BELOVED, let us visit Gethsemane this morning, and see this strange sight. Here is our SURETY, the only-begotten Son of God; the brightness of Jehovah's glory, and the express image of His person; groaning on the cold ground, and baptized in blood. He is sore amazed. His heart is filled with horror, and His mind with dread. His soul is troubled, tossed with tempests and not comforted. He is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. The sorrows of death encompass Him, and the pains of hell have gotten hold upon Him. His heart like wax is melted in the midst of His bowels. His whole nature is convulsed. He sweats blood. He cries aloud, with an exceeding bitter cry, and His heart faileth Him. No human hand toucheth Him; but it is the hour and power of darkness. Our sins meet upon Him; His soul is made an offering for our sins; and it hath pleased Jehovah to bruise Him. Was ever sorrow like unto His sorrow? HE IS IN AN AGONY. Here our sins are punished, our iniquities are expiated, and our justification is procured. Oh, to love Jesus, even to an agony!
Go to dark 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.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
BELOVED, let us visit Gethsemane this morning, and see this strange sight. Here is our SURETY, the only-begotten Son of God; the brightness of Jehovah's glory, and the express image of His person; groaning on the cold ground, and baptized in blood. He is sore amazed. His heart is filled with horror, and His mind with dread. His soul is troubled, tossed with tempests and not comforted. He is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. The sorrows of death encompass Him, and the pains of hell have gotten hold upon Him. His heart like wax is melted in the midst of His bowels. His whole nature is convulsed. He sweats blood. He cries aloud, with an exceeding bitter cry, and His heart faileth Him. No human hand toucheth Him; but it is the hour and power of darkness. Our sins meet upon Him; His soul is made an offering for our sins; and it hath pleased Jehovah to bruise Him. Was ever sorrow like unto His sorrow? HE IS IN AN AGONY. Here our sins are punished, our iniquities are expiated, and our justification is procured. Oh, to love Jesus, even to an agony!
Go to dark 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.