“And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but He received it not.” — Mark 15:23

A golden truth is couched in the fact that the Saviour put the myrrhed wine-cup from His lips. On the heights of heaven the Son of God stood of old, and as He looked down upon our globe He measured the long descent to the utmost depths of human misery; He cast up the total of all the agonies which expiation would require, and abated not a jot. He solemnly determined that to offer a sufficient atoning sacrifice He must go the whole way, from the highest to the lowest, from the throne of highest glory to the cross of deepest woe. This myrrhed cup, with its soporific influence, would have stayed Him within a little of the utmost limit of misery, therefore He refused it. He would not stop short of all He had undertaken to suffer for His people. Ah, how many of us have…

pined after reliefs toour grief which would have been injurious to us! Reader, did you neverpray for a discharge from hard service or suffering with a petulant andwilful eagerness? Providence has taken from you the desire of your eyeswith a stroke. Say, Christian, if it had been said, “If you so desire it, thatloved one of yours shall live, but God will be dishonoured,” could youhave put away the temptation, and said, “Thy will be done”? Oh, it issweet to be able to say, “My Lord, if for other reasons I need not suffer,yet if I can honour Thee more by suffering, and if the loss of my earthly allwill bring Thee glory, then so let it be. I refuse the comfort, if it comes inthe way of Thine honour.” O that we thus walked more in the footsteps ofour Lord, cheerfully enduring trial for His sake, promptly and willinglyputting away the thought of self and comfort when it would interfere withour finishing the work which He has given us to do. Great grace is needed,but great grace is provided.

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Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen