the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
John Gossner's Treasury
MORNING
And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. Luke 2:12-16. Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6.
God of mercy! God’s Son a babe in swaddling clothes! And lying in a manger! "God be merciful! " the shepherds thought when they saw the child. This was the sign by which they were to know the Son of God, the Messiah. In all likelihood, none of the sign interpreters in Israel thought of this sign. But the poor shepherds knew it now, because the Lord had told it to them at the proper time. Only be true and faithful to the Lord, and He shall give you the sign. Do not cudgel your brain; do not break your heart, but prepare a habitation for the Child, a manger and swaddling-clothes. The sign shall come to you and you shall understand. It is easy for me to believe that the whole world cannot submit to the ways of God, to a Savior who is offered to them in swaddling-clothes. He pursues such courses as are offensive and intolerable to all the world. Whosoever will submit to Him must turn his back upon the world, its mind and its manners. If not, he will be offended every moment with God and Jesus. Come, my beloved, we will not heed the world; let it pass. Go with me to the manger, and do not become offended with the poor swaddle, the manger, the stable. Look at the Child lying therein. What would a house of gold profit you if it were occupied by bats and vultures? Do not dress and decorate yourself as is customary with the world.
Do not conform yourself to the fashions and usages of the world, but to the will of God, so that you become pure and little, poor and humble. Then God will lay His Son in your heart; then you have all you need.
To Thee, then, O Jesus, this day of Thy birth.
True Godhead incarnate, omnipotent Word!
O come, let us hasten to worship the Lord!
EVENING
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it and was glad. John 8:56. This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. Jeremiah 33:15. Yea, and all the prophets have likewise foretold of these days. Acts 3:24.
How long a time before the incarnation of the Son of God "Abraham rejoiced"! Should not we rejoice, who know the event after it has come to pass, and who can perceive its blessings in our own hearts? How intent the old covenant saints were upon this event! How they lifted up their heads and looked forward to this day, wondering if it were not soon to come! And yet so many Christians, for whom the day comes, do not rejoice in it! Nevertheless, he who partakes of that which the Lord’s birth has brought him, can not but rejoice. The ’Branch" of righteousness, the coming of which Isaiah proclaims, has grown up. The tree stands there, the Tree of life, into which we may all be grafted, become righteous and blessed and grow to divine greatness. The King is here who executes judgment and righteousness to all who submit to Him, voluntarily become His subjects, and surrender themselves wholly to Him. He does not compel any one to enter into His kingdom. He calls us graciously, and gives us the most precious promises; but the Lord mourns over him who will not suffer himself to be drawn to Him, and bears with him as long as possible. Oh, what a divine King! Do you know the day when He was born to you and became your King?
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.
