Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: January 21st

Let us go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.- Hebrews 13:13.

The profession of Jesus is easy to nature. There is nothing irksome to the flesh in being called a Christian. But to know Jesus in heart, to confess him with the tongue, and to follow him in our life, will ever expose us to reproach and contempt. But if, with Philip, we have really found that blessed HIM of whom Moses and the prophets wrote, we must, we shall speak of him to others. We shall esteem Jesus our beloved as our richest treasure. Our hearts and affections will be going out after him. Moses’ choice will be ours: "We shall esteem the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt." But fleshly wisdom is contrary to all this. That ever prompts, ’Save thyself-take care of thy good name-fear, lest that be cast out as evil-beware of thy character-go not too far, thou wilt sustain damage. In the camp of this world, riches, pleasures, and honors are enjoyed. Study the happy mean. Thou mayest hold with the world, and yet not quit Jesus.’ Nay, but thou canst not love and serve two such contrary masters: thou wilt soon grow tired of one or the other. The inward glory and peace of Jesus will not, cannot be enjoyed but while the heart and affections are placed on him. The faith of Jesus is contrary to the world, it cannot be reconciled to its vain customs and sinful maxims. Nay, faith is the victory that overcometh the world. The world is an enemy’s camp. A despised Nazarene is the Christian’s glory. To bear his reproach is our highest honor.

The heaven-born soul, though like a captive imprisoned in flesh, yet hath free access to Jesus by faith. So it endures present reproaches, seeing him that is invisible. And do we hope for future sight, and eternal fruition of him who endured the cross and despised the shame for us? Let us take and bear his cross; despised disciples let us be. Look down on the world with contempt. Look up to Christ with joy. Go forth to meet him in love, O soul. Remember, ever bear on thy mind, Jesus went forth cheerfully to meet all his conflicts and agonies for us. It is but a little while ere we shall go forth from the body "to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we be ever with the Lord."- 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

When I can read my title clear

To mansions in the skies,

I bid farewell to ev’ry fear.

And wipe my weeping eyes.

Should earth against my soul engage,

And hellish darts be hurl’d,

Then can I smile at Satin’s rage,

And face a frowning world.

Is not this the carpenter’s son? Matthew 13:55.

“ Such indignity I cannot bear; such insult is intolerable.” Ah! who? What art thou who speakest thus? Thou sinful dust- thou proud worm of earth, look unto Jesus! See the King of kings; the Son of God, in the form of a mean man, the son of a carpenter!-yea more, himself a carpenter, the Son of Mary! (Mark 6:3.) Mark his condescension; learn humility. Behold his treatment and contempt; learn patience and submission. Astonishing mystery! Let reason bow and faith adore. Sinners, behold with joy and wonder, thy God in flesh. Born under that curse for sin, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,” (; Genesis 3:19.) he works at a common trade, and follows an ordinary occupation. O! ye great and mighty, who are above trade, and despise those who follow it, saved ye must be by this carpenter’s son, or perish everlastingly! He is the one and only object of hope and salvation. “He is God and man in one Christ. One, not by conversion of the godhead into flesh, but by taking the manhood into God.” Well might Isaiah style him wonderful, chap. 9:6. He is so, both as God and as man: and as God and man in one Christ; wonderful in love, sufferings, and power, to save sinners. Wonderful in his humility; for he made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a servant. The Jews were “astonished at him, and said, whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?” Yet they were offended in him, because of the meanness of his birth, parentage, and education. Exceedingly foolish! So is judging of Christ by sight and sense. But he says, “Blessed is he who shall not be offended in me.” (Matthew 6:6.) It is the blessed nature and peculiar office of faith, to pierce through the mean appearance of the humanity, and to see the godhead of Christ. Here is the sure evidence of vocation. “Though Christ is to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness; yet to them who are called, Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (; 1 Corinthians 1:24.) Now do you see the salvation finished by the power, and according to the wisdom of God, by this carpenter’s son? Mean and contemptible as he appeared in the eyes of others, do you see such matchless beauty, such divine glory shine in his person and works, as to say, “My Lord and my God?” O! beware of looking on this as a common call. Know, it is of special, peculiar, distinguishing grace: give glory to the Holy Spirit for it. Rejoice at the meanness of thy Lord; love him for it: all was for thy salvation. Rejoice in him: though to the eye of sense, mean and contemptible, yet he is “able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by him.” (Hebrews 7:25.)