I try to be a practical preacher. After I unpack a section of Scripture, I like to suggest a simple next step to help God’s people put that truth into practice. But there are certain texts and certain times where it doesn’t feel right to leave people with something more to do. Because sometimes (perhaps many times), the most biblical thing to leave people with is what has already been done for them.

It makes me think of Charles Spurgeon’s death. When the great 19th-century preacher was drawing close to his last breath, he didn’t leave his friends with five tips to be stronger Christians. Instead, he quoted the words of a now-famous hymn called “Before the Throne of God Above.” The lyrics point to the sinless and perfect Lamb who died to save us. 

The song doesn’t give any next steps or things to do other than to behold Jesus. Fixing your eyes on his unfailing love might help you in ways that all the works in the world cannot.

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29).