A Lesson of Encouragement and Comfort

"Why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?" -John 20:15 [KJV]

Profession of Christ, without affection to Him, leaves the heart in dead formality. What is religion without the affections? What the highest pretension, the greatest depth of knowledge, without love to our dear Saviour? Here poor Mary discovers her affection to her Lord, by weeping for, and seeking after His crucified body. The fire of love in the heart carries out the soul beyond itself. 

Tell me, Sir, says she to Jesus (supposing Him to be the gardener) where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Poor weak being, her affections went beyond her strength. But to her inexpressible joy and comfort, Jesus manifested Himself to her. This was written for our instruction. Come ye weeping, seeking souls, learn a lesson of encouragement and comfort to-night, from your sister’s conduct, and your Lord’s dealings with her. 

Observe, (1st.) Christ’s beloved disciples have their weeping and their seeking seasons. They weep, because they love Christ: they seek Him, because they cannot be happy without Him. So the church, “I sought Him whom my soul loveth: I sought Him, but I found Him not” (Song of Solomon 3:1.) Still she goes on seeking. Seeking Christ is an evidence of, and discovers love to Him. Seeking Him sorrowing and weeping, shews the ardency of affection. Poor distressed sinner, who seest thy want of Christ, knowest thy all is in Him, and canst not be happy without Him, know this is from a dart of love. Christ hath wounded, and ravished thy heart, with His love. What doth He say to thee? “Thou hast ravished My heart, My sister, My spouse” (Song of Solomon 4:9.) O there is a mutual affection between Christ’s heart and thine. 

(2d.) Jesus was near to Mary, though she knew Him not. He is near to every weeping, seeking soul, though they have not the comfort of it. 

(3d.) He discovers His affection by His questions: “Why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?” Our fears are seen: our sorrows are felt by our sympathizing Lord: our most silent sighs enter into His ears, and pierce His heart: but He will know the cause of our sorrows from our own lips. Then pour out your hearts before Him, tell Him of your complaints. Do this in the assurance of faith, that He will manifest Himself to you. 

For, (4th.) He did so to Mary. He called her by her name, Mary, which signifies exalted. She was exalted to know Christ’s voice, to taste His love, to be His sister and His spouse, to be married to Christ, and to live in sweet union to Him, and communion with Him. 

O soul, see whence your seeking, sorrowing frames spring! See the blessed end in which they terminate. O bless Jesus for a heart to seek Him. Bless Him, though you seek Him sorrowing. Thy Lord hath assured thee, “Every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth.” Luke 11:10.

 

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

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