Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/231

 be increased,  and  not  that  He  might  be  refreshed. 3. He longed  with  His  whole  soul  for  the  complete  redemption of  all  mankind,  for  whom  He  was  dying. Endeavor to experience  the  same  zeal  for  virtue  and  the  salvation of your  neighbor. " Blessed  are  they  who  hunger  and thirst  after  justice,  for  they  shall  be  filled." (Matt. v.  6.)

I. "When  Jesus  therefore  had  taken  the  vinegar,  He said,  It  is  consummated." (John xix.  30.)  He  congratulates Himself  for  having  now  fully  accomplished  the  will of His  divine  Father,  "  becoming  obedient  unto  death, •even  the  death  of  the  cross." (Phil. ii.  8.)  He  has  now fulfilled the  prophecies  and  figures  which  regarded  His life, and  of  which  He  said:  "Do  not  think  that  I  come  to destroy  the  law  or  the  prophets:  I  come  not  to  destroy, but  to  fulfil." (Matt. v.  17.)  He  has  now  terminated His labors  and  His  sufferings,  which  He  endured  with patience to  the  very  last,  and  has  drunk  the  chalice  to the  very  dregs. Well, therefore,  might  He  say  to  His eternal Father,  "I  have  finished  the  work  which  Thou gavest  Me  to  do;  and  I  come  to  Thee." (John xvii.  4,  11.)

II. His last  words  were,  "  Father,  into  Thy  hands  I commend  My  spirit." (Luke xxiii.  46.)  He  uttered  these words "  with  a  loud  voice,"  to  show  that  He  had  triumphed  over  death,  sin,  and  the  devil. He teaches  us  also how to  recommend  ourselves  to  God  in  our  last  moments, and to  forget  at  that  awful  hour  all  earthly  cares  and ideas. Beseech your  dying Saviour  that  death  may  not attack you  unprovided  against  it,  or  prevent  you  from entertaining at  the  moment  of  your  dissolution  such holy sentiments.