with us ; not indeed by his bodily presence, but by that which is infinitely more important, his spiritual presence with our souls: " I will come unto you," says he, " and sup with you, and you with me." Nor was this the privilege only of his own imme- diate Disciples, but of all who shall believe in him through their word : " Lo," says he, " I am with you alway, even to the end of the world."]
Reflections —
1. How earnestly should we desire communion with Christ!
[Did he forget all his approaching sufferings, that he might instruct and comfort his Disciples? O how should we rise above all considerations, whether of pain or pleasure, to enjoy fellowship with him ! How should we seek instruction from him as the first and greatest of all blessings ! I am far from saying that we should neglect any earthly duty whatever ; but we should consider every thing in this world as altogether worthless in comparison of him : joys should be no joys, any further than they will consist with a sense of his love ; nor should sorrows be regarded for a moment, if they be endured for his sake, or can be rendered subservient to his glory. To hear his voice, and learn his will, and taste his love, and follow his steps, and secure a participation of his glory, this should be our one desire, our continued labour, our supreme delight.]
2. How delighted should we be with the thoughts of death !
[At death, this whole work of redemption will be fully completed. In Christ it is completed now; in us it will not be fully completed, till all the remains of sin are done away. That will take place at the moment of our release from this mortal body : and then we shall keep the feast in a better manner. Our Lord has taught us to expect a renewal of this feast in the realms above : he has told us, that " he will drink of new wine with us in his Father's kingdom1." O what a feast will that be ! We need not envy then the beloved Apostle, who at the Last Supper lay in his Saviour's bosom : for we ourselves shall, like Lazarus in Abraham's bosom, recline upon the bosom of our blessed Lord. Should we not then look for- ward to that time with holy desire, " looking for, and hasting unto, the coming of our Lord ? " Should not the language of us all be, " Come Lord Jesus, come quickly ?" Let not death, which is to introduce us to such bliss, be formidable in our eyes : but let us be anxious only to be counted worthy of that honour which he has prepared for us, and be " longing to be dissolved, that we may be with Christ."]
1 Matt. xxvi. 29.
1574.1 OUR lord's death fore-ordained. 97