‘Being in anguish’ (Luke 22:44)

Dear friends, let us visit Gethsemane this morning and see this strange sight. Here is our surety; the only-begotten Son of God; the brightness of God’s glory, and the express image of His person; groaning on the cold ground and baptised in blood. His heart is filled with horror and His mind with dread; His soul is troubled, tossed with tempests, with no comfort; He is exceedingly sorrowful, even to the point of death.

The sorrows of death encompass Him, and the pains of hell have hold of Him. Like wax, his heart is melted in the midst of His bowels. His whole nature is convulsed and He sweats blood. He cries aloud, with an exceedingly bitter cry and His heart fails Him.

No human hand touched Jesus; it is the hour and the power of darkness. Our sins meet upon Him; His soul is made an offering for our sins; and it has pleased Jehovah to bruise His Son. Was ever sorrow like His sorrow? HE IS IN AGONY AND ANGUISH. Here our sins are punished, our iniquities are corrected, and our justification is procured. Oh, to love Jesus even to a degree of agony.

Go to Gethsemane,
Ye that feel the tempter’s power;
Your Redeemer’s conflict see,
Watch with Him one bitter hour:
Turn not from His griefs away –
Learn of Jesus Christ to pray.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘Help me to look to thee for all I want, and believing that as a covenant God thou wilt grant it, I confidently expect to receive it. Give me grace to commit all to thee, and leave all cares with thee. Keep down the pride of my nature, and the numerous corruptions of my heart, and grant me grace that I may show more than ever whose servant I am, and for what I am employed.’