XIII. A Direct Route.

Many have a desire to see Jesus, but miss the route, and fail in the end. They say a great deal, and do much—but after all they fail. We read of one away back in the days when Christ was on earth, who desired to see him, and hearing that he was to pass that way hastened to the road where he was to pass, and climbed up a tree, in order as he supposed to have a fine prospect; but Jesus called him down. It is just so with many at the present day; they want to see Jesus, but take the wrong route! they climb up,—i. e., they tell you how good they are; how much good they have done here and there. I heard a young preacher say, he went to Baltimore and converted two souls. His talk was full of self. Jesus was not the one altogether lovely with him.

It’s down at the foot of the cross, where flows the blood, that bought our guilty souls for God. This brother like a great many, fail to touch the blood, consequently, they always dine on old manna.

The last I saw of him he was loaded down with old musty bread, gotten from the Gibeonites. Too many take this route and fail. The direct route to Jesus, starts from low down in the valley,—the place called self-abasement. It is true, that way down here, there seems to be clouds and vapor, mixed with mist, while the eye is turned inward, and especially while under the direct rays of the Holy Ghost we see our unlikeness to God,—our infirmities—our ignorance—our sins—our short comings, heart wanderings, and alienations from him; and as we confess these to God and our brethren, we grow less in our own estimation. And as we go down in this way—confessing to the very bottom, suddenly, and as by magic, the clouds disperse, shadows fly—the invisible appears to mortal eye—glory to God!

Would you see Jesus? come down into the valley of blessing so sweet! “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” “If we seek to save our lives we shall lose them.” God has opened up a new and living way; that is the route of repentance—and confession—and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We need not be deceived in regard to our whereabouts. This route is paved all the way through with blood divine.

Then, too, the cross that kills is here; and this is always visible; and upon its beams are written: “He that would be my disciple, let him take up his cross daily, and come after me.” The direct route to Jesus is covered completely by the cross! Would you find it? Come down from your high perch! get off from your stilts, limber up; be child-like; leave off your affectation; talk natural, be just what you are; let God have you—and as quick as light from the smitten steel, you will find yourself in the direct route to glory; high above the storm and vapor—winging your way to the land that hath no storms.