Letters to a Soul Seeking Jesus IV: Taste that Christ is precious

Dear Friend,

It is written, "Unto you who believe He is precious;" and if you are a child of God, you will know and feel what the words mean (1 Pet. 2:7).  At one time Christ was "like a tender plant" to you, and like "a root out of a dry ground."  You saw "no form nor beauty in Him, no beauty that you should desire Him."  At that time you were at ease in Zion—you had no concern for your soul.  Do you remember that time?  Is it otherwise with you now?  Have you been pricked in your heart by the Holy Spirit?  Have you been made to see how impossible it is for man to be just with God? and has the Spirit drawn away the veil from the fair face of Immanuel, and given you an unfeigned glance at the brow that was crowned with the thorns, and the cheek from which they plucked off the hair?  Has the Spirit opened a window into the heart of Jesus, and let you see the fountain-head of that love that "passes knowledge?"  Then you will be able to say, "To me He is precious."  If you see plainly that all your standing before God is in Him, that He is your foundation-stone, your fountain, your wedding-garment, then you will feel Him to be precious.  Most people refuse to come to Christ.  Read Luke 14:16-24—"They all with one consent began to make excuse."  Why is this?  Just because they do not see and feel that He is precious.  But oh, if you, my dear friend, feel that He is your only righteousness—your only fountain of living water—your High Priest—your Shepherd—you Advocate, then you will say, "He is precious!"  You will never say, "Have me excused."  I carry to you the sweet invitation, "Come, for all things are now ready."  Jesus is ready to wash and clothe you in His own blood and righteousness.  The Holy Spirit is ready to come into your heart and make it new.  The Father is ready to put His arms round your neck, and kiss you (Luke 15:20).  The angels are ready to give thanks for you, and to love you as a sister for eternity.  Now, will you come, for 'all things are ready'?  Are you now saying in your heart, "I cannot but believe I am the chief of sinners, and Jesus offers to be my refuge, my Mediator, my all in all; I feel He is precious"?  Oh, dear friend, I trust you do.  This only will make you happy in living, and blessed in dying.  This is a poor dying world.  Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.  There is no part here that death cannot take from us.  But if you have Christ, you have the only imperishable portion!  Oh, may the Holy Spirit give you a firm hold of Jesus!  then we shall meet in that sweet place, where there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.  The Lord deal kindly and gently with you, both soul and body.  Farewell, dear friend.

Ever yours,

Robert Murray M'Cheyne