Encouragement in Christ JESUS, "The LORD our righteousness!" 24JUL22 A.D.

"There they made Him a supper." -John 12:2 [KJV]

We are very apt to suppose the blessedness of those hallowed seasons in which the Lord Jesus ate and drank familiarly with His disciples, as peculiarly given to the followers of our Lord in the days of His flesh. And, no doubt, there was a precious savour which Jesus manifested upon those occasions. He that laid aside His garments, and condescended to wash His disciples' feet, may well be supposed to have said and shewn a thousand gracious things in those seasons, which are not recorded. But, my soul, depend upon it, if we make Jesus a supper, or if Jesus invites us to His own, which is the same thing, there will be always a blessed savour of His person, work, and righteousness, when His person is the subject of discourse, and His work and righteousness the rich food of the soul.  

Our ordinary meals would be truly sanctified, if the love, and grace, and favour of the bountiful giver of them, became the chief conversation at our table. But is it to be wondered at, if carnal company mingle at our entertainments, that carnal discourse, and not that which tendeth to edification, should follow? And if Jesus be thus forbidden, how shall it otherwise be, but that every thing connected with Jesus is banished? How often, my soul, hast thou been at such tables, and in such society where thy master is not honoured; but where, at thy departure, thou mightest with truth have taken up the observation, and said, 'Alas! I have neither said ought which might benefit another, nor heard ought to be benefited by myself?'  

Blessed Lord, while I sit down at the refreshments of Thy bounties, give me always to recollect from Whom they come; and while I eat of the fat, and drink of the sweet, do Thou, Lord, send portions to them for whom nothing is prepared. And cause me and mine, at every supper, to make Thee a supper in a true spiritual enjoyment of Thee. Oh! for Thy presence to be always in view, and the savour of Thy name to be as "ointment poured forth!" And do Thou, Lord, by the sweet influences of Thy Spirit, direct our conversation to the use of edifying, that we may talk of Jesus, while Jesus draweth nigh to us; and at every supper, think of the supper of the Lord; and by faith, enjoy that marriage-supper of the Lamb in heaven, at which we hope, ere long, to sit down for ever! 

-Robert Hawker (1753-1827 A.D.)