Deeper Life #305

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

—Matthew 16:24

JESUS CHRIST, WHILE ON THIS earth, taught all He had to teach. Let me say this very clearly: Pentecost added nothing to the doctrine taught by Jesus Christ or believed by the disciples.

What did Pentecost do? Pentecost made the disciples what they preached. They had heard all of Jesus Christ’s doctrines preached in the day of His flesh and had not understood a word He said. Theirs was a life of sentiment. But Pentecost made them living examples of the gospel.

In the dark church she knelt alone,

Her tears were falling fast,

“Help, Lord,” she cried, “the shades of death

Upon my soul are cast!

Have I not shunned the path of sin,

And chosen the better part?”

What voice came through the sacred air?

“My child, give me thy heart.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

“Have I not worn my strength away,

With fast and penance sore?

Have I not watched and wept,” she cried;

“Did thy dear saints do more?

Have I not gained thy grace, O Lord,

And won in heaven my part?”

It echoed louder in her soul—

“My child, give me thy heart.”

Prayer Thought: O Lord, I yield my life to the transforming power of Your Spirit.

SUGGESTED READING: Matthew 16:21–28