“We Have Found the Messias”
109
are. Men may combat and defy our logic, they may resist our appeals;
but a life of disinterested love is an argument they cannot gainsay. A
consistent life, characterized by the meekness of Christ, is a power in
the world.
The teaching of Christ was the expression of an inwrought con-
viction and experience, and those who learn of Him become teachers
after the divine order. The word of God, spoken by one who is himself
sanctified through it, has a life-giving power that makes it attractive to
the hearers, and convicts them that it is a living reality. When one has
received the truth in the love of it, he will make this manifest in the
persuasion of his manner and the tones of his voice. He makes known
that which he himself has heard, seen, and handled of the word of life,
that others may have fellowship with him through the knowledge of
Christ. His testimony, from lips touched with a live coal from off the
altar, is truth to the receptive heart, and works sanctification upon the
character.
And he who seeks to give light to others will himself be blessed.
“There shall be showers of blessing.” “He that watereth shall be watered
also himself.”
Proverbs 11:25
. God could have reached His object
in saving sinners without our aid; but in order for us to develop a
character like Christ’s, we must share in His work. In order to enter
into His joy,—the joy of seeing souls redeemed by His sacrifice,—we
must participate in His labors for their redemption.
Nathanael’s first expression of his faith, so full and earnest and
sincere, fell like music on the ears of Jesus. And He “answered and
said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree,
believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.” The Saviour
looked forward with joy to His work in preaching good tidings to the
meek, binding up the brokenhearted, and proclaiming liberty to the
captives of Satan. At thought of the precious blessings He had brought
to men, Jesus added, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall
see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending
upon the Son of man.”
Here Christ virtually says, On the bank of the Jordan the heavens
were opened, and the Spirit descended like a dove upon Me. That
scene was but a token that I am the Son of God. If you believe on Me
as such, your faith shall be quickened. You shall see that the heavens
are opened, and are never to be closed. I have opened them to you.