Mark 15:23

A golden truth is contained in the fact that the Savior put the myrrhed wine-cup from his lips. Long ago, on the heights of heaven, the Son of God stood, and as he looked down upon our globe, he measured the long descent to the utmost depths of human misery; he calculated the sum total of all the agonies which expiation would require, and did not lessen it in the slightest.

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 sleep-inducing influence, would have stopped him just short 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 longed for reliefs to our grief which would have been harmful to us! Reader, have you never prayed for a discharge from hard service or suffering with an impatient and willful eagerness?

Providence has taken from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke. Say, Christian, if it had been said, "If you so desire it, that loved one of yours shall live, but God will be dishonored," could you have rejected the temptation and said, "Thy will be done"?

Oh, it is sweet to be able to say, "My Lord, if for other reasons I do not need to suffer, yet if I can honor you more by suffering, and if the loss of my earthly all will bring you glory, then so let it be. I refuse the comfort if it comes in the way of your honor."

Oh, that we would walk more in this way, in the footsteps of our Lord, cheerfully enduring trial for his sake, promptly and willingly putting aside the thought of self and comfort when it would interfere with our finishing the work which he has given us to do.

Great grace is needed, but great grace is provided.