by R. T. Holmes
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:6-8).
As the Lord must die that we might live, so we must die; die to ourselves, die to the wanting of our own will done, instead of His, if we want to bear fruit to His glory.
It is he that "loses his life" that finds it (Matt. 10:39). This is a truth of such vital importance that the Lord mentions it in every gospel, and twice in Matthew. It is the divine, as well as the natural law of all seed.
It is because those that are His have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts that the Lord calls some of the plants in His garden - frankincense, myrrh, and aloes (Gal. 5:24).
Frankincense was used for fumigation at sacrifices. Myrrh was used for anointing dead bodies. It was preservative and a disinfectant. They were all sweet smelling plants though, and were used to make a holy anointing oil and a perfume to be used in the tabernacle (Ex. 30:22-38). They were typical of the many graces of the Lord.
The aloe had another characteristic though. It was, and is, a very special plant. It blooms but once in its lifetime. When it does, it breaks into a thousand flowers, and as each one drops off, it takes root and becomes a new plant. The old plant then dies but in dying it brings forth a thousand lives.
Dear Christian, you are a sweet-savor to your Lord. He enwrapped you around His dead body to sweeten His death (Jn. 19:38-40). He has shown you, and all of us, that it is possible to see sorrow in the cup, and yet refuse to give it up; to drink it all to the death.
Let us be His aloe tree. Let us live
to die; to give life to others by the working of His
Spirit in us and through us, to sweeten their dead souls so that they
may be another one of His aloe trees. Let us follow Him.
May God help us to do it!