The joy of Christ over the penitent.
I. THE THANKSGIVING.
1. The Father's care for the lowly minded.
2. The Father's love for the Son. The Lord Jesus seemed a man among men. He was rejected and despised. But, in truth, he was the almighty Son of God. All things had been given into his hand; all power was his. None knew him fully, in all the mystery and glory of his Divine personality, save only God the Father. Nor can any know the Father fully, save the Son. But the Lord adds at once the gracious words, "and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him." "No man hath seen God at any time;" he is invisible, he dwelleth in the unapproachable light which no human eye can penetrate; but the only begotten Son hath declared him. He reveals to his chosen all that we need to know, all that man can know, of God and of his relations with mankind. Then the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved us and died for us, is one in the mystery of his being with the adorable Father. Here is our hope and joy. As Man, he is touched with the feeling of our infirmities; as God, he is able to save us to the uttermost.
II. THE GRACIOUS INVITATION.
1. He invites all. He had said that no man could know the Father unless the Son willeth to reveal him. But God willeth that all men should be saved. Christ Jesus gave himself a Ransom for all; now he invites all. He knew that not all would come; not all felt the need of a Saviour; therefore he addresses those that labour and are heavy laden. There is much toil in this life of ours—endless, unsatisfactory toil; the poor toil hard for their daily bread; the rich toil in the life of ambition or literature, or in the pursuit of pleasure. That toil will only end in weariness. "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity." Many, too, are heavy laden, some with the cares of this life, some with pain and sickness, some with the consciousness of sin. All such the gracious Saviour calls.
2. He bids them come to himself. There is need of effort in the spiritual life. Men must not lie still, listless, lukewarm, indifferent. They must come. Coming implies spiritual effort; there must be thought, meditation, earnest prayer, a diligent use of all the appointed means of grace. We must rouse up our souls. The prodigal son would never have recovered his lost home if he had remained in the far country. He said," I will arise, and go." And we must come to Christ. He himself the Centre of his religion. It is not a philosophy, or a code of morals, or a theology, that is to save our souls; it is a Person—the Lord Jesus Christ himself. He can give rest to the weary; he can refresh the toiling, anxious soul; he can give peace to the mind distracted by bewildering doubts. None could dare say this but only God. Put the words into the mouth of St. Paul or St. John, or any the very greatest of saints; for them to say such things would be arrogant, presumptuous in the extremest degree. But from the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ those great words were only the simple truth, words of tenderness and lowliness. The very fact that he stood there in human form, that he uttered those words in human language, that he had submitted to contradiction and rejection, proved his lowliness, his condescension. It would be far otherwise were he not, what we know that he was, the Almighty God.
3. His yoke and his burden. But these who would come to him must take up his yoke and his burden. And his yoke is obedience, and his burden is the cross. The yoke seems irksome at first; but we must learn of him. He himself learned obedience by the things which he suffered. And he is meek and lowly in heart. He will teach by his example, by the voice of his Spirit speaking in the soul, all who come to him. He will teach them ever deeper lessons of the calm peace of submission of will, the sweetness of holy obedience. The cross seems at first a heavy burden, sharp and hard to bear. But the Lord Jesus, who himself bore the cross for us in his blessed love, helps his suffering people. He bears the cross for them; he lifts it on their shoulders; he supports it by his strength; and in time the heavy burden comes to be light, according to his gracious promise. He bids us take up our cross daily; only thus can we follow him. He goeth before his people, leading the way to the everlasting rest. Those who follow him shall find rest; rest even here—the restfulness of trusting faith; and at the last, rest in the Paradise of God, where the holy dead rest from their labours; where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.
LESSONS.
1. The Lord rejoiced in the salvation of souls; so shall we, if we are truly his.
2. Let us come to Christ as little children; to such he revealeth the deep truths of religion.
3. He invites all to come to him. Let us come. None can give rest, but only he.
4. Let us take up the cross. We must, if we would follow him. Men would separate the cross from the crown; the thing is impossible. God hath joined them together; they cannot be put asunder.
HOMILIES BY W.F. ADENEY