot work out such a sum, Lord; but I know the love must be infinitely greater, closer, and dearer, because Thou art the infinite God, and Thy love is “from everlasting.” Oh, that I may have the spirit of a child when I draw near to Thee !

What little one is afraid to run to a loving father, and ask for all it wants? Never a doubt rises in a child’s mind as to the supply of all his needs, and the direction of all that concerns him. The child has positively no care for the present, no thought for the morrow, no fears for the past. Father knows everything. Father can do everything. Father provides everything. In fact, father loves.

“Which hath loved us.” O my soul, canst thou for a moment imagine what it would be of bliss, and rest, and peace, to live out day by day such a child-life in the love of the Father? He knows thee altogether understands all thy individual peculiarities, sees thy weakness and sinfulness, thy sore temptations, perplexities, and daily shortcomings; but He loves thee notwithstanding all, not for any merit or worthiness in thee, but because thou art His child. Thou hast believed on His dear Son, whom He gave to die for thy sins; thou hast accepted His complete salvation, thou hast received the Spirit of adoption, and now, with confidence and perfect trust, thou canst lookup to Him, and say, “Abba, Father.” And does not this suffice to make thee absolutely “without carefulness,” like a little child? My Father, teach me to realize how deep, and strong, and pitiful is the love of Thine heart to me, since it led Thee to give Thine only-begotten Son — Jesus Christ Himself, to redeem me, and bring me home to Thee, my God !