Week of Meetings 01 the Precious Blood — James K. Boswell

What beautiful lines to be able to sing, "'All that thrills my soul is Jesus. He is more than life to me.'". Thank you very much, Mr. and Mrs. Huffman.

All of you can truthfully say, "'It is well with my soul.'". Say it? Now, that's pretty weak. If your soul is resting upon the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and you know Him as a reality and that soul being purchased by that blood, then you can truthfully say, "'It is well, it is well with my soul.'".

I trust that really is the language of each one here tonight, that it really is well with your soul. Should you not be able to say a glorious amen to that now, maybe during the service you'll come to recognize your need of the Lord Jesus and own Him as your very own Lord and Savior, know the joy that it is really well with your soul.

We're going to sing together, 605, just in case you've forgotten it. Now, tonight we're not going to preach, we're just going to have a little heart-to-heart talk. We want you to open your Bibles to the 20th chapter of the Gospel by John, John chapter 20.

Jesus’ Compassion for the Grieving

Now, I trust our hearts will be strangely warm tonight as again we listen to the Spirit of God through the Holy Scripture speaking to you and speaking to me. As the Lord Jesus was being hounded to his place of death, Golgotha, all that moult the crowd were shouting away with Him, away with Him, let Him be crucified, we will not have this man to reign over us.

Among that crowd were a company of godly women, who found vain for their anguish in lamentation and in weeping. They were loved to obey this feat with their tears of love and devotion and sympathy. Among them was Mary Magdalene, out of whom had been cast seven demons.

She had been forgiven much, and she loved him much. There was Peter's mother-in-law, so Peter must have been married after all, for he had a mother-in-law. She was there. Remember, out of her had been cast that terrible fever.

The Lord came into that home, and they told him of her. He touched her, and the fever immediately left her, and she rose up and she ministered unto him. The widow's name was there. Her son had been given back to her from the dead.

Remember how the Lord Jesus met that terrible procession? He saw the weeping widow's mother. His great heart of compassion went out toward her, and he disturbed that terrible procession. He touched the beard of the cross and said, young man, I send you a rite.

He was dead, sat up, and he began to speak, and I love this with all my heart. He delivered him to his mother. He gave him back to the very soul from whence he had come. How understanding, how sympathetic, how compassionate is our lovely Lord Jesus Christ!

Martha and Mary were there. They had had occasional visits from the Lord Jesus. How he loved the results of Bethany! After the busy day, milling crops, milling all around him, there was a home where he was welcomed, a family where he was loved, and he loved them.

I know how he loved them from the Lord Jesus. Mary, his own mother, was there. She had had the great privilege of the great miracles that conception taken place within her, the great joy of bringing forth Christ into the world, displayed highly favored among women.

She was there. Now, let us come back for a moment, and just see how we fit into this picture, and how we tonight should draw near, and in faith, and in spirit. Just allow our hearts to overflow in gratitude, and in love, and in truth, and giving.

Conversion and New Life in Christ

Out of Mary Magdalene were cast seven demons. When I was born again as a boy almost fourteen years of age back yonder in Scotland, I don't know how many demons was cast out of me. The family said the lion in the house become a lamb.

Why? In a wonderful transformation took place, because Christ came into the lion. There is a terrible fever caused by sin in your life, and in my life, but we know that here in touch of our beloved Lord, that fear of sin is gone, and gone forever.

My sin, not in part, but the whole, has been nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! O my soul, we too have been dead in trespasses, and in sins, but now we may quicken into life, and tonight for the living to praise our lovely Lord Jesus.

I trust all in this very fine congregation tonight have come to that claim. Then you've come from a condition of spiritual death, and you're still a spiritual life, and you're alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our wonderful Lord.

O heart, we do not withdraw on the earth, and praise him, and adore him, and worship him. Mary and Martha had occasional visits from our Lord, but withal she said, I will never lazy, nor forsake thee.

The same yesterday, and the day, and forever, though I must go all the way into the confirmation of the age. O beloved, I found a friend, O such a friend! He loved me ere I knew him. He drew me with the cause of love, and thus he bound me to him.

Round my heart so closely twined, those ties which not can sever, for I am his, and he is mine. And you know something? It's forever, and forever. Every friend will fill and leave you. The one day stew, the next day grieve you, but this friend will never deceive you.

O how he loves! O the constant companionship of our lovely Lord Jesus, to living in the awareness that is with us every moment of every day. Do you know that, George and I? All fills my soul with Jesus.

Do I notice, moment by moment, day by day, filling my soul, flooding my whole life? Blessed is the nation. Mary had the great honor of bearing the Lord Jesus, bringing forth into the world that where we are concerned as believers on the Lord Jesus, Christ has been born in us.

He's come into our spirit life by his Spirit. He's taken up as a role in our life, and oh, it's a great desire that he might be formed in you, and formed in me. And Paul said in Galatians 4 19, that great paschal prayer, his whole heart moving on, I travel in birth again, and though Christ be formed in you, Christ in you, thy perfect glory.

O friend, have we not caused the night to draw near, and in spirit of faith, his feet without tears, and prostrate our whole being before him, and cry with all sincerity, and really mean it, O precious Lord Jesus, how lovely thou art.

Come and abide in, ruin my heart, break every fetter, thy faith let me see, then thou shalt ever be precious to me. Is Christ a reality in your life right now? But all that before you, come now to this great classic, the twentieth chapter of the gospel by John, and just notice the very first verse.

Mary Magdalene at the Empty Tomb

"'The Thursday of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it is yet dark on the sepulchre, and she is a stone taken away from the sepulchre.'. Now, here you think of this lone, timid woman. Sometimes the women are referred to as the weaker vessels, but I wonder very often, is that really true?

Is that really true? Also, when it comes to courage and bravery, we aren't shying, we men too. And here we find a case right here. Mary had been forgiven much, and she loved him much, and one John 4 18 says, "'Perfect love casteth all fear, there is no fear in love.'.

Here she's rising early in the morning, while it is yet dark, to go to the place of burial. A love and divorce is urging her on. Love knows no fears, love goes through all barriers. We find it right here.

When she arrives, what she finds, she finds the stone has been rolled away. Aren't you glad about that, eh? Doesn't that do something to you when you're in this enlightened age? Oh, I'm sure it does. Now, look at verse 2.

"'Then she arrives, and cometh to Simon Peter and to the other disciples.'. I like the way John writes about those other disciples whom Jesus loved. You could put your own name in there too, eh? He loved you, you know.

Oh, he loved you, and he understands you. I'm so glad about that, aren't you? Now, see again. "'And says unto them, they have taken away the law, and those that leave the law out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

Peter therefore went forth, and the other disciples, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together, and the other disciples did outrun Peter, and came through the sepulchre. John the younger man outran Peter.".

See the old laborer, he's coming along, the old fisherman. The young John runs along there through the sepulchre, and he's sitting down and looking in, just a casual look, just a casual look. Saw the linen clothes lying, yet went he not in.

Then cometh Simon Peter, following him, just as impetuous as ever. Peter's out in pictures, we know that, we got one. "'And went in the sepulchre, and see the linen clothes lie, and a neck that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, wrapped together in a plaid by itself.

Even dead he must have this re-eminence, even dead he must have this re-eminence. Here we find now the linen bandage lying, and says the body's still lying there. But now we find the neck, and not of the linen, lying by itself, a plaid by itself.

Listen to McCartney, when we called him to see on the way down, he has written a tract on this. Why the neck, and a plaid by itself, and he brings it out of the woman's covering. The bandage was there, never to be removed again, but the Lord, in his own glorious way, his own glorious way, and the one pre-eminent on day, he takes time to fold that neck, and place it by itself, and be it going to be used again.

When? When the women cover their head when they come in church capacity. No wonder of it all. Now isn't that just precious? The angel saw, the angel saw, and looked down, there's the whole thing right there.

Isn't that just precious? Doesn't that just come into your heart with my heart? Simon thought to himself, the Lord in all things must have the pre-eminent, or he'll never use those bandages again, and Christ in pre-eminent in life, Christ pre-eminent in day.

I loved it with all my heart. But John takes time to record that. The others didn't even mention it, but John noticed it, and with great interest he noticed, and he recorded it. Is there a message for your heart, and my heart here tonight?

I'm sure. There really is. Further, shall we? Then went in also the other disciples which came forth to sepulchre, and he saw and believed, for as yet he knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Then the disciples went away unto their own home, but Mary too. I won't underline these three words. Encircle the little box, but Mary too. The disciples went away to their own home as if unconcerned, but not Mary.

Mary loved them much. A whole being's moving out toward the Lord. She's come to meet the Lord, and she's not going to go without meeting her Lord. For heaven, we find her whole heart's allegiance, complete devotion, a whole being's moving out toward him.

And while the apostles left her cold and unmoved, and returned to earth's home, for the reward Mary got, but Mary too. She sows here her whole heart's allegiance, her complete devotion, her heart's warm love for the Lord Jesus, but Mary too.

Ruth’s Wholehearted Commitment

Don't you remember an Old Testament character in Ruth? She went all the way with me, oh my, to oppose me, her deliverer. Arthur goes back to Moab, the land of her nativity, back to God, back to her own people.

But Ruth says, entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee. Where thou goest, I will go, where thou dwellest, I will dwell. Thy people shall be my people, thy God shall be my God.

Where thou diest, I will die, and there will I be buried. What a wonderful baptismal text. Where thou diest, I will die, and there will I be buried. And she goes all the way with me, oh my, to oppose me, her deliverer.

What do we find? She's introduced a man whose name is Boah. Boah seems a strong man. He's also a mighty man of wealth, a mighty man of wealth, and because of young Ruth's utter devotion, and love, and affection for me, oh my, she's gloriously rewarding.

She comes in contact with Boah. She comes in all of impotence and powerlessness. She finds in Boah her abundance of strength. She comes in all of penury and poverty. She finds in Boah her abundance of wealth.

And Mary Magdalene, who, and because of her whole heart's allegiance, she too has a wonderful reward. What happens now? But Mary stood without the sepulchre weeping, and as she wept, she stood down and looked in the sepulchre, and sees two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus has lain, and your heart shouts, what?

Hallelujah! The body has laid. Thank God the body's no longer there. Aren't you glad about that tonight? Aren't you glad the cross is empty, and the tomb is vacated, and the crown is piled? I'll never again stand again in this grave.

I can't sing. You can make a noise, but I certainly can't sing. If he gives you to sing, there's plenty of volume, but very little melody. So there's the whole thing. I was standing in that grave. I'll never forget this in all my life.

My son, I serve a risen Savior. He's in the world today. You ask me how I know he lives. He lives within my heart. And as we came out from the tomb, it was pouring with rain, people standing outside wanting to get in.

And I couldn't contain myself again. We started low in the grave. He laid Jesus, my Savior, waiting the coming day, Jesus, my Lord. And up from the grave he arose, for the body of Christ, all is heard.

And just that psychological moment, I've been to Gotha, another great crowd of people stood there, and they joined right in. They cried, Hallelujah! Christ arose from all through the valley. I was showing my pictures on this in Brisbane, in Australia, a few months ago.

A man from the congregation said, James, I remember that well, but I didn't realize it was you who started it. We all joined in that very day. Hallelujah! Christ arose. Did your heart say amen to that?

Receiving the Risen Lord

How we don't present a creed, nor a code, nor a catechism, nor a church membership, we don't answer to John anything. We're asked to receive a living Lord. And he, by his birth, comes to change your life.

He'll transform your life. You'll become a new creation in Christ Jesus. Then you'll say, He lives! You know He lives. He lives within my heart. Your heart, too? Amen? Amen. Right on. And when the body had laid, I like that.

Oh, I really do. Let us follow him, shall we? Verse 13. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She says, Unto them, because they have taken away another chain she hath. My Lord! Verse 2. The Lord?

Verse number 13. My Lord! I know not where they have laid him. By the way, there were two in that sepulchre. One at the bottom, one at the head, I wonder who they could be? Who were they? Do we know that two appear with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration?

One was Moses, and the other Elijah? Could this not be? Could these not be the same two? Moses and Elijah? Do you remember the two on Acts chapter 1, verse 11, who came back saying, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?

The same Jesus who has just taken up from you the heavens. Your souls come in light, and how do you think of? Who are these? Could they not be Moses and Elijah? Who are going to be the two witnesses in the coming days?

Are they not Moses and Elijah? If you're not quite sure, may I suggest you read a little of that, so to wake my heart. If you haven't got that book, do get it. You can tell me where to get it. I'll get it too.

I've been always causing them. I'm never charging away that book from the dead devotion to never get. I get 500 charged words each morning. Not some fragmented old thing, but 500 words of charged Bible teaching.

Now, he agrees with me. Moses and Elijah. I will not be like the Catholic preacher who says, I will not be dogmatic, but I'm absolutely certain. Now, will you forget about that and think about it later now?

Come back with me to my study, will you? And, just as it says here, and when she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Now, don't blame Mary. Even the disciples in chapter 21 didn't know it was Christ standing on the sea shore.

They didn't know, but love recognizes them, you know. Jesus says on to her, woman why weepest thou? And, he adds something, whom speakest thou? The two remember earlier said, woman why weepest thou? And, later says, but now the lower says, whom speakest thou?

And, all the time he knew she was speaking to him, or her whole heart moving out toward him. Oh, the joy and the encouragement that must have been brought to the heart of a loving Lord that day. Where are the apostles?

Where are they? This lone woman, there she is. Ah, what a reward she gets. First to hear his voice, on resurrection ground. First to see him, on resurrection ground. And, some more, just since what happened to her.

She's opposed him to being the god of faith unto himself. E 'en thou dole him hence, tell me where thou has laid him, and I will take him away. Whatever she's going to do with a dead Christ, I simply don't know.

But, dead or alive, she wanted Christ. Now, let me ask you lovingly, is this your heart's devotion? Do you love him like this? Do you know him like this? Is your whole being moving up toward him, in wholehearted, complete, surrendered devotion to him?

Can you look up to God and say, I've no one in heaven but thee, let no one on earth I desire beside thee. Lord thou art enough, the mind and heart are still, fix my eyes to the holy law of me, that with thy beauty occupies, I elsewhere none may see.

Mary’s Encounter with the Risen Christ

And, oh, the glorious reward here. Jesus says unto her, Mary. And, he got a way of saying that, you know. Oh, he alone did this. And, as he said, her whole being just swirled within her. Mary, she turned herself and said, but then I, my own dear master.

And, she got up and clasped him to the earth and said, touch me not. I am not going to send you my father, but go to my brethren. She is a first person commissioned by the Lord. And, he commissioned her to go and tell my brethren.

Oh, I know some people tell me, Mary Magdalene was not very intelligent. Had she been more intelligent, she wouldn't have been there. I would rather have some person who's got a cool head, and a warm heart, and a cold heart, and a warm head, wouldn't you?

Wouldn't you? Wouldn't you rather have someone who is in heart love with the Lord Jesus, their heart, white heart, in love and devotion to render, in selfless sacrificial service in his name? Has someone to be so correct in orthodoxy, correct regarding church truth, regarding church principles, regarding doctrine, and be as cold as ice?

And, the great revival needed today is not more ministry, is not more manpower, not more money, not more new message, not more modern music, not more modern version, but for the individual believer to fall in love afresh with Jesus Christ.

And, friend, if that happens here during these days, our coming together is going to be really worthwhile. You're my friend, you hear such a lot of Bible teaching, beautiful exposition to God's word. My humble desire and prayer, long before coming here, that each one's going to have a fresh vision of Jesus Christ, and fall in love afresh with him.

The impact is going to have such a terrific impact, it shall be felt to the uttermost part of the earth. Do you love him? Do you love him? Does he mean everything to you? Go and tell my brethren, for heaven, say unto them, I say unto them, my father, the first time you ever come across his expression, know him now, and resurrection power is my father and your father, my God and your God.

Young Ruth said, thy people shall be my people, thy God shall be my God. And, she goes and tells the disciples, she has seen the Lord, and they told her all these things. And, with such a transformation, Mary's life is good enough.

Transformation Through Christ

Friends, you can't come in contact with Jesus Christ, be it a slave man or woman, boy or girl, again, you just cannot. Her life was transformed by the risen Christ. I want to teach the name Mary. The capital M-A-R-Y still spells Mary, doesn't it?

Brian told them, her name was Mar, her life was Mar because of sin. Her life was Mar because of sin. A, her life was altered because of contact with Jesus Christ. Girls are going to teach them, oh, life goes something like this.

I'm not going to sing it to you, don't worry. It's a new life, oh, how he changed me. It's a new life, he rearranged me. It's a new life, richer and fuller. It's a wonderful, wonderful life. And, it goes on from there, that when Christ comes, he really changes you.

He completely transforms you. You become a new creation in Christ Jesus. Your life is altered. Then, R, her life is remade, or, if you like, regenerated. Remade, or a new creation altogether. And, lastly, her life is gilded.

Her life is gilded. Mary, her life was Mar. Her life is altered. Her life is remade. Her life is gilded. Maybe, for a chance, not with some vice here, just my bad. Your life in Mar because of sin. But, Christ is here tonight, nearer to you than your neighbor, looking right down deep into your heart, right now.

Put out the empty hand of sin, and just touch millions. Lord, I do believe you died for me. I believe you shed your precious blood for me. And, Lord, I owe these my Lord and Savior. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and your life will be remade.

You'll become a new creation in Christ Jesus. All things will be passed away. You'll become a new creature altogether, and your life will be gilded. You can't hold back, oh no. You'll recognize he's Lord, you belong to him, and from your very heart you'll look up and say with all sincerity, Reign over me, Lord Jesus.

Reign over all within. Make me a loyal subject to thee. Say everything, all it may be, O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to thee. For thou, in thine atonement, didst give thyself to me. I owe no other master.

My heart shall be thy throne. My life I give, and forcefully to Christ. Oh yes, will you tonight? Will you tonight, right now, just take their hand? The Lord is here. The one who became dead, who is alive forevermore, neither to you nor your neighbor, just wants to say, Lord I believe, and I receive you.

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, will you? And those of us who have prevented me, may I ask them that we may, have you seen the Lord? Does he mean everything to you right now? If not, he's saying to you now, loveth thou me more than, loveth thou me more than, and will you turn away from your heart with all your heart and say, I'm living.

Love so amazing, so divine, shall have my heart, my life, my all. Your life once more, by sin, will be altered by your contact with Jesus Christ. Your life will be remade, regenerated, and your life will be healed.

Lord, I yield myself to thee. I've heard thy call, come give me thine all. Lord, I gladly yield to thee. That's only part of my message. I intended finishing the chapter tonight, but we must close right there.

The Call to Spiritual Commitment

I see my time almost gone. 350. There's no button-holding or in-jewel-pressing, not as you stand up with your hand or come to the front, but if you're concerned about spiritual matters, then please don't go away.

We're here to help you, if we possibly can. Maybe a friend will help you, and help you come and talk to us. If you tonight are a professing Christian, and you're living a defeated life, now that is a contradiction in terms.

There's no need for any Christian to live a defeated life. There's complete victory for you tonight in Christ Jesus, our wonderful Lord. Many here can testify to that, as it entered in by simple faith, the teaching of Romans 6.

This can be you or John. We'll hear this now. 315. I see the faith of Jesus. 316. I see the faith of Jesus. 317. He fills my heart with rapture. 318. My heart is filled with joy. 319. And since I've seen his beauty, all else I count but loss.

320. The world, its pain and pleasure, is now to me but loss. 321. His light dispelled my darkness. His smile was all to flee. 322. I've seen the faith of Jesus. I have seen the faith of Jesus. 323. I hear the voice of Jesus.

He fills me up. 324. I know it's coming shortly to take us all above. So sing redemption story, the story of his life. 325. See the Lord burst the clouds tonight and descend the earth and he made me. Are you going with us?

Oh, please make sure that before you leave tonight and sing with all your heart. 326. It is well. It is well. Let her talk with us. Thank you. 327. I know it's coming shortly to take us all above. We'll sing redemption story, the story of his life.

Closing Prayer for New Life

328. His voice of music will fill me. We thank you for the wonderful provision of life for all mankind. Blessed God, in the person and work of our lovely Lord Jesus, now by the divine operation of the Holy Spirit in this immediate congregation, through thy holy word, pray thy word tonight, may become alive as many believe thy word, receive thy word by simple faith.

Then the Lord Jesus, the very own Lord and Savior, they shall know the joy they're alive to praise him. Blessed God's assembled company, from the youngest to the eldest, where not one may leave tonight, but having seen our lovely Lord, having heard his voice, and felt his glorious touch, and responded with a glad assurance, Lord Jesus, thou art mine, and I am thine forever and forever.

True Christ, the wonderful Lord.