Evening, March 24, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit.” — Luke 10:21

The Savior was “a man of sorrows,” but every thoughtful mind has discovered the fact that down deep in his innermost soul he carried an inexhaustible treasury of refined and heavenly joy. Of all the human race, there was never a man who had a deeper, purer, or more abiding peace than our Lord Jesus Christ. “He was anointed with the oil of gladness above his companions.” His vast compassion must, from the very nature of things, have afforded him the deepest possible delight, for compassion is joy. There were a few remarkable seasons when this joy manifested itself. “At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, ‘I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth.'” Christ had his songs, though it was night for him; though his face was marred, and his countenance had lost the luster of earthly happiness, still sometimes it was lit up with a matchless splendor of unparalleled satisfaction, as he was looking to the reward, and in the midst of the congregation sang his praise to God. In this, the Lord Jesus is a blessed picture of his church on earth. At this hour the church expects to walk in sympathy with her Lord along a thorny road; through much tribulation she is forcing her way to the crown. To bear the cross is her occupation, and to be scorned and counted an alien by her mother’s children is her lot; and yet the church has a deep well of joy, of which none can drink but her own children. There are stores of wine, and oil, and corn, hidden in the midst of our Jerusalem, upon which the saints of God are evermore sustained and nurtured; and sometimes, as in our Savior’s case, we have our seasons of intense delight, for “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High.” Though we are exiles, we rejoice in our King; yes, in him we rejoice greatly, while in his name we set up our standards.