Meister Eckhart (1260-1327) was an influential preacher in Germany. He once preached a sermon on the three things which should draw one to Christ. Let us notice his three points….

1. His fellow likeness to us.

He experienced life, its joys, and its hardships and sorrows. “We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). He went through all that we do. He did such for us. He grew hungry (Matthew 4:2), thirsty (John 4:6-7, 19-28), weary (John 4:6), and even needed sleep (Mark 4:38).

2. He emptied himself.

“Who being in the form of God … made himself of no reputation (emptied himself – ASV, NASB), taking the form of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in the appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:6-8). The original word translated “no reputation” or “emptied,” means “to empty, to make empty, … to make void, i.e., deprive of force, … to make void, i.e., to cause to be seen as empty” (Thayer). He humbled himself for our sakes.

3. The glowing heat of his love.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no man than this, Than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Again he said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to myself” (John 12:32). The lifting up refers to his death on the cross. He draws all men to himself by means of the cross. His death was for all (Hebrews 2:9).

If these three things do not draw you to Christ, then nothing else will. True followers are drawn by these things. It is not about being entertained at the assembly. It is not about eating and socializing. It is about being taught and convicted by the facts of the Gospel. Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent Me draws him … it is written in the prophets, ‘And they all shall be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me” (John 6:44-45). There is not a drawing to Christ, without teaching. The facts of the Gospel taught is the drawing power.