Reading: “Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.”—John 13:1
Sweet thought to cherish: Jesus is the same, and His love the same; amidst all our changes, He abides faithful. His love, and not our merit, is the first cause of salvation; and that same love, and not our undeserving, is the final cause whereby we are kept. But mark in this blessed scripture, how many sweet and lovely things are said. Jesus has a people, and that people are in the world, and that people are His own.
But had He not a people in the other world? Yes, by creation all are His. But by redemption He had none, until He had redeemed them from this present evil world. And observe how very graciously they are spoken of. They are His own, His peculiar people, His treasure, His Segullah (possession), His jewels. And how dearly does He prize them! They were first given to Him by His Father and that made them dear. They are the purchase of His blood and this made them dear also. He has conquered them by His grace and this endears them to Himself as His own. And though they are in this world, too much engaged in the affairs of the world, and too much in love with the world, yet Jesus’ love is not abated—they are still dear to Jesus, though He hates their sins.
The same love which prompted His infinite mind to stand up for their redemption, the same love is going forth unceasingly, and without change or lessening, to accomplish and render effectual that redemption. Precious Lord Jesus! Oh for grace to love You, who has so loved us! And while You condescend to call such poor sinful worms Your own possession, and to love them as that, and consider every thing done for them and done to them as to Yourself; shall not a portion of such love be communicated to my poor heart, that I may love You as my own and only Saviour, and learn to love You to the end, as You have loved me and given Yourself for me, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour?
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