“I in them.” John 17:23
If such be the union which subsists between our souls and the person of our Lord, how deep and broad is the channel of our communion! This is no narrow pipe through which a thread-like stream may wind its way—it is a channel of amazing depth and breadth, along whose glorious length a ponderous volume of living water may roll its floods.
Behold, he has set before us an open door, let us not be slow to enter. This city of communion has many pearly gates, every several gate is of one pearl, and each gate is thrown open to the uttermost that we may enter, assured of welcome. If there were but one small loophole through which to talk with Jesus, it would be a high privilege to thrust a word of fellowship through the narrow door—how much we are blessed in having so large an entrance!
Had the Lord Jesus been far away from us, with many a stormy sea between, we should have longed to send a messenger to him to carry him our loves, and bring us tidings from his Father’s house. But see his kindness: he has built his house next door to ours—nay, more, he takes lodging with us—and tabernacles in poor humble hearts, that so he may have perpetual fellowship with us.
O how foolish must we be, if we do not live in habitual communion with him. When the road is long, and dangerous, and difficult, we need not wonder that friends seldom meet each other, but when they live together, shall Jonathan forget his David? A wife may when her husband is on a journey, abide many days without holding conversation with him, but she could never endure to be separated from him if she knew him to be in one of the chambers of her own house.
Why, believer, do not you sit at his banquet of wine? Seek your Lord, for he is near. Embrace him, for he is your brother. Hold him fast, for he is your husband. And press him to your heart, for he is of your own flesh.
Adapted from Morning and Evening.
