Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

April 17– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“We want to see Jesus.” 

—John 12:21

The people of the world are always crying out, “Where can we find something good to enjoy?” They seek their satisfaction in earthly comforts, enjoyments, and riches. But when the sinner’s heart is stirred by the Holy Spirit, he becomes aware of the one good thing he truly needs. He says, “O that I knew where I might find Jesus!” When the sinner is truly awakened to feel his guilt, you could pour all the gold in India at his feet, and he would say, “Take it away: I want Jesus.”

It is a blessed thing for a man, when he has brought all his desires into focus, so that they all center in one object. When he has fifty different desires, his heart resembles a swamp of stagnant water, breeding malaria and disease. But when all his desires are brought into one channel, his heart becomes like a river of pure water, running swiftly to fertilize the fields. Happy is he who has one desire, if that one desire is Christ. If Jesus is a soul’s desire, it is a blessed sign of divine work within him. Such a man will never be content with mere ordinances. He will say, “I want Christ. When I am dying thirst, don’t give me empty pitcher of religious practices; give me water, or I die. Jesus is my soul’s desire; I must see Jesus!”

Is this the condition of your heart, dear reader? Have you but one desire, and is that desire Christ himself? If so, then you are not far from the kingdom of heaven. Do you have but one wish in your heart— to be washed from all your sins in Jesus’ blood? Can you really say, “I would give all I have to gain Christ?” Then, despite all your fears, be encouraged; the Lord loves you, and you will come into the daylight soon and rejoice in the liberty with which Christ makes men free. [M&E]