John 13:1-19 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world to the Father… Who teaches like Christ? By His Spirit He pours light into the soul, applies His word to the conscience, and draws the heart gently, yet powerfully, to faith, love, and holy obedience. Five minutes' instruction in Christ's school is worth more than ten thousand sermons. We have seen a child make a drawing from a picture set before him; and as the work grows under his pencil, he is delighted with his own performance, and does not perceive its many defects. The master looks at the work, and surprises the pupil by pointing out deficiencies hitherto unsuspected; he then takes the pencil into his hand, and by a bold touch here, and a stroke there, he produces a new effect; so that the pupil is at once astonished and humbled. Thus a touch or so from the Spirit of Jesus in the heart is more effectual than all the wisdom of the schools, and all the learning of the ancients. Let us inquire, Have we so learned Christ? Devout Mr. Herbert, when He mentioned the name of Christ, used to add, "my Master"; and thus expresses himself concerning it in one of his poems: "How sweetly doth 'my Master' sound, 'my Master!' As ambergris leaves a rich scent unto the taster, so do these words a sweet content, an oriental fragrancy; 'my Master.'" (J. M. Randall.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. |
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