Why was Christ chosen from among the people? Speak, my heart, for heart-thoughts are best. Was it not so he might be our brother, bound to us by the blessed tie of kindred blood? Oh, what a relationship exists between Christ and the believer!

The believer can say, "I have a Brother in heaven! I may be poor, but I have a Brother who is rich, and is a King—and will he suffer me to want while he is on his throne? Oh, no! He loves me; he is my Brother."

Believer, wear this blessed thought like a necklace of diamonds around the neck of your memory. Put it, as a golden ring, on the finger of recollection. Use it as the King's own seal, stamping the petitions of your faith with confidence of success. He is a brother born for adversity—treat him as such.

Christ was also chosen from among the people that he might know our wants and sympathize with us. "He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin." In all our sorrows, we have his sympathy. Temptation, pain, disappointment, weakness, weariness, poverty—he knows them all, for he has felt them all.

Remember this, Christian, and let it comfort you. However difficult and painful your road, it is marked by the footsteps of your Savior. Even when you reach the dark valley of the shadow of death, even at the deep waters of the swelling Jordan, you will find his footprints there. In all places wherever we go, he has been our forerunner. Every burden we have to carry has once been laid on the shoulders of Immanuel.

"His way was much rougher and darker than mine. Did Christ, my Lord, suffer, and shall I repine?"

Take courage! Royal feet have left a blood-red track upon the road, and consecrated the thorny path forever.