JESUS: The Friend of sinners is to ALL who come unto Him!

"When she was come to Solomon, she communed with him, of all that was in her heart." -I Kings 10:2 [KJV]

Behold a rare instance of sovereign grace. A king and queen met, to talk of the things of God! Human pomp and worldly grandeur, do not always shut the heart against the grace of God. Though “Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called” (I Corinthians 1:25.) yet it pleases our Saviour to call some. He chooses one and another of the wise, mighty, and noble, to bow to His grace, honour His name, and shine as distinguished lights in the world. 

But in general, the gospel runs most and thrives best among the poor. “Hearken, my beloved, hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom?” (James 2:5.) Here is a visit paid by a happy queen to a wise king. They were both wise and happy; for they were wise unto salvation. 

(1st.) See the cause of her visit. She heard of Solomon’s fame concerning the Name of the Lord. This is the most noble of all fame; most blessed, when that is the first and chief spring of all our concerns. But, behold! greater than Solomon is here. The name of King Jesus is proclaimed all through the scriptures. “In Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3.) Yet how few of rich and poor seek unto Him? Awful! this royal queen, our Lord declares, shall rise up in judgment with, and condemn all such (Matthew 7:42.) Most happy those who seek unto Jesus. 

(2d.) See the end of her visit—“To prove him with hard questions.” Most probable, with intricate cases of conscience, which concerned the peace of her soul. Most happy, to have free access to Jesus, to pour out our hearts before Him, and to tell Him of our doubts and sorrows. Not more free and open was Solomon’s heart to hear and answer her hard question than the Friend of sinners is to all who come unto Him. 

(3d.) She communed with him of all that was in her heart. O, it is well with, and well for us, to lay all open before our Lord, and to keep back no temptation, however vile, beastly, and devilish! He knows what is in us. He likes we should confess it unto Him. 

(4th.) What was the effect of this visit? joy and rapture. “There was no more spirit in her.” She was wrapt in ecstasy. She cries, “One half was not told me: it exceeds the fame which I heard!” One sight of Jesus by faith, one whisper from His loving heart, will cause this. O, let us more and more meditate upon the fame of Christ; and prove it from hour to hour, in looking to Him, seeking Him, calling on Him, and living upon Him, till we reign with Him in heaven! Then, in the highest ecstasy, we shall say, Not one half of Thy glory, O Jesus! has been told us.

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)