Man's hatred crowned Jesus with thorns, in mockery of His kingship. It had nothing to give the Lord of glory, the Maker of earth, but the fruits of the curse which sin had brought here. Man's love binds that blessed head in a napkin, as Jesus was to be laid away in the rich man's tomb. It spoke of love and care and reverence, but also of utter helplessness and hopelessness-the laying away of One whom they were never to see again-here at least. trusted that it had been He who would have redeemed Israel."This love, human and mistaken as it was, was marked by the Lord. The napkin lies by itself God has crowned Him with glory and honor. He has given Him"beauty for ashes."He wears now what either human hatred nor love put upon His head, but what divine glory has put there." We see Jesus, . . crowned with glory and honor."

FRAGMENT The voice behind us and the object before us.–We have a calling on high of God in Christ Jesus. That is the object before us. No matter what the attainment in knowledge or grace, we press toward the mark. Nothing short of resurrection and a place with Christ where He is will satisfy God's purpose for us. Surely, with such an object, our steps onward should be neither few nor feeble. But should the eye be turned from Christ, and earthly things absorb us, how soon the walk becomes faulty, and we wander from the path! It is then we hear a voice, not before us, but behind, recalling us to forsaken path, and saying, "This is the way; walk ye in it." In the path agin (never out of it), the eye is directed to Christ on high. The voice is behind us when we turn to the right hand or t the left. We can only walk with God in His path. The moment we forsake that, we turn from Him, and find Him no longer alongside of us, but behind, recalling us to Himself. How great is his faithfulness, who thus not only has set a mark on high (and what a mark!), but who watches each step we take here, and provides for our restoration!

FRAGMENT
Child of the Eternal Father,
Bride of the Eternal Son,
Dwelling-place of God the Spirit,
Thus with Christ made ever one;
Dowered with joy beyond the angels,
Nearest to His throne,
They, the ministers attending;
His beloved one:
Granted all my heart’s desire,
All things made my own;
Feared by all the powers of evil,
Fearing God alone;
Walking with the Lord in glory
Through the courts divine,
Queen within the royal palace,
Christ forever mine;
Say, poor worldling, can it be,
That my heart should envy thee?

G. Tersteegen (From "The Quiet in the Land")