The great general, Sir William Napier, once met a little girl in a country lane sobbing over a broken bowl. She had dropped it after taking her father's dinner, and expected to be beaten for her carelessness. Suddenly a gleam of hope seemed to cheer her. "You can mend it, sir," she said, "can't you?" Sir William explained that he could not mend it, but could give her sixpence to buy another. It chanced, however, that he had no money with him, so he promised to meet her at the same time and place the next day with a sixpence. On his return home, he found an invitation to dinner the next day to meet someone whom he specially wished to see. What was he to do? He could not do both; but the child had trusted him. He must do his duty to the poor before thinking of his own pleasure. So he declined the invitation and helped, as he had promised, Christ's little one.
April 23rd.—Jesus the Way, Truth, and Life.
To read—St. John xiv. 1-14. Golden Text—Ver. 6.
Discourse with disciples at Last Supper continued. Peter, boasting of his steadfastness, been warned of his coming fall, that very night (xiii. 38), but comforted by thought of heaven to all who come to God by Him for pardon.
I. The Many Mansions. What they are? Abiding places (Greek). This world passes away—heaven endures. They are many in number—room for all. Also prepared by Christ for all who believe in Him. Christ by His death opened heaven to man, and waits there to receive His people.
II. The Way to Heaven (4-7). Christ the Way. Came to reveal this. None else could make atonement. God's holy Son alone could, by dying for sin, open way to heaven for sinners. He alone lifted up, gives eternal life (iii. 14, 15).
Christ the Truth. Yet charged that night with blasphemy, worst of all falsehoods, making Himself God (xix. 7). Yet was the perfect truth. Exposed hypocrisy of chief priests, hollowness of Scribes and Pharisees (St. Luke xi. 39, 44). Taught the spirit of the commandments in Sermon on Mount (St. Matt. v. 21, 22, 28, 39, etc.). Acted truth in His own perfect life. Taught God's truth to men.
Christ the Life, though put to death day following. Author of life; the world made by Him. Gave natural life once more to three dead persons. Gave spiritual life to Nicodemus, who became disciple; Samaritan who accepted His teaching (iv. 42). Raised Himself from the dead, and gives eternal life to as many as believe.
Lesson. He that believeth in Me shall not die.
III. The Father Revealed (8-14). Cannot be seen by mortal eye (i. 18), but is seen in person of His Son. Christ reveals the person of the Father full of love and pity to those in need; full of anger against hypocrites, liars, etc. (viii. 44). Christ also reveals works of God, miracles of mercy. Same, and even greater, power of working miracles promised to His disciples after His departure. Also answers to prayer made to the Father in His name.