Jesus and the Stray Sheep.
By John Matteson
"For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke xix, 10. The time of probation is hastening to its end. The days granted to us by our heavenly Father, in which to prepare for the coming kingdom, are none too many. But oh, how many of these days have we spent in serving sin? And after we repented of sin, consider, oh consider, how often and long we have been sleepy and lukewarm Christians. The world, the world, with its cares and sorrows, has found a place in our weak hearts. God's Holy Spirit is grieved and will leave us unless we repent. Evil angels rejoice and draw near, very near to our minds. They breathe darkness and unbelief upon the soul. The good angels take their flight, and yet lingering they weep over us. Oh how willingly would they come to our help. But they cannot as long as we grieve the Spirit of God. Yet the previous work of that Spirit is not altogether forgotten. Conscience is sometimes speaking. The knowledge of right and wrong is not all lost. A longing after Jesus is still concealed in the darkened heart like a spark under the ashes. But the world looks fair and desirable now and then. Its news and employments are of the greatest importance, and with what is left we serve God. The necessities of life are first attended to; the kingdom of God next. We must please our flesh, our friends, our neighbors, and after that the Lord. We must love our children, wife, father, mother, and Jesus next. We take thought for eating, drinking, clothing, and conveniences, and then for eternal life. We can get time to work and sleep, eat and drink, laugh and chat about news, and after that little or no time to pray, read the Bible, and meditate upon the infinite love of our God and Saviour. O world! Thou art fair outside, but inside full of rottenness and dead men's bones. Thy paths lead to the gates of hell, and thy ways to destruction and perdition. Thy love is warm for a little while, but the cold ice of death lies beneath it. Thou sayest, drink of my golden cup, you need only drink a little. My wine is delicious, a little will not intoxicate, do not despise me altogether. O thou cunning serpent! Satan is thy prince. A little drink of thy wine has cooled my love to Jesus. Thy love has made me lukewarm. Then must I be spewed out of Jesus' mouth. Thou didst deceive me. Get thee behind me Satan! Deceive me no more. My eyes have been blinded. I trusted in past experience and past love. Thou hast darkened my mind; I did not know my own heart. My pride, anger, vanity, trifling conversation, covetousness, poverty and nakedness, have been hid from my eyes. My heart has been separated from Jesus. Jesus. "Dear soul, turn, turn. Thou art poor and blind and naked. Come unto me, I will make thee rich, and cover thy nakedness with white raiment. My arms are open to receive thee. I am still in the heavenly sanctuary to make atonement for the sins of the people." Oh what voice do I hear? Methinks I have heard that voice before. Yes, I know, 'tis the voice of the Good Shepherd. But what does he say? Am I poor and blind and naked? This wounds my pride, disturbs my peace, and pains my heart. Yet, no doubt he speaks the truth. He is the truth. He cannot lie. Conscience awakens. My heart beats quick. My eyes are filling with tears. God's Holy Spirit speaks.111 I have grieved that Spirit. How deeply has not Jesus loved me! I remember just now his kind and sympathizing words. His groans and agony come to my mind. I see the thorns of that crown sink deep into his holy head. The blood streams from his scourged back. His hands and feet are pierced through. His eyes are closing in death. His side is opened. Behold the blood, the blood! See that fountain bursting from the rock of ages, smitten by the rod of stern justice. My heart is moved. Tears flow fast from my dimmed eyes, bitter tears of repentance. I can see nothing but that flood, streaming from the open side of Jesus. Oh what a river of salvation. Wide and deep like a sea of mercy. Heavenly riches are found there. Here is the key to the door of Paradise, to all the treasures of the storehouse of God. Oh the depth of the riches of the love, both of the Father and the Son! This is living water, which if a man drink he shall never thirst again, but it will be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. I thirst, I want to drink. Then my eye is turned toward myself. Woe unto me! how black am I! how sinful, unworthy, unthankful, miserable, naked! I wonder if Christ can save such an one. I doubt. I must first better myself some. I must overcome my evil habits. I must cleanse myself, and then he will receive me. Others can come, but my sin is too grievous, of too black a hue. My unfaithfulness has gone too far. Jesus. "My little lamb, hear the last voice of mercy. Without me you can do nothing. I am come to save and to gather the lost and the scattered sheep. Believe my word. Trust my power to save. Come to my heart. Be cleansed and purified in my blood. Reach hither thy hand; be not faithless, but believing." Again hope is awakened in my heart. Again my eye of faith is fixed upon the fountain of salvation. Trembling, thirsty, I venture. I drink, I plunge beneath the living waters. Satan is raging. The world holds up its allurements. Scoffers laugh. The old man uses his last strength to prevent my salvation; but I am wrestling with Jesus. I cannot, I will not let him go. I hear not the voice of my persecutors. I see not the glittering baubles of riches and honor; but I hear the sweet voice of Jesus whisper in my heart, Thou art mine and I am thine. Thou wast lost, but art found. I see his friendly countenance smiling to me. His eyes rest upon me. Oh those lovely eyes, they kindle a flame of love in my heart. I hear angels sing praise to his name. The arms of Jesus have surrounded me. I rest as a little lamb in his bosom. The kiss of his love dries my tears and fills my soul with a heavenly calm. Again I look to myself; I think of the power of sin. And I am so weak, I fear and tremble. I have so often been unfaithful. I know the power of evil habits, stronger than heaviest chains of iron. We are living in perilous times. The world is full of snares and temptations. Grievous wolves are staring me in the face from all around. Oh I am so fearful. Dear Jesus where art thou? I cannot see thee. Jesus: "Dear child, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. Lo, I am with thee alway, even unto the end of the world." Oh then I will never leave thee. Then we shall walk together, and live together, thou in me and I in thee. We shall be one. And soon, very soon I shall behold my Saviour coming in the clouds of heaven with great glory. Then shall his strong arm bring salvation to this poor weak child, and lead me to the glorious mansions in the Father's house.