Morning “The place which is called Calvary.” Luke 23:33
The hill of comfort is the hill of Calvary; the house of consolation is built
with the wood of the cross; the temple of heavenly blessing is founded upon the
riven rock–riven by the spear which pierced his side. No scene in sacred
history ever gladdens the soul like Calvary’s tragedy.
“Is it not strange, the darkest hour
That ever dawned on sinful earth,
Should touch the heart with softer power,
For comfort, than an angel’s mirth?
That to the Cross the mourner’s eye should turn,
Sooner than where the stars of Bethlehem burn?”
Light springs from the midday-midnight of Golgotha, and every herb of the field
blooms sweetly beneath the shadow of the once accursed tree. In that place of
thirst, grace hath dug a fountain which ever gusheth with waters pure as
crystal, each drop capable of alleviating the woes of mankind. You who have had
your seasons of conflict, will confess that it was not at Olivet that you ever
found comfort, not on the hill of Sinai, nor on Tabor; but Gethsemane, Gabbatha,
and Golgotha have been a means of comfort to you. The bitter herbs of Gethsemane
have often taken away the bitters of your life; the scourge of Gabbatha has
often scourged away your cares, and the groans of Calvary have put all
other groans to flight. Thus Calvary yields us comfort rare and rich. We never
should have known Christ’s love in all its heights and depths if he had not
died; nor could we guess the Father’s deep affection if he had not given his Son
to die. The common mercies we enjoy all sing of love, just as the sea-shell,
when we put it to our ears, whispers of the deep sea whence it came; but if we
desire to hear the ocean itself, we must not look at every-day blessings, but at
the transactions of the crucifixion. He who would know love, let him retire to
Calvary and see the Man of sorrows die.
Evening “For there stood by me this night the angel of God.” Acts 27:23
Tempest and long darkness, coupled with imminent risk of shipwreck, had brought
the crew of the vessel into a sad case; one man alone among them remained
perfectly calm, and by his word the rest were reassured. Paul was the only man
who had heart enough to say, “Sirs, be of good cheer.” There were veteran Roman
legionaries on board, and brave old mariners, and yet their poor Jewish prisoner
had more spirit than they all. He had a secret Friend who kept his courage up.
The Lord Jesus despatched a heavenly messenger to whisper words of consolation
in the ear of his faithful servant; therefore he wore a shining countenance, and
spake like a man at ease.
If we fear the Lord, we may look for timely interpositions when our case is at
its worst. Angels are not kept from us by storms, or hindered by darkness.
Seraphs think it no humiliation to visit the poorest of the heavenly family. If
angel’s visits are few and far between at ordinary times, they shall be frequent
in our nights of tempest and tossing. Friends may drop from us when we are under
pressure, but our intercourse with the inhabitants of the angelic world shall be
more abundant; and in the strength of love-words, brought to us from the throne
by the way of Jacob’s ladder, we shall be strong to do exploits. Dear reader, is
this an hour of distress with you? then ask for peculiar
help. Jesus is the angel of the covenant, and if his presence be now earnestly
sought, it will not be denied. What that presence brings in heart-cheer those
remember who, like Paul, have had the angel of God standing by them in a night
of storm, when anchors would no longer hold, and rocks were nigh.
“O angel of my God, be near,
Amid the darkness hush my fear;
Loud roars the wild tempestuous sea,
Thy presence, Lord, shall comfort me.”
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