Archives for March 31, 2019

Devotion

1I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Come unto me and rest;
lay down, O weary one, lay down
your head upon my breast."
I came to Jesus as I was,
so weary, worn, and sad;
I found in him a resting-place,
and he has made me glad.

2I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Behold, I freely give
the living water, thirsty one;
stoop down and drink and live."
I came to Jesus, and I drank
of that life-giving stream;
my thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
and now I live in him.

3I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"I am this dark world's light;
look unto me, your morn shall rise,
and all your day be bright."
I looked to Jesus, and I found
in him my star, my sun;
and in that light of life I'll walk
till trav'ling days are done.

Text: Horatius Bonar, 1808-89 (Public Domain)

Verse 3 of this hymn presents another beautiful reference to Scripture, this time to John 1:1-5: "In the beginning was the Word. ... What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."

Christ has been with us since the beginning of time. When Joshua led the Israelites into the promised land, Christ was there. When psalmists sang their joys and laments, Christ was there. When it was time for Christ to come into our world and live among us, he did just that. And after his death and resurrection, when evangelists started spreading the gospel from nation to nation, Christ was there.

Anytime someone wanders into forgiveness, it is with and toward and because of Christ. I'm reminded of words from Holden Evening Prayer. I invite you to reflect on them as you walk in Christ’s light.