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These are the things we are never to forget。 The love of Jesus； with its constraining power； is to be kept fresh in our memory。 Christ has instituted this service that it may speak to our senses of the love of God that has been expressed in our behalf。 There can be no union between our souls and God except through Christ。 The union and love between brother and brother must be cemented and rendered eternal by the love of Jesus。 And nothing less than the death of Christ could make His love efficacious for us。 It is only because of His death that we can look with joy to His second coming。 His sacrifice is the center of our hope。 Upon this we must fix our faith。
The ordinances that point to our Lord's humiliation and suffering are regarded too much as a form。 They were instituted for a purpose。 Our senses need to be quickened to lay hold of the mystery of godliness。 It is the privilege of all to comprehend； far more than we do； the expiatory sufferings of Christ。 〃As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness；〃 even so has the Son of man been lifted up； 〃that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish； but have eternal life。〃 John 3：14； 15。 To the cross of Calvary； bearing a dying Saviour； we must look。 Our eternal interests demand that we show faith in Christ。
Our Lord has said； 〃Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man； and drink His blood； ye have no life in you。 。 。 。 For My flesh is meat indeed； and My blood is drink indeed。〃 John 6：53…55。 This is true of our physical nature。 To the death of Christ we owe even this earthly life。 The bread we eat is the purchase of His broken body。 The water we drink is bought by His spilled blood。 Never one； saint or sinner； eats his daily food； but he is nourished by the body and the blood of Christ。 The cross of Calvary is stamped on every loaf。 It is reflected in every water spring。 All this Christ has taught in appointing the emblems of His great sacrifice。 The light shining from that Communion service in the upper chamber makes sacred the provisions for our daily life。 The family board becomes as the table of the Lord； and every meal a sacrament。
And how much more are Christ's words true of our spiritual nature。 He declares； 〃Whoso eateth My flesh； and drinketh My blood； hath eternal life。〃 It is by receiving the life for us poured out on Calvary's cross； that we can live the life of holiness。 And this life we receive by receiving His word； by doing those things which He has commanded。 Thus we become one with Him。 〃He that eateth My flesh；〃 He says； 〃and drinketh My blood； dwelleth in Me； and I in him。 As the living
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Father hath sent Me； and I live by the Father： so he that eateth Me； even he shall live by Me。〃 John 6：54； 56； 57。 To the holy Communion this scripture in a special sense applies。 As faith contemplates our Lord's great sacrifice； the soul assimilates the spiritual life of Christ。 That soul will receive spiritual strength from every Communion。 The service forms a living connection by which the believer is bound up with Christ； and thus bound up with the Father。 In a special sense it forms a connection between dependent human beings and God。
As we receive the bread and wine symbolizing Christ's broken body and spilled blood； we in imagination join in the scene of Communion in the upper chamber。 We seem to be passing through the garden consecrated by the agony of Him who bore the sins of the world。 We witness the struggle by which our reconciliation with God was obtained。 Christ is set forth crucified among us。
Looking upon the crucified Redeemer； we more fully comprehend the magnitude and meaning of the sacrifice made by the Majesty of heaven。 The plan of salvation is glorified before us； and the thought of Calvary awakens living and sacred emotions in our hearts。 Praise to God and the Lamb will be in our hearts and on our lips； for pride and self…worship cannot flourish in the soul that keeps fresh in memory the scenes of Calvary。
He who beholds the Saviour's matchless love will be elevated in thought； purified in heart； transformed in character。 He will go forth to be a light to the world； to reflect in some degree this mysterious love。 The more we contemplate the cross of Christ； the more fully shall we adopt the language of the apostle when he said； 〃God forbid that I should glory； save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ； by whom the world is crucified unto me； and I unto the world。〃 Gal。 6：14。
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Chapter 73
〃Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled〃
Looking upon His disciples with divine love and with the tenderest sympathy； Christ said； 〃Now is the Son of man glorified； and God is glorified in Him。〃 Judas had left the upper chamber； and Christ was alone with the eleven。 He was about to speak of His approaching separation from them； but before doing this He pointed to the great object of His mission。 It was this that He kept ever before Him。 It was His joy that all His humiliation and suffering would glorify the Father's name。 To this He first directs the thoughts of His disciples。
Then addressing them by the endearing term； 〃Little children；〃 He said； 〃Yet a little while I am with you。 Ye shall seek Me： and as I said unto the Jews； Whither I go； ye cannot come； so now I say to you。〃
The disciples could not rejoice when they heard this。 Fear fell upon them。 They pressed close about the Saviour。 Their Master and Lord； their beloved Teacher and Friend； He was dearer to them than life。 To Him they had looked for help in all their difficulties； for comfort in their sorrows and disappointments。 Now He was to leave them； a lonely； dependent company。 Dark were the forebodings that filled their hearts。
But the Saviour's words to them were full of hope。 He knew that they were to be assailed by the enemy； and that Satan's craft is most successful against those who are depressed by difficulties。 Therefore He pointed them away from 〃the things which are seen；〃 to 〃the things which are not seen。〃 2 Cor。 4：18。 From earthly exile He turned their thoughts to the heavenly home。
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〃Let not your heart be troubled；〃 He said； 〃ye believe in God； believe also in Me。 In My Father's house are many mansions： if it were not so； I would have told you。 I go to prepare a place for you。 And if I go and prepare a place for you； I will come again； and receive you unto Myself； that were I am； there ye may be also。 And whither I go ye know； and the way ye know。〃 For your sake I came into the world。 I am working in your behalf。 When I go away； I shall still work earnestly for you。 I came into the world to reveal Myself to you； that you might believe。 I go to the Father to co…operate with Him in your behalf。 The object of Christ's departure was the opposite of what the disciples feared。 It did not mean a final separation。 He was going to prepare a place for them； that He might come again； and receive them unto Himself。 While He was building mansions for them； they were to build characters after the divine similitude。
Still the discipl