Things That Make for Peace
Would that even today you knew the things that wake for peace! Luke 19 :42.
These lamentable words came from our Lord the day He wept over Jerusalem. His heart was filled with grief. He longed to bring about a change in the cold hearts of the people, but they rejected Him. He had come to “seek and to save the lost,” but they would have nothing to do with Him. He came to give peace, but they stubbornly refused it. In burning love for these rejecters, He cried out, “Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes.” Let us note especially these words, “the things that make for peace.” There are a lot of things that belong to peace—many more than most of us realize. Let us just enumerate a few of them.
A soul that has peace with God also has joy. How true the promise, “Seek first his kingdom, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well” (Matt. 6:33). True joy is also one of these additions that accompany peace. It is a joy that is different from that which people in the world experience. It is a joy that is directly from Christ. He himself has said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). This joy always accompanies peace.
Love is another one of the things that accompany peace. We at once love Him who gave us this great peace. He becomes “fairer than ten thousand” to our souls. We never know true love until we are saved. In fact, love is one of the ways by which we know that we are children of God. John, writing to the people in his day, said, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love remains in death” (1 John 3:14). One of Jesus’ commandments was that His disciples should love one another. “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13 :34). In fact, love was to be the Christian’s universal badge. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
A clean conscience also belongs to peace. Is anything more horrible than living with an accusing conscience? It is a foretaste of hell. Once a tired, weary sinner comes to Christ, he becomes free from the guilt of sin. “For our sake he made him to be sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Christ, who can give a clean conscience, “redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Gal.3:13). He longs to give a cleansed conscience to troubled souls. It is one of the things that make for peace.
Hope also accompanies peace. Only those who have peace with God have hope. All others are hopeless. There is no hope for those who remain in bondage. Hope does not begin until the peace of God has become our gift. Then hope immediately springs up within our heart, for “by his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). Whereas darkness, gloom, fear and despair once reigned in our soul, now that peace has come, we immediately have hope for the future. Heaven with all its glories looms up before us. With the psalmist, we, too, can cry out, “For Thee, 0 Lord, do I wait” (Ps. 38:15).
The “things that make for peace” are many. In fact, all that Christ has belongs to one whom He saves, “If children, then heirs, heirs of God, and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17). We arrive at the same conclusion that John came to when he concluded his Gospel: “But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). So also with the things that belong to peace—they are legion.
Jerusalem and most of its inhabitants rejected Christ, the Prince of Peace. They never got to know the things of peace. Jesus had to say, “Now they are hid from your eyes.” It caused Jesus to weep. Now our turn has come. The Prince of Peace confronts us. Must He weep again? Or will the things that belong to peace be ours?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
I Give You What I Have - Maynard Force
“I Give You What I Have”
Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Acts 3:6.
Giving and Christianity belong together. Jesus said to His followers, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). When a Christian no longer gives, he no longer lives, for giving and living cannot be separated.
When the lame beggar stretched out his hand and requested a few coins from Peter and his companion, they were unable to meet his request and Peter had to say, “I have no silver or gold.” He was absolutely penniless at this time and could have politely passed by the needy one with a good excuse. Requests, however, are not to be handled lightly for each one is an open door to a blessing if dealt with rightly.
Peter was nevertheless willing to give what he had; therefore, he added, “I give you what I have.” After all, that is all God requires of His people, for the Bible says, “If the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he has not” (2 Cor. 8:12).
“I give you what I have” is easier said than done. The temptation is common to pretend we have less than we actually have. It is so easy to give the assessor one value of one’s property and the insurance adjuster another value. Some people seem to think that it is a virtue to pretend they have less than what they actually own. Ananias and Sapphira tried to do that in the early church and both were struck dead by God. Peter said, “Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3). Had these people lived according to “I give you what I have,” they would not have invited God’s wrath upon them.
The words of Peter, “I give you what I have,” are good words by which to live. God always meets us where we are. Paul wrote, “Only let us hold true to what we have attained” (Phil. 3:16). That means to live on the level where we find ourselves today. We are not to pretend that we are better than we are or that we are worse than we are. To interpret this in the sense of giving, it means to give only what we have, nothing more and certainly nothing less.
A Christian life compares well with a funnel. The more the funnel gives out at the smaller end, the more it can receive at the larger end. The use of a funnel is limited in the amount received by the amount given out. God can give us only as we in turn pass our blessings on to others. We are told, “Give, and it will be given to you . . . for the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Luke 6:38). To be able to receive more from God means to be able to pass more on to others. It would be wise then to stop asking God for more and ask rather for grace to give what we already have. Our attention needs to be directed to the giving end and God will take care of the receiving end. “God loves a cheerful giver” because such a person offers God an opportunity to pour out His blessings freely. God works through His people. No one has yet lived that has been able to give out more than God replenishes. You just cannot get ahead of God. When the giving end is wide open, God is able to pour His blessings in faster at the receiving end. If you doubt this statement, why not put it to a test in your own life and see for yourself.
When Peter gave what he had, he gave more than the lame beggar expected. If the beggar’s heart sank when he heard Peter say, “I have no silver or gold,” he must have taken courage when he heard him say, “I give you what I have.” Then when Peter added, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,” he received far more than he had even dared to ask. It is true that our Lord “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). However, let us not forget that our Lord uses people like Peter to act as channels through which He imparts His superabundant blessings. There would be more people receiving far more than what they ask or even think if God had more open Christians through whom He could impart His blessings.
A Christian is a channel through which God wishes to work. To impress this truth upon His disciples, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches: He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is who bears fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15 :5). Whatever is done must be done by God. As He uses the branches to bear the fruit, so He uses Christians through whom He imparts His blessings. God could have sent an angel and healed the lame beggar before Peter reached him had He wanted to do so, but He chose to use the regular channel through which He does His work—namely, His redeemed people. Therefore, it is important that everyone who confesses to be a Christian be an open channel through whom God can impart blessings.
“What I have, that give I thee” is a good motto. This statement by Peter is a key to successful, happy living. He who lives thereby will never regret it. All who have been used of God in the past have exemplified these words in their everyday life. Even people who are not Christians are captivated by such living.
To carry out this kind of living takes the grace of God. It is a grace given by God Himself to all those who want it. We have the promise, “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).
Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Acts 3:6.
Giving and Christianity belong together. Jesus said to His followers, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). When a Christian no longer gives, he no longer lives, for giving and living cannot be separated.
When the lame beggar stretched out his hand and requested a few coins from Peter and his companion, they were unable to meet his request and Peter had to say, “I have no silver or gold.” He was absolutely penniless at this time and could have politely passed by the needy one with a good excuse. Requests, however, are not to be handled lightly for each one is an open door to a blessing if dealt with rightly.
Peter was nevertheless willing to give what he had; therefore, he added, “I give you what I have.” After all, that is all God requires of His people, for the Bible says, “If the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he has not” (2 Cor. 8:12).
“I give you what I have” is easier said than done. The temptation is common to pretend we have less than we actually have. It is so easy to give the assessor one value of one’s property and the insurance adjuster another value. Some people seem to think that it is a virtue to pretend they have less than what they actually own. Ananias and Sapphira tried to do that in the early church and both were struck dead by God. Peter said, “Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3). Had these people lived according to “I give you what I have,” they would not have invited God’s wrath upon them.
The words of Peter, “I give you what I have,” are good words by which to live. God always meets us where we are. Paul wrote, “Only let us hold true to what we have attained” (Phil. 3:16). That means to live on the level where we find ourselves today. We are not to pretend that we are better than we are or that we are worse than we are. To interpret this in the sense of giving, it means to give only what we have, nothing more and certainly nothing less.
A Christian life compares well with a funnel. The more the funnel gives out at the smaller end, the more it can receive at the larger end. The use of a funnel is limited in the amount received by the amount given out. God can give us only as we in turn pass our blessings on to others. We are told, “Give, and it will be given to you . . . for the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Luke 6:38). To be able to receive more from God means to be able to pass more on to others. It would be wise then to stop asking God for more and ask rather for grace to give what we already have. Our attention needs to be directed to the giving end and God will take care of the receiving end. “God loves a cheerful giver” because such a person offers God an opportunity to pour out His blessings freely. God works through His people. No one has yet lived that has been able to give out more than God replenishes. You just cannot get ahead of God. When the giving end is wide open, God is able to pour His blessings in faster at the receiving end. If you doubt this statement, why not put it to a test in your own life and see for yourself.
When Peter gave what he had, he gave more than the lame beggar expected. If the beggar’s heart sank when he heard Peter say, “I have no silver or gold,” he must have taken courage when he heard him say, “I give you what I have.” Then when Peter added, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk,” he received far more than he had even dared to ask. It is true that our Lord “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). However, let us not forget that our Lord uses people like Peter to act as channels through which He imparts His superabundant blessings. There would be more people receiving far more than what they ask or even think if God had more open Christians through whom He could impart His blessings.
A Christian is a channel through which God wishes to work. To impress this truth upon His disciples, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches: He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is who bears fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15 :5). Whatever is done must be done by God. As He uses the branches to bear the fruit, so He uses Christians through whom He imparts His blessings. God could have sent an angel and healed the lame beggar before Peter reached him had He wanted to do so, but He chose to use the regular channel through which He does His work—namely, His redeemed people. Therefore, it is important that everyone who confesses to be a Christian be an open channel through whom God can impart blessings.
“What I have, that give I thee” is a good motto. This statement by Peter is a key to successful, happy living. He who lives thereby will never regret it. All who have been used of God in the past have exemplified these words in their everyday life. Even people who are not Christians are captivated by such living.
To carry out this kind of living takes the grace of God. It is a grace given by God Himself to all those who want it. We have the promise, “God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).
The Lord Is Good - Maynard Force
Devotional Messages
The Lord Is Good
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7.
The above scripture divides itself into three parts and each part contains a blessing.
FEELINGS OR FAITH
“The Lord is good.” This truth Satan hates. He, therefore, tries to interrupt the events in our life to make us believe otherwise. When testing, sorrow, discouragement or death comes our way, we are prone to doubt that “the Lord is good.” Our feelings at that time are often contrary to this Word. Satan has the ability to work on our feelings and set them against God. A child of God, however, has learned that when feelings and the Word of God do not harmonize, he must pray for grace to disregard the feelings and cling only to the Word. James admonishes, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (James 4:7, 8). In due time our feelings and God’s Word will harmonize again.
The Lord has always been good to us. We have not always acknowledged it, but the fact still remains. Can you think of one time in your life when the Lord was not good? It is true there may be times when it seems that He has not been good, but when we feel that way we have misunderstood Him. He Himself has said, “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer.29:11). This promise should settle any doubt in our mind as to the Lord’s relationship to us.
The Lord lets nothing happen to His people but that which is for their good. “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). There come times in our lives when such a promise is hard to understand, but remember that the righteous must live by faith. We are not asked to understand everything, but we are asked to accept even what we do not understand by faith. Only then will be appreciate that “the Lord is good.”
WHEN TROUBLE COMES
The Lord is also “a stronghold in the day of trouble.” The day of trouble cannot be avoided for “man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). God has not promised to steer our lives around trouble, but He has promised to give us strength to be victorious in it.
Trouble can take most any form. It can be mental, physical or spiritual. At times its cause can spring from a very insignificant source, and then again, it can come from some sudden tragedy that can shake us like an earthquake. Regardless of the cause of
our trouble we have the promise—”I will be with him in trouble” (Ps. 91:15).
The Lord is very near us in the day of trouble. We do not always sense His presence but He is there just the same. The Word of God tells us “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). Had it said He is a help in time of trouble that would have been wonderful, but the promise assures us He is “a very present help.” He stands so close to us that He is ready to solve our problems.
The Lord is equipped to handle our case right now! Our verse tells us He is “a stronghold,” but a stronghold is no good unless we seek safety there. I do not know why it is but often when the day of trouble comes, we forget about our stronghold. We become so occupied with our trouble that we see nothing else. We forget that “the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble” (Ps. 37:39). David, the king, who knew what it was to go through bitter testings, said about the Lord: “Thou art a hiding place for me, thou preservest me from trouble; thou dost encompass me with deliverance” (Ps. 32:7). This is the language of all who turn to the Lord in the day of trouble. The invitation stands—”Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me” (Ps. 50:15).
HIS WONDERFUL ANSWER
The Lord “knows those who take refuge in him.” it is good to have a friend who is interested in us in the day of testing. Perhaps there is no time when we appreciate our friends more. It is at such a time that words of kindness and deeds of love have a way of touching our most tender heartstrings. “Let not your heart be troubled,” said Jesus, the best of all friends, “believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).
In the day of trouble we are prone to feel our Lord has forgotten us. Especially do such thoughts come if the day of trouble is prolonged or if trouble is added to trouble. In such critical moments, it would be well if we would pray for grace to take refuge in God’s Word and the Word alone. The Word assures us that our Lord “knows those who take refuge in him.” The psalm writer, knowing this secret, wrote: “In the day of my trouble I call on thee; for thou dost answer me” (Ps. 86:7).
Then relax, dear troubled friend, for your appeal has reached the highest authority and your problems will be solved in due time. Remember—”It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lam. 3 :26). Cling to the promise—”as your days, so shall your strength be . . .“—“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33 :25, 27).
Jehovah wants to reveal Himself to you so that you can say from experience that “The Lord is good; a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him.” Don’t be satisfied until you know Him thus!
The Lord Is Good
The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7.
The above scripture divides itself into three parts and each part contains a blessing.
FEELINGS OR FAITH
“The Lord is good.” This truth Satan hates. He, therefore, tries to interrupt the events in our life to make us believe otherwise. When testing, sorrow, discouragement or death comes our way, we are prone to doubt that “the Lord is good.” Our feelings at that time are often contrary to this Word. Satan has the ability to work on our feelings and set them against God. A child of God, however, has learned that when feelings and the Word of God do not harmonize, he must pray for grace to disregard the feelings and cling only to the Word. James admonishes, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you” (James 4:7, 8). In due time our feelings and God’s Word will harmonize again.
The Lord has always been good to us. We have not always acknowledged it, but the fact still remains. Can you think of one time in your life when the Lord was not good? It is true there may be times when it seems that He has not been good, but when we feel that way we have misunderstood Him. He Himself has said, “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer.29:11). This promise should settle any doubt in our mind as to the Lord’s relationship to us.
The Lord lets nothing happen to His people but that which is for their good. “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). There come times in our lives when such a promise is hard to understand, but remember that the righteous must live by faith. We are not asked to understand everything, but we are asked to accept even what we do not understand by faith. Only then will be appreciate that “the Lord is good.”
WHEN TROUBLE COMES
The Lord is also “a stronghold in the day of trouble.” The day of trouble cannot be avoided for “man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). God has not promised to steer our lives around trouble, but He has promised to give us strength to be victorious in it.
Trouble can take most any form. It can be mental, physical or spiritual. At times its cause can spring from a very insignificant source, and then again, it can come from some sudden tragedy that can shake us like an earthquake. Regardless of the cause of
our trouble we have the promise—”I will be with him in trouble” (Ps. 91:15).
The Lord is very near us in the day of trouble. We do not always sense His presence but He is there just the same. The Word of God tells us “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). Had it said He is a help in time of trouble that would have been wonderful, but the promise assures us He is “a very present help.” He stands so close to us that He is ready to solve our problems.
The Lord is equipped to handle our case right now! Our verse tells us He is “a stronghold,” but a stronghold is no good unless we seek safety there. I do not know why it is but often when the day of trouble comes, we forget about our stronghold. We become so occupied with our trouble that we see nothing else. We forget that “the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their refuge in the time of trouble” (Ps. 37:39). David, the king, who knew what it was to go through bitter testings, said about the Lord: “Thou art a hiding place for me, thou preservest me from trouble; thou dost encompass me with deliverance” (Ps. 32:7). This is the language of all who turn to the Lord in the day of trouble. The invitation stands—”Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me” (Ps. 50:15).
HIS WONDERFUL ANSWER
The Lord “knows those who take refuge in him.” it is good to have a friend who is interested in us in the day of testing. Perhaps there is no time when we appreciate our friends more. It is at such a time that words of kindness and deeds of love have a way of touching our most tender heartstrings. “Let not your heart be troubled,” said Jesus, the best of all friends, “believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).
In the day of trouble we are prone to feel our Lord has forgotten us. Especially do such thoughts come if the day of trouble is prolonged or if trouble is added to trouble. In such critical moments, it would be well if we would pray for grace to take refuge in God’s Word and the Word alone. The Word assures us that our Lord “knows those who take refuge in him.” The psalm writer, knowing this secret, wrote: “In the day of my trouble I call on thee; for thou dost answer me” (Ps. 86:7).
Then relax, dear troubled friend, for your appeal has reached the highest authority and your problems will be solved in due time. Remember—”It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lam. 3 :26). Cling to the promise—”as your days, so shall your strength be . . .“—“The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33 :25, 27).
Jehovah wants to reveal Himself to you so that you can say from experience that “The Lord is good; a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him.” Don’t be satisfied until you know Him thus!
Rescued from the Ditch - Maynard Force
Rescued from the Ditch
A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half-dead. Now by chance a priest was going down the road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him, And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.” Luke 10 :30-35.
For the sake of simplicity we will divide our text according to the four groups of characters that we meet with here, namely, a certain man, some robbers, a priest and a Levite, and a certain Samaritan.
It is interesting to notice that none of the characters are given any specific names. Therefore we shall try to identify them, or at least classify them, as we proceed with our message.
A WAYFARING MAN
“A man,” as the first character is called, could well be any man. It is far more impressive that Scripture did not give him a name for many names could be inserted here. Perhaps even the name you carry would be as fitting as any.
The man was “going down from Jerusalem to Jericho.” These two cities are indeed very significant. Jerusalem was by far the most important city in the land. Within its walls was the temple of the living God. It was here that the Lord met with His people in a special way and where God’s people had a chance to fellowship together. There was no place on all the earth where the people felt they were closer to God than in Jerusalem. The place was looked upon as holy ground. Besides, Jerusalem was built on a mountain, signifying also its importance.
Jericho, on the other hand, was located sixteen miles away, down in the Jordan valley, hundreds of feet below sea level. It had long been known for its wickedness. This was the first city that the Israelites destroyed after they set foot on the promised land. Before leaving the place Joshua cursed it and pronounced judgment upon whoever would rebuild it.
The certain man, we read, “was going down” from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was leaving the city of God and the fellowship of God’s people to go to a place that had been cursed. He, like so many in our day, was making his way “down.” The going must have been easy for the earth’s pull of gravity was in his favor. He no doubt had many dreams which he hoped to have realized on this journey.
His journey, like so many others, ended in the ditch. He proved to be an easy victim of the robber gang that was operating along this highway. The two words, “down” and “fell” give a very descriptive account of what happened to him. He kept going “down” until he “fell.” There his journey suddenly came to an abrupt stop. The ditch is indeed a place where many a journey has suddenly ended.
THE ROBBERS
The second group of characters that we meet with are the robbers. The exact number is not given, but there were enough to do the job. They were on the constant lookout for some wealthy Jerusalem citizen who would be making his way down this lonely road. At an unsuspected moment they pounced upon their victim and did their gruesome job.
These robbers are a type of the robber-ring that is at work in the world today. Satan, public enemy No. 1, with his host of demons are on the sharp lookout for any fool who may stroll out of a spiritual Jerusalem. He and his gang work on the basis of twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. No one who has ventured outside of a Jerusalem has been missed by this gang. It is surprising how quickly Satan and his demons can work. If the setting is right they can complete their task in a moment of time.
The robbers of our text did three things to the man. First, they “stripped him.” His covering was worth something so they must take that. The righteousness of Christ, which is the robe of every Christian, is the first thing Satan and his gang are after.
They also “stripped” him of all his other valuables. Jerusalem citizens are rich in faith. He who has faith has all, and this, too, the robber ring must have. When the Apostle Paul came to the end of his earthly journey he took inventory of his possessions and wrote, “I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4 :7). That was the only thing Paul felt was worth keeping.
Another valuable possession that Satan and his followers have stripped from many a careless soul is their purpose in life. God has a plan for every Christian’s life. It is a wonderful plan with a real purpose for living. This Satan is after and has succeeded in stealing from all who drift away from a spiritual Jerusalem.
“Stripped” is a very descriptive word. It well describes an individual who falls prey to Satan. Satan always leaves his victims stripped of all that is worth while.
The second thing that the robbers did to the man in our text was to “beat him.” They struck the poor man until he was nearly dead. Blow after blow upon his unprotected head left him senseless. He could no longer think clearly when they were through with him. All who have been struck by the satanic robbers of our day are also left in a silly stupor. Some have been left in such a sad state that they do not even care about their own salvation. They no longer realize they are dying an eternal death. Some are in such a sad plight they no longer regain consciousness. Surely any soul with a normal capacity to think would seek first “his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matt. 6 :33).
The third thing these robbers did was to leave him. They “departed, leaving him half dead.” They did not care what happened to him now. Death soon follows after the satanic robbers are through. Robbers and death are closely connected. A half dead man does not have much time to live, for there is just a short interval before death takes over. There in the ditch, agonizing in the throes of death, absolutely helpless and friendless, lies the man who once had so much hope and aspiration.
THE PRIEST AND THE LEVITE
The priest and the Levite were the first upon the scene after the tragedy. Both these men were representatives of the law and stood for the finest and best that the law could produce. They were giving their full time in the service of the temple, one as a priest and the other as an assistant. No man could be a priest unless he was in perfect health, for no one with blemishes could attain to this office.
The man in the ditch had his hope revived when he heard the approaching steps of these representatives of the law. Through his blurred eyes he could dimly see what a true specimen of manhood should be like. No matter how much he strove to be like them it did him no good. He was a victim of robbers and had lost all his strength.
The Law, which came after the fall of man, and also is the first to reach a fallen sinner, cannot save him. “If a law had been given which could make alive, then righteousness would indeed be by the law” (Gal. 3:21). But “what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do,” God, sending “his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom. 8:3, 4). Therefore, the purpose of the law is not to save. All who hope to be saved through it are sorely disappointed. God’s law shows us what we should be and thus makes sin exceedingly sinful. “If it had not been for the law I should not have known sin” (Rom. 7:7). “Through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful” (Rom. 7:13). The law merely prepares us for the one and only one who can save us. “So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ” (Gal. 3:24).
The man was in far worse agony after the priest and the Levite had left him than he was before. All hope for rescue was now gone and his misery was intensified. He had seen what he should be, but he had no power to change himself. His case, as far as he could see it, was hopeless.
A SAMARITAN
The last, and by far the greatest, character in our text is the “Samaritan.” It is interesting to note that our first character was an unnamed man, and the last one an unnamed Samaritan. The “Samaritan” is a type of Christ. He is compared to a Samaritan because they were a despised people for “Jews have no dealings with Samaritans” (John 4:9). Jesus also was “despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”
The “Samaritan” as he journeyed, came “where he was.” No journey was ever more important than the one Jesus Christ made to this earth. He came to meet us where we were. The ages of eternity will echo with praises from the redeemed that Jesus Christ condescended to make this journey. It ended on the cross, which has since become the common meeting place of all sinners. “He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the power to become children of God” (John 1:11, 12).
The Samaritan “had compassion.” There was nothing in the man that merited this help. No mention is even made about his pitiful cries. The man in the ditch had been “stripped” so he had nothing to offer and therefore could strike no bargain. That which caused the Samaritan to help him came from his own tender heart. The love that he had in his heart constrained him to stop and moved him to action. How well this compares with our God. “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
The Samaritan “went to him.” He did not expect the dying man to come to him. He let the meeting place be in the ditch where the man had fallen. There at the very spot where he had been “stripped” the Samaritan and the man meet. It is also in the ditch that Christ meets the poor sinner. For “the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).
The Samaritan first “bound up his wounds.” He did not come to scold the man or to reprimand him for his carelessness, but rather to help him. He took care of the bleeding wounds first for they were the cause of his gradual death. Christ our Saviour also attends first to the cause of our death, namely, our sins. He deals gently with these horrible gashes that are sapping the life out of us. Fear not, dear friend, when Christ touches your sins. He does so to help you. Let not your pride prevent Him from continuing. Remember the wounds can never be healed unless He binds them. The binding of the wounds may be a hurtful process but while He is doing it, console yourself with the promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The Samaritan also poured “oil and wine on the wounds.” He had with him that which was needed for healing. Christ our great Physician has a balm that will heal any wound. Every person whom He has attended will vouch for the healing power of His salve. Let me give you one sample of this balm that has brought quick healing to many a dying soul. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). No prescription is needed to get this cure. It is free for the taking. There are many more similar soothing verses where this one came from. Just open your Bible and you will find them.
The Samaritan also “set him on his own beast.” He gave up his seat to the man in the ditch. Gently, he picked him up from the rough rocks upon which he had fallen and placed him in his own private seat. How well this act compares with what Christ did for fallen sinners. He came to this earth in order to change places with the sinner. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Every sinner that Jesus saves He actually lifts up to His place. Thus the redeemed become “heirs, heirs of God, and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17). Ponder these words for they are loaded with blessings. In short, it means that all who belong to Christ belong to those whom He saves. That is what is meant by “fellow heirs with Christ.” This is indeed an exalted seat to sit in for one who has been stripped and found dying in the ditch.
The Samaritan further brought the helpless man “to an inn and took care of him.” An inn is a place where one can find shelter and nourishment. It is not a permanent place to stay like a home, but rather a rallying point for weary travelers. Christ, our Good Samaritan, has arranged a similar place of fellowship for all those whom He redeems. We call our inn the church. Here Christ can nourish us and give us fellowship with other travelers who seek shelter from this cold world. In this place people come and go. New ones are brought here and older ones leave for their permanent home. The “inn” is indeed a precious place.
The Samaritan paid the bill. “He took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him.’” Christ also expects all those whom He has redeemed to be properly cared for. He has made ample provision for everyone so that not one needs to suffer. The church is the place where Christ provides for needs. His request to those in authority is, “Take care of him.” “Feed my lambs,” and “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15, 17), were similar requests given concerning the rescued ones.
The last thing the Samaritan did was to make a promise that he would return. His parting words were, “I will repay you when I come back.” He would return some day. What comforting words these must have been to the man who had been rescued. Each day became a day of expectation. The Samaritan did not say when he would come but he did say he was coming. Our Saviour also promised before he left this earth that He would return. “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3). Jesus, like the Samaritan, did not tell us when He would return, but we know the time is drawing nigh. This present moment is the closest we have ever come to that time, One of these days He will be back. What a glorious day! The robber gang will then be destroyed. Then all those who have been rescued from the ditch will go to be forever with the Lord. In the words of Scripture, our hearts cry out, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).
A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half-dead. Now by chance a priest was going down the road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him, And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.” Luke 10 :30-35.
For the sake of simplicity we will divide our text according to the four groups of characters that we meet with here, namely, a certain man, some robbers, a priest and a Levite, and a certain Samaritan.
It is interesting to notice that none of the characters are given any specific names. Therefore we shall try to identify them, or at least classify them, as we proceed with our message.
A WAYFARING MAN
“A man,” as the first character is called, could well be any man. It is far more impressive that Scripture did not give him a name for many names could be inserted here. Perhaps even the name you carry would be as fitting as any.
The man was “going down from Jerusalem to Jericho.” These two cities are indeed very significant. Jerusalem was by far the most important city in the land. Within its walls was the temple of the living God. It was here that the Lord met with His people in a special way and where God’s people had a chance to fellowship together. There was no place on all the earth where the people felt they were closer to God than in Jerusalem. The place was looked upon as holy ground. Besides, Jerusalem was built on a mountain, signifying also its importance.
Jericho, on the other hand, was located sixteen miles away, down in the Jordan valley, hundreds of feet below sea level. It had long been known for its wickedness. This was the first city that the Israelites destroyed after they set foot on the promised land. Before leaving the place Joshua cursed it and pronounced judgment upon whoever would rebuild it.
The certain man, we read, “was going down” from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was leaving the city of God and the fellowship of God’s people to go to a place that had been cursed. He, like so many in our day, was making his way “down.” The going must have been easy for the earth’s pull of gravity was in his favor. He no doubt had many dreams which he hoped to have realized on this journey.
His journey, like so many others, ended in the ditch. He proved to be an easy victim of the robber gang that was operating along this highway. The two words, “down” and “fell” give a very descriptive account of what happened to him. He kept going “down” until he “fell.” There his journey suddenly came to an abrupt stop. The ditch is indeed a place where many a journey has suddenly ended.
THE ROBBERS
The second group of characters that we meet with are the robbers. The exact number is not given, but there were enough to do the job. They were on the constant lookout for some wealthy Jerusalem citizen who would be making his way down this lonely road. At an unsuspected moment they pounced upon their victim and did their gruesome job.
These robbers are a type of the robber-ring that is at work in the world today. Satan, public enemy No. 1, with his host of demons are on the sharp lookout for any fool who may stroll out of a spiritual Jerusalem. He and his gang work on the basis of twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. No one who has ventured outside of a Jerusalem has been missed by this gang. It is surprising how quickly Satan and his demons can work. If the setting is right they can complete their task in a moment of time.
The robbers of our text did three things to the man. First, they “stripped him.” His covering was worth something so they must take that. The righteousness of Christ, which is the robe of every Christian, is the first thing Satan and his gang are after.
They also “stripped” him of all his other valuables. Jerusalem citizens are rich in faith. He who has faith has all, and this, too, the robber ring must have. When the Apostle Paul came to the end of his earthly journey he took inventory of his possessions and wrote, “I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4 :7). That was the only thing Paul felt was worth keeping.
Another valuable possession that Satan and his followers have stripped from many a careless soul is their purpose in life. God has a plan for every Christian’s life. It is a wonderful plan with a real purpose for living. This Satan is after and has succeeded in stealing from all who drift away from a spiritual Jerusalem.
“Stripped” is a very descriptive word. It well describes an individual who falls prey to Satan. Satan always leaves his victims stripped of all that is worth while.
The second thing that the robbers did to the man in our text was to “beat him.” They struck the poor man until he was nearly dead. Blow after blow upon his unprotected head left him senseless. He could no longer think clearly when they were through with him. All who have been struck by the satanic robbers of our day are also left in a silly stupor. Some have been left in such a sad state that they do not even care about their own salvation. They no longer realize they are dying an eternal death. Some are in such a sad plight they no longer regain consciousness. Surely any soul with a normal capacity to think would seek first “his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matt. 6 :33).
The third thing these robbers did was to leave him. They “departed, leaving him half dead.” They did not care what happened to him now. Death soon follows after the satanic robbers are through. Robbers and death are closely connected. A half dead man does not have much time to live, for there is just a short interval before death takes over. There in the ditch, agonizing in the throes of death, absolutely helpless and friendless, lies the man who once had so much hope and aspiration.
THE PRIEST AND THE LEVITE
The priest and the Levite were the first upon the scene after the tragedy. Both these men were representatives of the law and stood for the finest and best that the law could produce. They were giving their full time in the service of the temple, one as a priest and the other as an assistant. No man could be a priest unless he was in perfect health, for no one with blemishes could attain to this office.
The man in the ditch had his hope revived when he heard the approaching steps of these representatives of the law. Through his blurred eyes he could dimly see what a true specimen of manhood should be like. No matter how much he strove to be like them it did him no good. He was a victim of robbers and had lost all his strength.
The Law, which came after the fall of man, and also is the first to reach a fallen sinner, cannot save him. “If a law had been given which could make alive, then righteousness would indeed be by the law” (Gal. 3:21). But “what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do,” God, sending “his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom. 8:3, 4). Therefore, the purpose of the law is not to save. All who hope to be saved through it are sorely disappointed. God’s law shows us what we should be and thus makes sin exceedingly sinful. “If it had not been for the law I should not have known sin” (Rom. 7:7). “Through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful” (Rom. 7:13). The law merely prepares us for the one and only one who can save us. “So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ” (Gal. 3:24).
The man was in far worse agony after the priest and the Levite had left him than he was before. All hope for rescue was now gone and his misery was intensified. He had seen what he should be, but he had no power to change himself. His case, as far as he could see it, was hopeless.
A SAMARITAN
The last, and by far the greatest, character in our text is the “Samaritan.” It is interesting to note that our first character was an unnamed man, and the last one an unnamed Samaritan. The “Samaritan” is a type of Christ. He is compared to a Samaritan because they were a despised people for “Jews have no dealings with Samaritans” (John 4:9). Jesus also was “despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”
The “Samaritan” as he journeyed, came “where he was.” No journey was ever more important than the one Jesus Christ made to this earth. He came to meet us where we were. The ages of eternity will echo with praises from the redeemed that Jesus Christ condescended to make this journey. It ended on the cross, which has since become the common meeting place of all sinners. “He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the power to become children of God” (John 1:11, 12).
The Samaritan “had compassion.” There was nothing in the man that merited this help. No mention is even made about his pitiful cries. The man in the ditch had been “stripped” so he had nothing to offer and therefore could strike no bargain. That which caused the Samaritan to help him came from his own tender heart. The love that he had in his heart constrained him to stop and moved him to action. How well this compares with our God. “In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
The Samaritan “went to him.” He did not expect the dying man to come to him. He let the meeting place be in the ditch where the man had fallen. There at the very spot where he had been “stripped” the Samaritan and the man meet. It is also in the ditch that Christ meets the poor sinner. For “the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).
The Samaritan first “bound up his wounds.” He did not come to scold the man or to reprimand him for his carelessness, but rather to help him. He took care of the bleeding wounds first for they were the cause of his gradual death. Christ our Saviour also attends first to the cause of our death, namely, our sins. He deals gently with these horrible gashes that are sapping the life out of us. Fear not, dear friend, when Christ touches your sins. He does so to help you. Let not your pride prevent Him from continuing. Remember the wounds can never be healed unless He binds them. The binding of the wounds may be a hurtful process but while He is doing it, console yourself with the promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
The Samaritan also poured “oil and wine on the wounds.” He had with him that which was needed for healing. Christ our great Physician has a balm that will heal any wound. Every person whom He has attended will vouch for the healing power of His salve. Let me give you one sample of this balm that has brought quick healing to many a dying soul. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). No prescription is needed to get this cure. It is free for the taking. There are many more similar soothing verses where this one came from. Just open your Bible and you will find them.
The Samaritan also “set him on his own beast.” He gave up his seat to the man in the ditch. Gently, he picked him up from the rough rocks upon which he had fallen and placed him in his own private seat. How well this act compares with what Christ did for fallen sinners. He came to this earth in order to change places with the sinner. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Every sinner that Jesus saves He actually lifts up to His place. Thus the redeemed become “heirs, heirs of God, and fellow heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17). Ponder these words for they are loaded with blessings. In short, it means that all who belong to Christ belong to those whom He saves. That is what is meant by “fellow heirs with Christ.” This is indeed an exalted seat to sit in for one who has been stripped and found dying in the ditch.
The Samaritan further brought the helpless man “to an inn and took care of him.” An inn is a place where one can find shelter and nourishment. It is not a permanent place to stay like a home, but rather a rallying point for weary travelers. Christ, our Good Samaritan, has arranged a similar place of fellowship for all those whom He redeems. We call our inn the church. Here Christ can nourish us and give us fellowship with other travelers who seek shelter from this cold world. In this place people come and go. New ones are brought here and older ones leave for their permanent home. The “inn” is indeed a precious place.
The Samaritan paid the bill. “He took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him.’” Christ also expects all those whom He has redeemed to be properly cared for. He has made ample provision for everyone so that not one needs to suffer. The church is the place where Christ provides for needs. His request to those in authority is, “Take care of him.” “Feed my lambs,” and “Feed my sheep” (John 21:15, 17), were similar requests given concerning the rescued ones.
The last thing the Samaritan did was to make a promise that he would return. His parting words were, “I will repay you when I come back.” He would return some day. What comforting words these must have been to the man who had been rescued. Each day became a day of expectation. The Samaritan did not say when he would come but he did say he was coming. Our Saviour also promised before he left this earth that He would return. “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3). Jesus, like the Samaritan, did not tell us when He would return, but we know the time is drawing nigh. This present moment is the closest we have ever come to that time, One of these days He will be back. What a glorious day! The robber gang will then be destroyed. Then all those who have been rescued from the ditch will go to be forever with the Lord. In the words of Scripture, our hearts cry out, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).
Lazarus-the Unheralded Missionary - Maynard Force
Lazarus—the Unheralded Missionary
There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And lie called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.” But Abraham said, “Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may pass from there to us.” And he said, “Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” But A bra- ham said, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” And he said, “No, father A bra- ham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.” Luke 16:19-31.
Our text introduces us to a man by the name of Lazarus. A name which means, “God has helped.” This name is not common for there are only two people who carry that name in the entire Bible. Although our text does not call Lazarus a missionary, he nevertheless is just that—not only a missionary but one of the greatest missionaries that ever lived. We will, therefore, proceed to get better acquainted with him as such.
HIS FIELD
Every missionary has a mission field, that is, an appointed place where he is to serve his Lord. Some missionaries are given large fields like those in China, India and Africa where the souls entrusted to them number in millions. Other missionaries are given smaller fields with fewer souls to which to minister. Lazarus was given a very limited field —it consisted mainly of one man, “a rich man.” Even though the world was in dire need of missionaries, God had ordained that this one rich man should constitute, in the main, Lazarus’ field. The rich man’s soul was indeed valuable in God’s sight since He put forth so much effort to win it.
Some mission fields are small. There are those who have been commissioned to do their work in a Sunday school, with a class of a few boys or girls. Others may have even a more limited field. For example, some saintly grandparents, whose health forbids them to leave the house, must do their witnessing to their grandchildren and an occasional visitor who may show them some interest. Still others who have been called to serve God in the home may have even a more limited field.
The field that God gives should never be despised because of its size. We are told that “he who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much” (Luke 16:10).
How would you like to have a one-man mission field? It would take more grace to be faithful in such a small field than in a larger one. It is interesting to notice that Lazarus, as far as we know, never complained about his field of service. He could say with Paul, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:11).
HIS HEALTH
A missionary’s health is very important. No mission board wants to send a candidate out to a mission field who will not be able to hold out physically. For that reason, many prospective missionaries do not pass the rigid physical examination and are rejected.
Lazarus’ health was poor. God had so ordained that this missionary should live in a frail body, “full of sores.” Pain and suffering were common to him. Abraham said of Lazarus that during his “lifetime” he received “evil things.” He knew what it was to like awake nights and suffer.
Why some of God’s people should have weak and broken bodies while others have the best of physical health is a matter for God Himself to decide. If we can glorify God better in physical weakness, then let us pray for grace to say with Paul, “I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9).
It isn’t likely that Lazarus was good looking. The running “sores” would have disqualified him from any beauty contest. Had his picture been put on a poster or handbill, it no doubt would have been repulsive to some. He would have made a poor prospective candidate to serve in a modern church. Had the rich man had a chance to choose his own spiritual adviser, he surely would have cast his vote for one with better looks. It is God, however, who calls His workers and He uses an altogether different system. “The Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). It does not appear that Lazarus ever complained about his health.
HIS SALARY
Most people are vitally interested in their salary. Their one concern seems to be what they will get in return for their services. Missionaries, too, must live, so most mission boards stipulate a set salary.
Lazarus’ salary was small. We read that he desired “to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table.” He didn’t desire to live like the rich man but only to get some of the crumbs. Lazarus was satisfied to get what others did not want. His menu was indeed modest. I’m sure he knew what it meant to tighten his belt.
Lazarus was a beggar. All God’s servants are beggars in one sense of the word. They have nothing in themselves and are entirely dependent upon the Lord to sustain them. Therefore, they come daily to the throne of mercy and plead for help. There they also plead for other souls who do not care about their eternal salvation. Their entire life becomes one of asking or to put it stronger, begging. Often, less sympathetic people call God’s people beggars. They accuse them of always begging—first for this cause and then for some other cause.
Most missionaries live off the crumbs. That is what is left after we are satisfied. We, like the rich man, usually take good care of those within our own households and then toss the crumbs to the missionaries. It takes no grace from God to give the crumbs. We would throw them away anyway, therefore, we steer some of them to the cause of missions and get as our reward a relieved conscience. Missionary Lazarus did not complain about his salary; he took what he got and said nothing. Truly, “there is great gain with contentment.”
HIS FRIENDS
One of the missionary’s greatest temptations is to become lonely. Even though there may be hundreds and thousands of people milling around him, yet there come times when Christian fellowship is at a premium. Rebellious thoughts can then come that otherwise would never enter his mind. Therefore, it is always good to have Christian friends to turn to when the going becomes difficult. To meet a Christian when you feel lonely is, indeed, tonic. No one has ever complained of getting an overdose of this. Therefore, missionaries crave all the Christian fellowship that they can find and long for more.
Missionary Lazarus had no friends as far as we know. Had there been some, they would not have let him lead a beggar’s life. It is true, there must have been those who helped carry him out to the rich man’s estate and laid him there at the gate but whoever did the job soon forgot about him. You know, the easiest people on earth to forget are the missionaries. When once they have been helped to their field of service, it is so easy to leave them there and not even contact them any more—-to say nothing of remembering them in prayer.
God arranged it so that “the dogs came and licked his sores.” Even though Lazarus was competing with them for the crumbs still they befriended him to the extent of licking the matter off his festering sores. What an opportunity this would have been for someone who wanted to serve God, to have come before the dogs to this place and extended a hand of love to Lazarus. May we never forget the words of Jesus when He said, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matt. 25 :40). Perhaps not too far from where we are there is some lonely Christian who is in dire need of encouragement. At our gate, also, lie many opportunities. Hands of need are reaching out to us for aid that we may sustain them so that the cause of Christ can still live on. Will we, like the rich man, starve them at our very gates? It is challenging to observe that Lazarus never complained that he had been left in such a lonely place.
HIS PULPIT
Every true pastor and missionary loves his own pulpit. Effort is put forth to arrange everything so that when the message is given, conditions are at their best. Churches are constructed so as to create an atmosphere of worship. Songs are sung, Scripture read, and prayer is offered so that the setting may be the most favorable.
Missionary Lazarus did not have that setting, however. His pulpit was the gate. He witnessed under discouraging circumstances. He had to make the best out of the few moments allotted to him as the rich man came and went through this narrow place. He surely must have been time-conscious as he spoke forth the Word to this busy rich man.
The average man would have given up in despair. Not so with missionary Lazarus. He saw no results of his work, yet he kept on. He had been divinely called and was determined to be faithful until death. He could say with Paul, “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord
Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20 :24).
No efforts were put forth by Lazarus to get moved to another place of easier service. His name, which meant “My God has helped,” was a good reminder to look always in the right direction for His guidance. It was God who had chosen his field of service and he would not make an effort to leave—no, not even under the most discouraging circumstances. Lazarus was not of the complaining kind—he stayed where God put him.
HIS DEATH
The day came when Lazarus died. “It came to pass that the beggar died.” Notice that the last reference made to him on earth is as a beggar. He died while at his post. Nothing is said about his funeral. In fact, it doesn’t even say he was buried. It does record about the rich man that he “died and was buried.” Evidently the funeral service was of no importance, that is, if there was one. No letters of condolence were read at his death. No memorial funds were gathered to keep his name alive. It is unlikely that any church, school, hospital, or institution of any kind has been named after him.
When Lazarus died he “was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.” Angels were at hand to carry him through the “valley of the shadow of death” so he need “fear no evil” (Ps. 23:4). Angels are at hand in the moment of death to escort God’s people to their heavenly home. What a glorious moment death must be for a child of God. No wonder the scripture tells us, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15), for “He will be our guide for ever” (Ps 48:14). Some of the departing saints, during their last moments on earth, see the angels come for them. They even tell those who are standing by them what a glorious sight this is. The bystander sees nothing but realizes from the expression on the face of the departing one that it must be wonderful.
HIS REWARD
Lazarus was carried to “Abraham’s bosom.” He was placed with the greatest of God’s people— Abraham. Isn’t it good to see these two names together? Lazarus, a former beggar, and Abraham, a former man of wealth, both in the same place.
This was a place of comfort. Abraham speaking about Lazarus said, “He is comforted here.” Lazarus, who knew little or nothing of physical comfort while he was on earth, is now enjoying to the full the comforts of heaven. He who had waited so patiently during the testing years on earth now is enjoying the reality of God’s promises.
This scene of Lazarus in glory is one of the few places in the Bible where God draws aside the veil that hides the future to let us peer in. He could have shown us thousands of other characters such as Moses, Jeremiah, or Isaiah who are also in glory but He chose to show us Lazarus. Is it not significant that when God would show us a successful man, He chose Lazarus—the missionary who never won his man. We are so prone to think that the successful men are those who have won thousands of souls. To be sure, they are men of success but they are not the only ones. Our text would teach us that Lazarus, too, was a great man for he takes his place with Abraham and yet he did not win the rich man.
Lazarus was given a great compliment by the rich man when he requested, “Send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers so that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.” The rich man could now have requested any missionary to go to his father’s house but he chose Lazarus; Lazarus, who had witnessed to him at the gate, the man full of sores, the man of God whom he had rejected. Evidently Lazarus had done such a thorough job in witnessing that the poor rich man wanted him to go to his brothers. At least, in Hades he could not point an accusing finger at him and say, “Why didn’t you warn me?” Rather, he pleaded that this one-time, unheralded missionary be sent back to earth to testify again.
CONCLUSION
Lazarus’ work was done. He, therefore, could not be sent back to earth to testify to the relatives of the rich man. Someone else would have to preach the “law and the prophets” to them. The descendants of the rich man, however, are still living. More missionaries like Lazarus are needed to lay themselves down at their gates to testify to them. God is looking for more men like Lazarus, who will not despise small fields and who will testify under adverse conditions. Won’t you pray the Father of the harvest that He may send more such laborers to do His work? How about yourself as a prospect?
There was a rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, full of sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried; and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom. And lie called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.” But Abraham said, “Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may pass from there to us.” And he said, “Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” But A bra- ham said, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” And he said, “No, father A bra- ham; but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead.” Luke 16:19-31.
Our text introduces us to a man by the name of Lazarus. A name which means, “God has helped.” This name is not common for there are only two people who carry that name in the entire Bible. Although our text does not call Lazarus a missionary, he nevertheless is just that—not only a missionary but one of the greatest missionaries that ever lived. We will, therefore, proceed to get better acquainted with him as such.
HIS FIELD
Every missionary has a mission field, that is, an appointed place where he is to serve his Lord. Some missionaries are given large fields like those in China, India and Africa where the souls entrusted to them number in millions. Other missionaries are given smaller fields with fewer souls to which to minister. Lazarus was given a very limited field —it consisted mainly of one man, “a rich man.” Even though the world was in dire need of missionaries, God had ordained that this one rich man should constitute, in the main, Lazarus’ field. The rich man’s soul was indeed valuable in God’s sight since He put forth so much effort to win it.
Some mission fields are small. There are those who have been commissioned to do their work in a Sunday school, with a class of a few boys or girls. Others may have even a more limited field. For example, some saintly grandparents, whose health forbids them to leave the house, must do their witnessing to their grandchildren and an occasional visitor who may show them some interest. Still others who have been called to serve God in the home may have even a more limited field.
The field that God gives should never be despised because of its size. We are told that “he who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much: and he who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much” (Luke 16:10).
How would you like to have a one-man mission field? It would take more grace to be faithful in such a small field than in a larger one. It is interesting to notice that Lazarus, as far as we know, never complained about his field of service. He could say with Paul, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Phil. 4:11).
HIS HEALTH
A missionary’s health is very important. No mission board wants to send a candidate out to a mission field who will not be able to hold out physically. For that reason, many prospective missionaries do not pass the rigid physical examination and are rejected.
Lazarus’ health was poor. God had so ordained that this missionary should live in a frail body, “full of sores.” Pain and suffering were common to him. Abraham said of Lazarus that during his “lifetime” he received “evil things.” He knew what it was to like awake nights and suffer.
Why some of God’s people should have weak and broken bodies while others have the best of physical health is a matter for God Himself to decide. If we can glorify God better in physical weakness, then let us pray for grace to say with Paul, “I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9).
It isn’t likely that Lazarus was good looking. The running “sores” would have disqualified him from any beauty contest. Had his picture been put on a poster or handbill, it no doubt would have been repulsive to some. He would have made a poor prospective candidate to serve in a modern church. Had the rich man had a chance to choose his own spiritual adviser, he surely would have cast his vote for one with better looks. It is God, however, who calls His workers and He uses an altogether different system. “The Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). It does not appear that Lazarus ever complained about his health.
HIS SALARY
Most people are vitally interested in their salary. Their one concern seems to be what they will get in return for their services. Missionaries, too, must live, so most mission boards stipulate a set salary.
Lazarus’ salary was small. We read that he desired “to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table.” He didn’t desire to live like the rich man but only to get some of the crumbs. Lazarus was satisfied to get what others did not want. His menu was indeed modest. I’m sure he knew what it meant to tighten his belt.
Lazarus was a beggar. All God’s servants are beggars in one sense of the word. They have nothing in themselves and are entirely dependent upon the Lord to sustain them. Therefore, they come daily to the throne of mercy and plead for help. There they also plead for other souls who do not care about their eternal salvation. Their entire life becomes one of asking or to put it stronger, begging. Often, less sympathetic people call God’s people beggars. They accuse them of always begging—first for this cause and then for some other cause.
Most missionaries live off the crumbs. That is what is left after we are satisfied. We, like the rich man, usually take good care of those within our own households and then toss the crumbs to the missionaries. It takes no grace from God to give the crumbs. We would throw them away anyway, therefore, we steer some of them to the cause of missions and get as our reward a relieved conscience. Missionary Lazarus did not complain about his salary; he took what he got and said nothing. Truly, “there is great gain with contentment.”
HIS FRIENDS
One of the missionary’s greatest temptations is to become lonely. Even though there may be hundreds and thousands of people milling around him, yet there come times when Christian fellowship is at a premium. Rebellious thoughts can then come that otherwise would never enter his mind. Therefore, it is always good to have Christian friends to turn to when the going becomes difficult. To meet a Christian when you feel lonely is, indeed, tonic. No one has ever complained of getting an overdose of this. Therefore, missionaries crave all the Christian fellowship that they can find and long for more.
Missionary Lazarus had no friends as far as we know. Had there been some, they would not have let him lead a beggar’s life. It is true, there must have been those who helped carry him out to the rich man’s estate and laid him there at the gate but whoever did the job soon forgot about him. You know, the easiest people on earth to forget are the missionaries. When once they have been helped to their field of service, it is so easy to leave them there and not even contact them any more—-to say nothing of remembering them in prayer.
God arranged it so that “the dogs came and licked his sores.” Even though Lazarus was competing with them for the crumbs still they befriended him to the extent of licking the matter off his festering sores. What an opportunity this would have been for someone who wanted to serve God, to have come before the dogs to this place and extended a hand of love to Lazarus. May we never forget the words of Jesus when He said, “As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matt. 25 :40). Perhaps not too far from where we are there is some lonely Christian who is in dire need of encouragement. At our gate, also, lie many opportunities. Hands of need are reaching out to us for aid that we may sustain them so that the cause of Christ can still live on. Will we, like the rich man, starve them at our very gates? It is challenging to observe that Lazarus never complained that he had been left in such a lonely place.
HIS PULPIT
Every true pastor and missionary loves his own pulpit. Effort is put forth to arrange everything so that when the message is given, conditions are at their best. Churches are constructed so as to create an atmosphere of worship. Songs are sung, Scripture read, and prayer is offered so that the setting may be the most favorable.
Missionary Lazarus did not have that setting, however. His pulpit was the gate. He witnessed under discouraging circumstances. He had to make the best out of the few moments allotted to him as the rich man came and went through this narrow place. He surely must have been time-conscious as he spoke forth the Word to this busy rich man.
The average man would have given up in despair. Not so with missionary Lazarus. He saw no results of his work, yet he kept on. He had been divinely called and was determined to be faithful until death. He could say with Paul, “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord
Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20 :24).
No efforts were put forth by Lazarus to get moved to another place of easier service. His name, which meant “My God has helped,” was a good reminder to look always in the right direction for His guidance. It was God who had chosen his field of service and he would not make an effort to leave—no, not even under the most discouraging circumstances. Lazarus was not of the complaining kind—he stayed where God put him.
HIS DEATH
The day came when Lazarus died. “It came to pass that the beggar died.” Notice that the last reference made to him on earth is as a beggar. He died while at his post. Nothing is said about his funeral. In fact, it doesn’t even say he was buried. It does record about the rich man that he “died and was buried.” Evidently the funeral service was of no importance, that is, if there was one. No letters of condolence were read at his death. No memorial funds were gathered to keep his name alive. It is unlikely that any church, school, hospital, or institution of any kind has been named after him.
When Lazarus died he “was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom.” Angels were at hand to carry him through the “valley of the shadow of death” so he need “fear no evil” (Ps. 23:4). Angels are at hand in the moment of death to escort God’s people to their heavenly home. What a glorious moment death must be for a child of God. No wonder the scripture tells us, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15), for “He will be our guide for ever” (Ps 48:14). Some of the departing saints, during their last moments on earth, see the angels come for them. They even tell those who are standing by them what a glorious sight this is. The bystander sees nothing but realizes from the expression on the face of the departing one that it must be wonderful.
HIS REWARD
Lazarus was carried to “Abraham’s bosom.” He was placed with the greatest of God’s people— Abraham. Isn’t it good to see these two names together? Lazarus, a former beggar, and Abraham, a former man of wealth, both in the same place.
This was a place of comfort. Abraham speaking about Lazarus said, “He is comforted here.” Lazarus, who knew little or nothing of physical comfort while he was on earth, is now enjoying to the full the comforts of heaven. He who had waited so patiently during the testing years on earth now is enjoying the reality of God’s promises.
This scene of Lazarus in glory is one of the few places in the Bible where God draws aside the veil that hides the future to let us peer in. He could have shown us thousands of other characters such as Moses, Jeremiah, or Isaiah who are also in glory but He chose to show us Lazarus. Is it not significant that when God would show us a successful man, He chose Lazarus—the missionary who never won his man. We are so prone to think that the successful men are those who have won thousands of souls. To be sure, they are men of success but they are not the only ones. Our text would teach us that Lazarus, too, was a great man for he takes his place with Abraham and yet he did not win the rich man.
Lazarus was given a great compliment by the rich man when he requested, “Send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers so that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.” The rich man could now have requested any missionary to go to his father’s house but he chose Lazarus; Lazarus, who had witnessed to him at the gate, the man full of sores, the man of God whom he had rejected. Evidently Lazarus had done such a thorough job in witnessing that the poor rich man wanted him to go to his brothers. At least, in Hades he could not point an accusing finger at him and say, “Why didn’t you warn me?” Rather, he pleaded that this one-time, unheralded missionary be sent back to earth to testify again.
CONCLUSION
Lazarus’ work was done. He, therefore, could not be sent back to earth to testify to the relatives of the rich man. Someone else would have to preach the “law and the prophets” to them. The descendants of the rich man, however, are still living. More missionaries like Lazarus are needed to lay themselves down at their gates to testify to them. God is looking for more men like Lazarus, who will not despise small fields and who will testify under adverse conditions. Won’t you pray the Father of the harvest that He may send more such laborers to do His work? How about yourself as a prospect?
Friday, July 9, 2010
Cities of Refuge - Maynard Force
Cities of Refuge
Pastor Maynard Force
From, "Our Refuge and Strength"
Then the Lord said to Joshua, Say to the people of Israel, Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent or unwittingly may flee there; they shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood. He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city, and explain his case to the elders of that city; then they shall take him into the city, and give him a place, and he shall remain with them. And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not give up the slayer into his hand; because he killed his neighbor unwittingly, having had no enmity against him in times past. And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time: then the slayer may go again to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled. So they set apart Kedesh. . . and Shechem and Hebron. . . and Bezer . . and Ramoth . and Golan. Joshua 20:1-8.The Lord gave command that six cities of Israel should be set aside as “cities of refuge.” These cities were located in strategic places so that any Israelite who needed their protection could have access to them.
The purpose of these cities was to provide protection for anyone who accidentally killed someone. The law was so rigid that it made no provision for an accidental death. The law demanded “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” That meant that if someone knocked out his neighbor’s tooth, he would have to forfeit one of his own as punishment. If an eye was put out, the guilty party would have to forfeit one of his eyes. If a life was taken, the law required the life of the guilty party.
God in His infinite mercy here made provision apart from the law appointing cities of refuge that the manslayer who killed any person without intent or unwittingly might flee there. These cities would be to him a refuge from the avenger of blood (v. 3). Here, indeed, we find the message of the gospel hidden away in the Old Testament.
The provision made for the manslayer is a type of salvation as we find it later revealed in the New Testament. This incident is a mere shadow of what was to come in the fullness of time. A shadow, however, always corresponds to the thing that made it. This is true also of this text as we compare it with Christ who later came to give His life as a ransom.
We will note five things about the manslayer that compare with the experience of a soul who seeks salvation in Jesus Christ.
SEE
The manslayer must first see that he has committed a horrible crime. When he beholds his companion whom he has accidentally killed lying on the ground dead, he must realize that he has done something that he is powerless to make right. No matter what he tries to do, he cannot undo his crime. If he were to shed buckets of tears, it would not bring life to the dead man. If he were to shout at the top of his voice that he was sorry, the dead man would not move a limb. If he were to bring all his wealth and lay it beside his dead companion, no life would be restored. If he were to condemn himself for his carelessness and afflict himself severely, still his dead companion would lie motionless. The crime is of such a nature that it renders the manslayer helpless. Sin is always like that. Whenever we sin, we have committed an act that we cannot undo. We are like the manslayer who has killed his companion. All our efforts cannot undo one sin. Blessed is the day when sin becomes as gruesome to us as killing. Then our hearts will melt with godly sorrow and we will cry out as David, “I know my trangressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3).
The Holy Spirit stands ready to reveal to all of us the horribleness of sin. That is His work, for Jesus said of Him, “And when he comes he will convince the world of sin” (John 16:8). Until the Holy Spirit has been given the opportunity to show us what sin really is, we have not taken the first step toward salvation. Many people are trying to find salvation by ignoring this unpleasant truth, but they are finding nothing. It takes this conviction of the Holy Spirit to bring about “a broken and contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17).
The manslayer needed to see that he had committed a crime that brought upon him the penalty of death. He had committed an act that required his life. What a staggering blow this must have been to him. When the verdict of death is given in our courts, the guilty party often faints. There is no jesting or foolishness then. The most sober moment of a man’s life has come. He is awakened so that every nerve in his body is alert. God would have all sinners see that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23) and that “a soul that sins shall die” (Ezek. 18 :4). The apostle Paul came to the place where he cried out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom. 7 :24). God would have His holy law convict us “so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God” (Rom. 3 :19). Until this happens, the law has not done its work and we are not ready for the gospel.
FLEE
As soon as the manslayer realizes his predicament, he is instructed to “flee to one of these cities” (v. 4). The nearest relative of the dead man, called in our text “the avenger of blood,” is in duty bound to pursue the manslayer; and, if he can overtake him before he enters a city of refuge, he is to kill him. Therefore, the sooner the guilty one gets started for his only place of refuge, the better for him.
He who runs for his life runs with all the speed he has. A friend of mine was once pursued by his hired man who had suddenly gone insane. When he saw the butcher knife in the hand of this madman, he ran as he had never run before. He said his feet hardly touched the ground. By exerting all his strength, he was able to outrun his pursuer and thus saved his life.
He who realizes he has sinned is instructed to “flee” to a place of safety. “Flee” is a strong word. It means action, immediate action. God expects the sinner to place the pursuit of salvation first in his life. Loved ones, home, friends, work, ambitions, pleasures and all other interests must take second place. Moses said to the Israelites, “You will seek the Lord your God, and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deut. 4:29). The apostle Paul, speaking about himself, said, “One thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal (Phil. 3 :13-14). He who “flees” has as his heart’s desire the safety of his own precious soul.
To disregard God’s instructions m e a ii s certain death, for “those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed” (Isa. 1:28). When God gives specific directions as to where to flee, lie expects the refugee to go there.
It is sad that many distressed people are lured to places where there is no safety. Some flee to what we shall call the city of good works. Here they busily engage themselves in some good work, perhaps even church work, hoping that by so doing they will be saved. Others flee to the city of forgetfulness arid try their utmost to forget the past. Still others cross oceans and continents thinking the city of a new start will solve their problem. The city of pleasure is over-crowded with poor sinners who are trying to get away from an accusing conscience. There are no end of cities trying to entice a poor sinner to hide within their crowded quarters.
He who flees to Jesus Christ, the one and only place of safety that God has provided, will have no regrets. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). To encourage all guilty sinners to keep coming, Jesus has also said, “Him who comes to me I will not case out” (John 6:37). Such verses should encourage all to flee and to flee fast to Jesus Christ, our city of refuge.
PLEA
The manslayer is also told to “stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city.” Now is the time for him to make his plea. The elders of the city are gathered before the gate ready to listen with sympathetic ears. This is the manslayer’s one and only stopping place.
The manslayer must tell what he has done before he can be admitted. God’s instructions state that he must “explain his case to the elders.” He must speak out and rehearse what has taken place regardless of how badly he may feel. He is not asked to make any excuses but to tell everything.
I
t was not easy for the manslayer to run and it was not easy for him to confess his guilt. No doubt he sobbed out his story to these sympathetic listeners. He who comes to the city of refuge and brags about himself or has no sin to confess can never gain entrance. The requirement for entrance is a confession of guilt. How simple God makes it for the erring one.
He who comes to Jesus Christ in prayer and confesses his guilt comes to our city of refuge. Jesus has said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy- laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). It is here where a weary sinner can come and make his plea. Jesus eagerly awaits a full and complete confession of our sins. A promise has been given, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Weary friend, never hesitate to tell all that you have done. Remember “all things are laid open and naked before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Our Lord does not scold a sinner. He loves him. If you find it hard to “explain” your case, pray for grace and you will find the needed strength. Our God “is a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). It is never easy for an individual to “explain his case.” Satan knows that once this is done, the weary will find rest. Therefore, the powers of hell are concentrated on one who is ready to be obedient in this respect. Many who have come to Christ have been hindered by their pride from telling all. Such find no rest but are continually pursued by the avenger of blood.
The avenger of blood is a type of the law. It gives no rest to a sinner but hounds him day and night. Its purpose is to keep working in our hearts until it has driven us to Christ. Paul writing to the Galatians said, “The law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Gal. 3:24 A.R.V.).
FREE
Confession leads to freedom, which we note is the fourth experience of the manslayer. When the man- slayer has finished his confession, the elders are instructed to “take him into the city, and give him a place, and he shall remain with them . . . they shall not give up the slayer to him (the avenger)” (v. 4- 5). On the part of the manslayer there was no worthiness whatsoever that gave him entrance into the city but his telling the elders what a failure he had been permitted him to enter. This is, indeed, a perfect resemblance to the way of salvation.
The manslayer is brought “into the city” to a place of safety from the avenger of blood. When the gates close behind him, he is promised protection from his most feared enemy. He also who comes to the Saviour “is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). There is no safer hiding place.
The manslayer is also given a place of fellowship. The elders were instructed to “give him a place, and he shall remain with them.” The man-slayer was not to look for some place of existence in some far away corner but he was to be given a place “with them.” In the city of refuge lived the priests and Levites, men who devoted themselves to the service of their God. They were the cream of the land. It was here with the best of the people, people interested in God’s work, that the manslayer found fellowship.
Once an individual finds refuge in Jesus Christ, he, too, is brought into fellowship with the best of people, the redeemed. The family of Jesus Christ becomes his family. His associates become those who are interested in promoting the kingdom of God. People whom he never knew before suddenly become his best friends. This is one of the pleasant surprises that awaits a convert.
The elders are further instructed that “they shall not give up the slayer” to the avenger. This poor man is to be treated as one of their own. His former faults are not to be held against him. We find here good advice for older Christians. Newborn Christians are their responsibility. Do not let gossip cause you to deliver up one that God has placed in your fellowship. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another” (John 13:34). We have a responsibility to all who join our fellowship. Let us surround them with our prayers and Christian love.
Even though the elders were instructed not to give him up, God gives warning to the manslayer in another account of this story. “If the manslayer shall at any time go beyond the border of his city of refuge to which he fled, and the avenger finds him outside the bounds of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood slays the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood” (Numbers 35 :26-27). It is possible then for one who has sought refuge in this place of protection to leave it and be killed. The manslayer is not bound in the city of refuge. He is free. Free to enjoy the privileges of God’s people and free to leave if he so wishes. This same liberty is given a seeking soul. He is free to flee to Christ for protection and he is free to leave if he so desires. Christ forces no man to abide in Him.
JUBILEE
The fifth and last thing we observe about the manslayer is that he is to dwell in the city of refuge until “the death of him who is high priest at the time: then the slayer may go again to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled” (v. 6).
A death is necessary if the manslayer is to return to his home—the death of the high priest. When the news reached the cities of refuge that the high priest had died, the city gates were thrown open and all who had fled there for safety were free to go home. The avenger of blood was rendered powerless at the death of the high priest. He had no right now to touch the manslayer or even threaten him. Had a thousand priests died, the avenger of blood would have been just as bold; but when the one and only high priest died, he lost all his power.
Jesus Christ is known as the “merciful and faithful high priest” (Heb. 2:17). He “has appeared once for all . . . to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Heb. 9:26). Because of His death, all sinners who believe on Him are set free. He who realizes what he has in the death of Jesus Christ can face his fiercest accuser with no fear for he is confident that “the blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
If the manslayer living in Old Testament times had confidence in the death of his high priest, how much more confidence should we not have in the death of Jesus Christ, our High Priest. Ponder again what is yours because of Christ’s death. Never forget that He “has appeared . . . to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Heb. 9:26). Jesus’ atoning death is sufficient to cause any sinner to be jubilant.
The manslayer had nothing of which he could boast. His hope was in the death of another. We poor sinners have nothing either in which we can boast. Our hope also lies in the death of another, our beloved Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Even as the manslayer could go back home and start anew, so all who seek refuge in Christ can do likewise. “Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17).
We have followed the manslayer in five simple steps: namely, see, flee, plea, free, and jubilee. These are steps that saved the manslayer. Have you, dear friend, taken the steps that can save you?
Saturday, February 20, 2010
"He Has Done All things Well" - Maynard Force
“He Has Done All Things Well”
And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.”
The words, “He has done all things well,” were spoken about Jesus. In fact, these words can refer only to Him. It might be said of some of us that we have done some things well but never that we have done “all things well.”
The words of our text are worth memorizing for they are words that have eternal significance. They can be used constantly here on earth when reviewing Christ’s dealings with us, and the ages of eternity will not be long enough to exhaust their use.
Sometimes we may find it difficult to understand that “He has done all things well” but that fact remains true just the same. Often it takes years to understand that even when we go through trials and testings, our Lord is doing all things well.
Our text tells us how Jesus dealt with a deaf mute who was in desperate need of help. He imparted such a blessing that the crowd was astonished beyond measure and uttered the memorable words of our text. Jesus deals in similar ways when He imparts blessings today. So let us learn from this text how to receive a blessing.
HE TOOK HIM ASIDE
Jesus first took him “aside from the multitude privately.” This act was disappointing to those who had brought the man to Jesus, for they “besought him to lay his hand upon him.” In the past they had seen Jesus lay His gentle hands upon the afflicted and had witnessed the healing which followed. They came therefore with their afflicted friend and requested that He do the same for him.
We often make the mistake of dictating to the Lord how and when He should impart a blessing. If the Lord does not act in response to our demands, we are quickly discouraged and become an easy prey for the devil.
There are some cases where the Lord cannot impart a blessing immediately—not that He is not able to give the blessing but the individual involved is not able to receive it. Time is required for people to become prepared for what the Lord has to give. Whenever the Lord imparts a blessing in a different manner than we request, He is always doing it in the best way. The sooner we learn this truth, the better. Most of our requests are marked “Rush.” God, however, uses a different time schedule which often calls for a waiting period. The case of the deaf-mute called for just such a waiting period. Jesus saw that this case required private attention. The man was not prepared for what Jesus had to give and, therefore, he had to be taken “aside” for a time of preparation.
To be taken away from one’s friends and to be left alone with Christ is an act not easily understood. Those who have found themselves suddenly removed to a sickroom often rebel at the thought of being taken away from their associates. Others who have had to move to new surroundings, away from their old friends and acquaintances, often spend their time feeling sorry for themselves rather than finding their joy in private fellowship with Jesus Christ. If only lonely people could see the act of God behind the circumstances of their lives, their outlook would soon change. Most people would rather be with their friends in the multitude than to be alone with Christ.
Jesus desires to bless the needy but He often chooses lonely circumstances in which to impart this blessing. The hustle and bustle of everyday life are not conducive to imparting a blessing. He who prays for a blessing must be prepared for private fellowship with Christ before he can be answered.
HE PUT HIS FINGERS IN HIS EARS
When Jesus received the undivided attention of the deaf-mute, He was ready to prepare him for the coming blessing. Still He did not “lay his hand upon him” but He “put his fingers into his ears.” This case required His fingers rather than His hands.
The ailing one not only had to be taken away from his friends but he had to learn the lesson of waiting—that lesson which is so difficult for us to learn. Our nature is so rebellious that if we are not granted our request immediately, we are apt to sulk. The psalmist, knowing this weakness, cried out, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage” (Psalm 27:14).
This waiting period was required to enable Christ to put His fingers on what was wrong. The ears of the deaf-mute caused his trouble and Christ immediately put His fingers in them.
He who spends time alone with Christ will soon get acquainted with His “fingers.” The physician of our souls has a very thorough clinic through which He takes I-us patients. The Holy Spirit’s X-rays miss nothing. Those who are yielded and teachable soon have their sins pointed out and can say with David, “I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51 :3). Often at this point a sin-sick soul feels more miserable than he did when he first came to Christ. To have Christ put His finger on our trouble is no laughing matter. Sorrow fills the soul and inward pains that cannot be described are felt.
The opposite of what we expect often results. Well do I remember the time when I prayed that I might be saved. I thought that God’s peace would fall on me like gentle dew. Rather, He took me aside and put His fingers on my sins. In place of heaven’s peace falling upon me, a period of great conviction gripped me. Misery, sorrow, and fear filled my heart. Wherever I turned, I saw God’s accusing finger pointed at me. I saw my sins as I had never seen them before. I knew then what the apostle Paul meant when he said, “Wretched man that I am! who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24), and what David meant when he said, “Thy hand was heavy upon me” (Psalm 32:4).
God’s clinics are not easy. He who submits himself to such examination needs to pray with the psalmist, “Search me, 0 God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139 :23-24)
HE TOUCHED HIS TONGUE
The next step in preparation for the blessing was dealing with the deaf-mute’s tongue, for not only did he have ear trouble, but he had “an impediment in his speech.” The tongue is a small member very seldom seen, hidden away in the mouth. Before Christ could deal with this afflicted member, the man had to open his mouth and show his tongue. This, to be sure, was not a dignified sight but it was the only way by which he could be helped.
He who would secure soul help must not only have Christ point out his trouble but he must be willing to “open up” so Christ can help him further. This is not easy, for there is nothing harder to do for us human beings than to confess our sins. To open the inner recesses of our heart is the act whereby we “put to death” our members which are upon the earth (Colossians 3 :5). Death is never easy and certainly nothing dies harder than our old nature. Martin Luther in his catechism expresses it thus, “That the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil lusts, should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance and be put to death.”
Notice—Jesus “touched his tongue.” He did not slap it or criticize it but He gently touched the afflicted member. Christ, our Saviour, has such a way about Him that if He can but touch some afflicted one, that one will never be the same again. All whom Jesus touched were helped. It is interesting to notice that Jesus does not hesitate to touch the most miserable people. Lepers who had not been touched by a healthy human being since their dread disease was first noticed were touched by Jesus Christ when they cried out for mercy.
The slightest contact with Christ—even a touch— is so powerful that the one involved is changed. The woman with the issue of blood merely touched His garment and she was healed instantly. Once a contact is made with Christ, a heavenly current that produces a miracle immediately surges through the afflicted one. His is a miracle touch.
Do not hesitate to open your heart to Christ even if it humiliates you to tears. Lay bare the innermost recesses of your heart and let the one who can help you take over. Your case is not hopeless. He loves to deal with hard situations for He has not suffered defeat yet. He stands ready to handle your case now.
Christ dealt with the ears, the instruments of intake, before dealing with the tongue, the outlet—the organ of expression. Our listening members need correction before we can be in position to give. It is interesting to note that we have two ears but only one mouth. We are to have a greater capacity for listening than for speaking. James emphasizes this truth by saying, “Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19).
HE SPOKE THE WORD
The fourth and last step in the healing of the deaf-mute was the giving of the proper word by Christ. Therefore Christ said, “Ephphatha,” that is, “be opened.” And his ears were opened, and his tongue was released.
Something always happens when God’s Word is spoken. He Himself has affirmed, “My word …shall not return unto me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). God has given us His inspired, revealed Word—the Bible. He has told us that “the word of God is living, and active, sharper t h a n any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Living means “full of life,” not something dead like other books but something that imparts life to the dead. God speaking through Jeremiah said, “Is not my word like fire says the Lord, and like a hammer which breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29). Therefore we are urged to “search the scriptures” for therein we meet Christ who can give us the word that will bring blessing to us.
Satan knows that God conveys His blessings through the Word; therefore, he must do his utmost to keep people away from the Bible. That is why we find it so difficult to read and search the scriptures consistently daily. That is also why so many people never enter the church where God’s Word is preached—not that they have anything against the church but they have so many interests that keep them away. Satan does not need to get people to curse God to insure their being lost but he must keep them away from the Word, the means whereby God has chosen to bless His people today.
The Bible with its sixty-six books stands ready to impart untold blessings to all who will obey it. It is like a gold mine waiting to be explored. All who have had their eyes opened to behold wonderful things out of it can say “amen” to the testimony of the psalmist, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!“ (Psalm 119:103).
It is foolish to pray for blessings and then stay away from the Word which is God’s chosen way of conveying that blessing. He who would be blessed must come in contact with Christ through His Word.
Our text has given us four simple steps that lead to a blessing. When Christ completed His dealing with the deaf-mute, the people “were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well.’” If Christ is permitted to have His way with people today, He will again impart a blessing so that the statement will be made, “He has done all things well.”
The people of this world should be given many occasions to be “astonished beyond measure” at the wonder-working power of Jesus Christ. If it could be said of the apostles that “they recognized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13), then similar statements should be heard about the Christians today.
The eternal fact remains that Jesus Christ has done all things well. His coming to this earth as our Saviour, His teaching, His individual dealings with seeking souls, His dying on the cross for our sins, His going to prepare a place for His own—all can be summed up in the words, “He has done all things well.” God the Father expressed this same truth in the statement, “Thou art my beloved Son, with thee I am well pleased” (Mark 1 :11).
A new chapter can begin in the life of any who will let this same Saviour lead them step by step. The one and only conclusion to which all come who submit themselves to Jesus Christ is that “He has done all things well.”
And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech; and they besought him to lay his hand upon him. And taking him aside from the multitude privately, he put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And he charged them to tell no one; but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.”
The words, “He has done all things well,” were spoken about Jesus. In fact, these words can refer only to Him. It might be said of some of us that we have done some things well but never that we have done “all things well.”
The words of our text are worth memorizing for they are words that have eternal significance. They can be used constantly here on earth when reviewing Christ’s dealings with us, and the ages of eternity will not be long enough to exhaust their use.
Sometimes we may find it difficult to understand that “He has done all things well” but that fact remains true just the same. Often it takes years to understand that even when we go through trials and testings, our Lord is doing all things well.
Our text tells us how Jesus dealt with a deaf mute who was in desperate need of help. He imparted such a blessing that the crowd was astonished beyond measure and uttered the memorable words of our text. Jesus deals in similar ways when He imparts blessings today. So let us learn from this text how to receive a blessing.
HE TOOK HIM ASIDE
Jesus first took him “aside from the multitude privately.” This act was disappointing to those who had brought the man to Jesus, for they “besought him to lay his hand upon him.” In the past they had seen Jesus lay His gentle hands upon the afflicted and had witnessed the healing which followed. They came therefore with their afflicted friend and requested that He do the same for him.
We often make the mistake of dictating to the Lord how and when He should impart a blessing. If the Lord does not act in response to our demands, we are quickly discouraged and become an easy prey for the devil.
There are some cases where the Lord cannot impart a blessing immediately—not that He is not able to give the blessing but the individual involved is not able to receive it. Time is required for people to become prepared for what the Lord has to give. Whenever the Lord imparts a blessing in a different manner than we request, He is always doing it in the best way. The sooner we learn this truth, the better. Most of our requests are marked “Rush.” God, however, uses a different time schedule which often calls for a waiting period. The case of the deaf-mute called for just such a waiting period. Jesus saw that this case required private attention. The man was not prepared for what Jesus had to give and, therefore, he had to be taken “aside” for a time of preparation.
To be taken away from one’s friends and to be left alone with Christ is an act not easily understood. Those who have found themselves suddenly removed to a sickroom often rebel at the thought of being taken away from their associates. Others who have had to move to new surroundings, away from their old friends and acquaintances, often spend their time feeling sorry for themselves rather than finding their joy in private fellowship with Jesus Christ. If only lonely people could see the act of God behind the circumstances of their lives, their outlook would soon change. Most people would rather be with their friends in the multitude than to be alone with Christ.
Jesus desires to bless the needy but He often chooses lonely circumstances in which to impart this blessing. The hustle and bustle of everyday life are not conducive to imparting a blessing. He who prays for a blessing must be prepared for private fellowship with Christ before he can be answered.
HE PUT HIS FINGERS IN HIS EARS
When Jesus received the undivided attention of the deaf-mute, He was ready to prepare him for the coming blessing. Still He did not “lay his hand upon him” but He “put his fingers into his ears.” This case required His fingers rather than His hands.
The ailing one not only had to be taken away from his friends but he had to learn the lesson of waiting—that lesson which is so difficult for us to learn. Our nature is so rebellious that if we are not granted our request immediately, we are apt to sulk. The psalmist, knowing this weakness, cried out, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage” (Psalm 27:14).
This waiting period was required to enable Christ to put His fingers on what was wrong. The ears of the deaf-mute caused his trouble and Christ immediately put His fingers in them.
He who spends time alone with Christ will soon get acquainted with His “fingers.” The physician of our souls has a very thorough clinic through which He takes I-us patients. The Holy Spirit’s X-rays miss nothing. Those who are yielded and teachable soon have their sins pointed out and can say with David, “I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51 :3). Often at this point a sin-sick soul feels more miserable than he did when he first came to Christ. To have Christ put His finger on our trouble is no laughing matter. Sorrow fills the soul and inward pains that cannot be described are felt.
The opposite of what we expect often results. Well do I remember the time when I prayed that I might be saved. I thought that God’s peace would fall on me like gentle dew. Rather, He took me aside and put His fingers on my sins. In place of heaven’s peace falling upon me, a period of great conviction gripped me. Misery, sorrow, and fear filled my heart. Wherever I turned, I saw God’s accusing finger pointed at me. I saw my sins as I had never seen them before. I knew then what the apostle Paul meant when he said, “Wretched man that I am! who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24), and what David meant when he said, “Thy hand was heavy upon me” (Psalm 32:4).
God’s clinics are not easy. He who submits himself to such examination needs to pray with the psalmist, “Search me, 0 God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139 :23-24)
HE TOUCHED HIS TONGUE
The next step in preparation for the blessing was dealing with the deaf-mute’s tongue, for not only did he have ear trouble, but he had “an impediment in his speech.” The tongue is a small member very seldom seen, hidden away in the mouth. Before Christ could deal with this afflicted member, the man had to open his mouth and show his tongue. This, to be sure, was not a dignified sight but it was the only way by which he could be helped.
He who would secure soul help must not only have Christ point out his trouble but he must be willing to “open up” so Christ can help him further. This is not easy, for there is nothing harder to do for us human beings than to confess our sins. To open the inner recesses of our heart is the act whereby we “put to death” our members which are upon the earth (Colossians 3 :5). Death is never easy and certainly nothing dies harder than our old nature. Martin Luther in his catechism expresses it thus, “That the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil lusts, should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance and be put to death.”
Notice—Jesus “touched his tongue.” He did not slap it or criticize it but He gently touched the afflicted member. Christ, our Saviour, has such a way about Him that if He can but touch some afflicted one, that one will never be the same again. All whom Jesus touched were helped. It is interesting to notice that Jesus does not hesitate to touch the most miserable people. Lepers who had not been touched by a healthy human being since their dread disease was first noticed were touched by Jesus Christ when they cried out for mercy.
The slightest contact with Christ—even a touch— is so powerful that the one involved is changed. The woman with the issue of blood merely touched His garment and she was healed instantly. Once a contact is made with Christ, a heavenly current that produces a miracle immediately surges through the afflicted one. His is a miracle touch.
Do not hesitate to open your heart to Christ even if it humiliates you to tears. Lay bare the innermost recesses of your heart and let the one who can help you take over. Your case is not hopeless. He loves to deal with hard situations for He has not suffered defeat yet. He stands ready to handle your case now.
Christ dealt with the ears, the instruments of intake, before dealing with the tongue, the outlet—the organ of expression. Our listening members need correction before we can be in position to give. It is interesting to note that we have two ears but only one mouth. We are to have a greater capacity for listening than for speaking. James emphasizes this truth by saying, “Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19).
HE SPOKE THE WORD
The fourth and last step in the healing of the deaf-mute was the giving of the proper word by Christ. Therefore Christ said, “Ephphatha,” that is, “be opened.” And his ears were opened, and his tongue was released.
Something always happens when God’s Word is spoken. He Himself has affirmed, “My word …shall not return unto me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). God has given us His inspired, revealed Word—the Bible. He has told us that “the word of God is living, and active, sharper t h a n any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). Living means “full of life,” not something dead like other books but something that imparts life to the dead. God speaking through Jeremiah said, “Is not my word like fire says the Lord, and like a hammer which breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29). Therefore we are urged to “search the scriptures” for therein we meet Christ who can give us the word that will bring blessing to us.
Satan knows that God conveys His blessings through the Word; therefore, he must do his utmost to keep people away from the Bible. That is why we find it so difficult to read and search the scriptures consistently daily. That is also why so many people never enter the church where God’s Word is preached—not that they have anything against the church but they have so many interests that keep them away. Satan does not need to get people to curse God to insure their being lost but he must keep them away from the Word, the means whereby God has chosen to bless His people today.
The Bible with its sixty-six books stands ready to impart untold blessings to all who will obey it. It is like a gold mine waiting to be explored. All who have had their eyes opened to behold wonderful things out of it can say “amen” to the testimony of the psalmist, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!“ (Psalm 119:103).
It is foolish to pray for blessings and then stay away from the Word which is God’s chosen way of conveying that blessing. He who would be blessed must come in contact with Christ through His Word.
Our text has given us four simple steps that lead to a blessing. When Christ completed His dealing with the deaf-mute, the people “were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well.’” If Christ is permitted to have His way with people today, He will again impart a blessing so that the statement will be made, “He has done all things well.”
The people of this world should be given many occasions to be “astonished beyond measure” at the wonder-working power of Jesus Christ. If it could be said of the apostles that “they recognized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13), then similar statements should be heard about the Christians today.
The eternal fact remains that Jesus Christ has done all things well. His coming to this earth as our Saviour, His teaching, His individual dealings with seeking souls, His dying on the cross for our sins, His going to prepare a place for His own—all can be summed up in the words, “He has done all things well.” God the Father expressed this same truth in the statement, “Thou art my beloved Son, with thee I am well pleased” (Mark 1 :11).
A new chapter can begin in the life of any who will let this same Saviour lead them step by step. The one and only conclusion to which all come who submit themselves to Jesus Christ is that “He has done all things well.”
Lord, Send a Revival - Maynard Force
Lord, Send a Revival
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.
When Dwight D. Eisenhower took the oath of office as president of the United States, he requested that one of the Bibles used for the occasion be opened to this passage in Second Chronicles. He was impressed with the importance of this Scriptural promise and admonition, and wanted to place his hand upon it as he took his oath of office.
These words state God's requirement for a revival. We do well to examine them carefully so that we may rightfully claim their promise.
This statement is definitely directed to a people called by God's name. In our day we would call them Christians or, to be more specific, those who are saved. It is with this group the decision rests as to whether or not a revival is to come.
The words "if" and "then" mark a simple but effective twofold division of the verse.
"If"
Many of God's promises begin with the short but arresting word "if". He who would lay claim to what is promised must be careful to meet the requirements of the "if". In this verse, God's "if" introduces four definite requirements which must be met to His satisfaction if a revival is to come.
HUMILITY
The first of these requirements is humility. "If my people . . . humble themselves.'' This is the starting point. It is not a popular place in our day. Our nature rebels at the very thought of humility. Many have by-passed it in seeking a revival, and have received nothing.
He who would be humble must deal with his own sins. Nothing so humiliates an individual as having to confess his sin and seek forgiveness for it. To face God and fellow men and admit our wrong- doings is the death blow to our wicked nature. This is what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you'' (Colossians 3:5) . James, in his letter, put it this way, "Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you'' (James 4:10) . I know of no humility apart from the confession of sins. Do you?
The starting point for a revival is indeed a lowly place. It takes the grace of God to humble our- selves. We do not mind being used of God to humble others but we hesitate and rebel when the same medicine is applied to us. Our text, however, states that God's people are to humble "themselves."
PRAYER
The second requirement for a revival is prayer. "If my people . . . pray." He who truly humbles himself before God will find that his only avenue of escape is prayer. The road of humility always leads to sincere prayer.
Attempts have been made to bring Christians together to pray for a revival without first asking that they humble themselves. To all such, God's Word says, "Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you so that he does not hear''
(Isaiah 59:2).
The prayers God wants to hear are those that come from "a broken spirit." As the psalmist said, "A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise'' (Psalm 51:17) . He who prays after being humbled by repentance is sympathetic and under- standing. His cold, critical heart has become mellow and tender toward others, and he is in a condition to know how to pray.
The prayer referred to in this text is united prayer. God said, "My people" -not only one or two denominations but all who belong to His people. Regardless of differences in doctrines, prayer "that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord'' (Acts 3:19) should surely be certain ground on which all God's people can meet. We have no right to classify ourselves as "God's people'' if we do not find common interests here.
Prayer and revival cannot be separated, f or prayer always, with no exceptions, ushers in "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." Our great need for this hour is to get God's people together for prayer. The promise still stands, "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son'' (John 14:13).
READING GOD'S WORD
The third requirement for a revival is suggested by the words, "If my people . . . seek my face." It is a faithful use of the Word. "Seek my face," God says. He who would look into the inner soul of a man must do so by beholding his face. The face reflects the personality as no other part of the body can do.
We who would seek God's face must do so by be- holding Jesus Christ. God's beauty is revealed in Jesus as in no other way. Therefore, he who has experienced Jesus as his Saviour has in a very true sense beheld God's face.
There is only one place where we can find God's face today and that is in the Bible. Here, and only here, has God seen fit to reveal Himself to us human beings. It is true that "the heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork'' (Psalm 19:1) ; but a personal revelation of God comes not through the heavens or the firmament but only through the inspired Word of God. Therefore, he who would seek God's face must turn to the sacred scriptures.
Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord never come apart from the searching of God's Word. Rather, every time there has been a mighty moving of God's Spirit, the Word of God has been given pre-eminence. The Pentecostal blessing came as the disciples preached the words of the prophet Joel. The Nineveh awakening came when Jonah obeyed God's command to proclaim to Nineveh "the message that I tell you'' (Jonah 3:2) . The blessing that came to Judah under the leadership of King Josiah was the result of finding and reading the neglected Word of God. The next revival that will come to this earth will be preceded by the searching of the Scriptures on the part of some earnest, God-fearing people.
It is an adventure to seek God's face by means of His Word. One stands amazed time and again as God speaks and reveals Himself. Then the Bible becomes an interesting and gripping book that satisfies the earnest seeker.
Has the Bible become uninteresting to you? Do you let days and weeks go by without reading it? Have you made feverish attempts to read it but somehow been unable to become interested in it? If so, there is something wrong with you. You have sinned grievously against God by this attitude. Confess your indifference as sin and ask God to create in you an appetite for His eternal Word. Go to the Word again and pray for grace really to seek God's f ace. You will find that the happiest moments you can spend on earth are those you spend meeting God face to face in His Word. ''Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied'' (Matthew 5:6).
REPENTANCE
The fourth requirement for a revival is that God's people shall "turn from their wicked ways." He who searches the Scriptures will soon discover how many "wicked ways" he has. To live apart from the Word leaves us ignorant of our sinfulness; to live in the Word is to have our condition revealed as God sees it.
To turn means to repent. Repentance is not some- thing we ourselves can bring about, but is a blessing that God bestows on those who seek Him. Paul wrote Timothy, asking that he correct his opponents, and declared, "God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth" (2 Timothy 2:25). Repentance, then, is a gift from God, a gift that He gladly gives to those who seek His face.
Times of refreshing come only after there has been a turning from "wicked ways." Not from one wicked way, we note, but from wicked ways - that is, all of them. That means not only confessing sin but also forsaking sin. "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy'' (Proverbs 28:13) Too often sins are merely confessed but not forsaken. To confess sins and not forsake them is mockery. We are given this warning in 1 Peter 1:15 : "As he who called you is holy, be holy your- selves in all your conduct." God refuses to send a revival to people who cling to sin. He has said, "Your sins have kept good from you'' (Jer. 5:25).
A striking definition of repentance are the words in 2 Corinthians 7:11, in which Paul describes the attitude of the Corinthians after they had repented: "For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what punishment!" The repentance here described is the kind that will permit God to send a revival.
"Then"
The second division of the text begins with the little word "then." There is no short cut to this part of the verse, for he who would claim the promise must first meet the fourfold condition that preceded it. The first part of the verse sets forth what God expects of us and the second states what we may expect of Him if we meet His conditions.
There are three things God promises to do for His people who obey His fourfold demands.
GOD WILL HEAR
First, "I will hear from heaven." This is how we may have a hearing with God. Our many prayers will not bring down a blessing from God. This blessing will come when we have allowed Him to prepare our hearts to receive it. As soon as we are prepared, the blessing will come. The Pentecostal blessings came at the third hour of the tenth day of prayer. It took the disciples that long to get ready to receive what God had for them. God is ready now to shower upon us "an overflowing blessing'' (Malachi 3 :10) .
GOD WILL FORGIVE
God's second promise is, "I will forgive their sin." The failures of the past will be forgiven and forgotten as far as God is concerned.
It is wonderful that there are such promises in the Bible. No one need be discouraged because of his past sins. God promises that He will forgive our sins. The greatest news that can reach a person is that his sins are forgiven. Before the prophet Isaiah began his great service for the Lord, he heard the words, "Your guilt is taken away, and your sin is forgiven'' (Isaiah 6:8) . No one who has not been given this assurance is prepared to serve the Lord. Revival clouds withhold their blessings until God's people are cleansed.
GOD WILL HEAL
In the third place, God promises, "I will heal their land." The blessings referred to here are far- reaching. God's favor falls not only on those whom He calls "my people," but on the entire land. When God sends forth spiritual blessings in revival proportions, the benefits of these blessings flow out like a flood. God never sends a revival to some select group of people who selfishly try to channel the blessing for themselves. Rather, God's revivals are as free as the wind. Jesus said, "The wind blows where it wills and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes: so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit'' (John 3:8) . God always directs His own revivals.
Our God is very definite. He has laid down four requirements f or a revival: humility, prayer, searching the Word, and repentance. When these requirements are met, He promises a threefold blessing: the hearing of prayer, the forgiveness of sin, and the healing of the land. God's requirements are definite and His promises far-reaching. Their combination will bring "times of refreshing from the presence of the lord."
God is ready to send the spiritual rain. What is your answer to His proposal? Zechariah admonished wisely when he wrote, "Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, who gives men showers of rain, to every one the vegetation in the field'' (Zachariah 10 :1) .
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.
When Dwight D. Eisenhower took the oath of office as president of the United States, he requested that one of the Bibles used for the occasion be opened to this passage in Second Chronicles. He was impressed with the importance of this Scriptural promise and admonition, and wanted to place his hand upon it as he took his oath of office.
These words state God's requirement for a revival. We do well to examine them carefully so that we may rightfully claim their promise.
This statement is definitely directed to a people called by God's name. In our day we would call them Christians or, to be more specific, those who are saved. It is with this group the decision rests as to whether or not a revival is to come.
The words "if" and "then" mark a simple but effective twofold division of the verse.
"If"
Many of God's promises begin with the short but arresting word "if". He who would lay claim to what is promised must be careful to meet the requirements of the "if". In this verse, God's "if" introduces four definite requirements which must be met to His satisfaction if a revival is to come.
HUMILITY
The first of these requirements is humility. "If my people . . . humble themselves.'' This is the starting point. It is not a popular place in our day. Our nature rebels at the very thought of humility. Many have by-passed it in seeking a revival, and have received nothing.
He who would be humble must deal with his own sins. Nothing so humiliates an individual as having to confess his sin and seek forgiveness for it. To face God and fellow men and admit our wrong- doings is the death blow to our wicked nature. This is what the apostle Paul meant when he wrote, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you'' (Colossians 3:5) . James, in his letter, put it this way, "Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you'' (James 4:10) . I know of no humility apart from the confession of sins. Do you?
The starting point for a revival is indeed a lowly place. It takes the grace of God to humble our- selves. We do not mind being used of God to humble others but we hesitate and rebel when the same medicine is applied to us. Our text, however, states that God's people are to humble "themselves."
PRAYER
The second requirement for a revival is prayer. "If my people . . . pray." He who truly humbles himself before God will find that his only avenue of escape is prayer. The road of humility always leads to sincere prayer.
Attempts have been made to bring Christians together to pray for a revival without first asking that they humble themselves. To all such, God's Word says, "Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you so that he does not hear''
(Isaiah 59:2).
The prayers God wants to hear are those that come from "a broken spirit." As the psalmist said, "A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise'' (Psalm 51:17) . He who prays after being humbled by repentance is sympathetic and under- standing. His cold, critical heart has become mellow and tender toward others, and he is in a condition to know how to pray.
The prayer referred to in this text is united prayer. God said, "My people" -not only one or two denominations but all who belong to His people. Regardless of differences in doctrines, prayer "that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord'' (Acts 3:19) should surely be certain ground on which all God's people can meet. We have no right to classify ourselves as "God's people'' if we do not find common interests here.
Prayer and revival cannot be separated, f or prayer always, with no exceptions, ushers in "times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." Our great need for this hour is to get God's people together for prayer. The promise still stands, "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son'' (John 14:13).
READING GOD'S WORD
The third requirement for a revival is suggested by the words, "If my people . . . seek my face." It is a faithful use of the Word. "Seek my face," God says. He who would look into the inner soul of a man must do so by beholding his face. The face reflects the personality as no other part of the body can do.
We who would seek God's face must do so by be- holding Jesus Christ. God's beauty is revealed in Jesus as in no other way. Therefore, he who has experienced Jesus as his Saviour has in a very true sense beheld God's face.
There is only one place where we can find God's face today and that is in the Bible. Here, and only here, has God seen fit to reveal Himself to us human beings. It is true that "the heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork'' (Psalm 19:1) ; but a personal revelation of God comes not through the heavens or the firmament but only through the inspired Word of God. Therefore, he who would seek God's face must turn to the sacred scriptures.
Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord never come apart from the searching of God's Word. Rather, every time there has been a mighty moving of God's Spirit, the Word of God has been given pre-eminence. The Pentecostal blessing came as the disciples preached the words of the prophet Joel. The Nineveh awakening came when Jonah obeyed God's command to proclaim to Nineveh "the message that I tell you'' (Jonah 3:2) . The blessing that came to Judah under the leadership of King Josiah was the result of finding and reading the neglected Word of God. The next revival that will come to this earth will be preceded by the searching of the Scriptures on the part of some earnest, God-fearing people.
It is an adventure to seek God's face by means of His Word. One stands amazed time and again as God speaks and reveals Himself. Then the Bible becomes an interesting and gripping book that satisfies the earnest seeker.
Has the Bible become uninteresting to you? Do you let days and weeks go by without reading it? Have you made feverish attempts to read it but somehow been unable to become interested in it? If so, there is something wrong with you. You have sinned grievously against God by this attitude. Confess your indifference as sin and ask God to create in you an appetite for His eternal Word. Go to the Word again and pray for grace really to seek God's f ace. You will find that the happiest moments you can spend on earth are those you spend meeting God face to face in His Word. ''Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied'' (Matthew 5:6).
REPENTANCE
The fourth requirement for a revival is that God's people shall "turn from their wicked ways." He who searches the Scriptures will soon discover how many "wicked ways" he has. To live apart from the Word leaves us ignorant of our sinfulness; to live in the Word is to have our condition revealed as God sees it.
To turn means to repent. Repentance is not some- thing we ourselves can bring about, but is a blessing that God bestows on those who seek Him. Paul wrote Timothy, asking that he correct his opponents, and declared, "God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth" (2 Timothy 2:25). Repentance, then, is a gift from God, a gift that He gladly gives to those who seek His face.
Times of refreshing come only after there has been a turning from "wicked ways." Not from one wicked way, we note, but from wicked ways - that is, all of them. That means not only confessing sin but also forsaking sin. "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy'' (Proverbs 28:13) Too often sins are merely confessed but not forsaken. To confess sins and not forsake them is mockery. We are given this warning in 1 Peter 1:15 : "As he who called you is holy, be holy your- selves in all your conduct." God refuses to send a revival to people who cling to sin. He has said, "Your sins have kept good from you'' (Jer. 5:25).
A striking definition of repentance are the words in 2 Corinthians 7:11, in which Paul describes the attitude of the Corinthians after they had repented: "For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what punishment!" The repentance here described is the kind that will permit God to send a revival.
"Then"
The second division of the text begins with the little word "then." There is no short cut to this part of the verse, for he who would claim the promise must first meet the fourfold condition that preceded it. The first part of the verse sets forth what God expects of us and the second states what we may expect of Him if we meet His conditions.
There are three things God promises to do for His people who obey His fourfold demands.
GOD WILL HEAR
First, "I will hear from heaven." This is how we may have a hearing with God. Our many prayers will not bring down a blessing from God. This blessing will come when we have allowed Him to prepare our hearts to receive it. As soon as we are prepared, the blessing will come. The Pentecostal blessings came at the third hour of the tenth day of prayer. It took the disciples that long to get ready to receive what God had for them. God is ready now to shower upon us "an overflowing blessing'' (Malachi 3 :10) .
GOD WILL FORGIVE
God's second promise is, "I will forgive their sin." The failures of the past will be forgiven and forgotten as far as God is concerned.
It is wonderful that there are such promises in the Bible. No one need be discouraged because of his past sins. God promises that He will forgive our sins. The greatest news that can reach a person is that his sins are forgiven. Before the prophet Isaiah began his great service for the Lord, he heard the words, "Your guilt is taken away, and your sin is forgiven'' (Isaiah 6:8) . No one who has not been given this assurance is prepared to serve the Lord. Revival clouds withhold their blessings until God's people are cleansed.
GOD WILL HEAL
In the third place, God promises, "I will heal their land." The blessings referred to here are far- reaching. God's favor falls not only on those whom He calls "my people," but on the entire land. When God sends forth spiritual blessings in revival proportions, the benefits of these blessings flow out like a flood. God never sends a revival to some select group of people who selfishly try to channel the blessing for themselves. Rather, God's revivals are as free as the wind. Jesus said, "The wind blows where it wills and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes: so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit'' (John 3:8) . God always directs His own revivals.
Our God is very definite. He has laid down four requirements f or a revival: humility, prayer, searching the Word, and repentance. When these requirements are met, He promises a threefold blessing: the hearing of prayer, the forgiveness of sin, and the healing of the land. God's requirements are definite and His promises far-reaching. Their combination will bring "times of refreshing from the presence of the lord."
God is ready to send the spiritual rain. What is your answer to His proposal? Zechariah admonished wisely when he wrote, "Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, who gives men showers of rain, to every one the vegetation in the field'' (Zachariah 10 :1) .
New Book- Our Refuge and strength- Pastor Force
I am going to start posting another of Pastor Forces Books on this blog.
OUR REFUGE
AND
STRENGTH
Sermons and Meditations
BY
MAYNARD A. FORCE
AUGUSTANA BOOK CONCERN
ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS
Copyright, 1954
(Best that I can tell this book is in the Public Domain)
AND
STRENGTH
Sermons and Meditations
BY
MAYNARD A. FORCE
AUGUSTANA BOOK CONCERN
ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS
Copyright, 1954
(Best that I can tell this book is in the Public Domain)
Monday, January 11, 2010
46. Heart Thoughts Revealed
Heart Thoughts Revealed
A sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2.35.
Old Simeon addressed these words to Mary the mother of Jesus when she and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple for the first time. Mary did not understand them then, but years later when she beheld her son on the cross, she knew what it was to have a sword pierce through her soul. There, in that cruel act, the “thoughts out of many hearts” were revealed.
Hear first these words of Jesus, “For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornication, thefts, murders, adulteries, covetings, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness: all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man” (Mark 7. 21—23). It is interesting to notice that every one of these thirteen sins was revealed at the cross.
Judas was one of the first to have the thoughts of his heart revealed. For a long time he had been able to conceal them, but finally they came out in the open. Judas first became possessed with greed; and greed, when it had conceived, brought forth theft. This finally led him to become a traitor and sell his Master for a few pieces of silver. Jesus’ final words about him were “Good were it for that man if he had not been born” (Matthew 26. 24). Jesus’ crucifixion revealed the heart thoughts of this subtle hypocrite.
Calvary also revealed the hearts of the chief priests and the officers. At their fatal committee meeting, they confessed, “If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation” (John 11. 48). They had “an evil eye.” That led to “hate,” and “hate,” when it was full grown, brought forth “murder.” No one would ever have suspected that these dignified, religious leaders had such wicked hearts. It took Christ and His cross to reveal them.
Pilate’s heart was also revealed at the cross. It was full of pride and deceit. He was more concerned to keep the favor of the crowd than to do what he believed was right. When he saw that his popularity was at stake, he yielded to public opinion. Had he stayed by his conviction, “I find no cause of death in him” (Luke 23. 22), we never would have read the sad words, “Pilate gave sentence that what they asked for should be done” (v. 24). Calvary opened Pilate’s heart wide, and revealed it as very corrupt.
Herod, the murderer of John the Baptist, also had his hand in the crucifixion. 1-le seemed very glad to see Jesus. “He was a long time desirous to see him” (Luke 23. 8). However, Jesus “answered him nothing.” Why should He talk to a man like Herod, whose heart was full of “fornication,” “lasciviousness,” and “adultery”? Jesus has no word for a sinner who refuses to repent. John the Baptist had faced him with his sin, but there had been no repentance. Jesus therefore had nothing to say to a man who insisted on living in such sins. He who silences God’s law gets no word of God’s grace. Herod exposed the true spirit of his heart when he “with his soldiers set him (Jesus) at nought, and mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate” (Luke 23. 11). Calvary revealed his heart as a cesspool of evil.
The soldiers of the Governor, though under rigid discipline, were given a chance to expose their hearts. When the authorities let these men do as they pleased with Christ, “they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And they platted a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spat upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head” (Matthew 27. 27—30). These men revealed hearts full of “foolishness,” “evil thoughts,” and rank “wickedness.” No one could have suspected that these well-groomed soldiers who looked so noble and impressive in parade, had their hearts so filled with evil. It took Christ and His cross to reveal them.
The crowd that passed by the cross had their hearts exposed, too. We read, “And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27. 39—40). Their hearts were full of “railing.” If Christ would
meet their expectations they would believe on Him. If they could see first, then they would believe. These were the people who looked and acted so pious at the religious festivals. Now in the presence of Christ and the cross they reveal what hard and unsympathetic hearts they actually possessed.
The soldiers who were given the gruesome task of crucifying Christ also exposed their hearts. When they had finally suspended Christ on the cross, they “took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat” (John 19.23). Since the coat was without seam they did not want to ruin it by tearing it into four pieces, so they suggested, “Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be” (John 19. 24). There, directly under the cross, these gamblers revealed their covetous hearts. All they thought about Was selfish gain. They could hardly wait for their victim to die that they might pick up their little pile and go home.
In closing it will only be fair to ask ourselves the question, What are the thoughts of our hearts? Did you by any chance recognize any of your heart thoughts? If you are honest you will answer Yes. Then we must admit that we, too, were represented at Calvary. If we have any of these sins lurking in our hearts, we are as guilty as those who had a part in the crucifixion. Then we need not mercilessly condemn the characters we have here reviewed, but rather turn our attention to ourselves. Before Christ died He cried out, “Father, forgive them.” He asked forgiveness for these who had exposed their hearts at Calvary, for “He died for all” (2 Corinthians 5.15). He died not only for the sins that were revealed there, but for all the sins that are still hidden away in the dark recesses of many hearts. Thank God, Christ on the cross not only revealed sins—He gave His life for these sins. May we never forget that “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15. 3).
The End
My Heart's Desire
Maynard A. Force
1949
A sword shall pierce through thine own soul; that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2.35.
Old Simeon addressed these words to Mary the mother of Jesus when she and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple for the first time. Mary did not understand them then, but years later when she beheld her son on the cross, she knew what it was to have a sword pierce through her soul. There, in that cruel act, the “thoughts out of many hearts” were revealed.
Hear first these words of Jesus, “For from within, out of the heart of men, evil thoughts proceed, fornication, thefts, murders, adulteries, covetings, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness an evil eye, railing, pride, foolishness: all these evil things proceed from within, and defile the man” (Mark 7. 21—23). It is interesting to notice that every one of these thirteen sins was revealed at the cross.
Judas was one of the first to have the thoughts of his heart revealed. For a long time he had been able to conceal them, but finally they came out in the open. Judas first became possessed with greed; and greed, when it had conceived, brought forth theft. This finally led him to become a traitor and sell his Master for a few pieces of silver. Jesus’ final words about him were “Good were it for that man if he had not been born” (Matthew 26. 24). Jesus’ crucifixion revealed the heart thoughts of this subtle hypocrite.
Calvary also revealed the hearts of the chief priests and the officers. At their fatal committee meeting, they confessed, “If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation” (John 11. 48). They had “an evil eye.” That led to “hate,” and “hate,” when it was full grown, brought forth “murder.” No one would ever have suspected that these dignified, religious leaders had such wicked hearts. It took Christ and His cross to reveal them.
Pilate’s heart was also revealed at the cross. It was full of pride and deceit. He was more concerned to keep the favor of the crowd than to do what he believed was right. When he saw that his popularity was at stake, he yielded to public opinion. Had he stayed by his conviction, “I find no cause of death in him” (Luke 23. 22), we never would have read the sad words, “Pilate gave sentence that what they asked for should be done” (v. 24). Calvary opened Pilate’s heart wide, and revealed it as very corrupt.
Herod, the murderer of John the Baptist, also had his hand in the crucifixion. 1-le seemed very glad to see Jesus. “He was a long time desirous to see him” (Luke 23. 8). However, Jesus “answered him nothing.” Why should He talk to a man like Herod, whose heart was full of “fornication,” “lasciviousness,” and “adultery”? Jesus has no word for a sinner who refuses to repent. John the Baptist had faced him with his sin, but there had been no repentance. Jesus therefore had nothing to say to a man who insisted on living in such sins. He who silences God’s law gets no word of God’s grace. Herod exposed the true spirit of his heart when he “with his soldiers set him (Jesus) at nought, and mocked him, and arraying him in gorgeous apparel sent him back to Pilate” (Luke 23. 11). Calvary revealed his heart as a cesspool of evil.
The soldiers of the Governor, though under rigid discipline, were given a chance to expose their hearts. When the authorities let these men do as they pleased with Christ, “they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And they platted a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spat upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head” (Matthew 27. 27—30). These men revealed hearts full of “foolishness,” “evil thoughts,” and rank “wickedness.” No one could have suspected that these well-groomed soldiers who looked so noble and impressive in parade, had their hearts so filled with evil. It took Christ and His cross to reveal them.
The crowd that passed by the cross had their hearts exposed, too. We read, “And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself: if thou art the Son of God, come down from the cross” (Matthew 27. 39—40). Their hearts were full of “railing.” If Christ would
meet their expectations they would believe on Him. If they could see first, then they would believe. These were the people who looked and acted so pious at the religious festivals. Now in the presence of Christ and the cross they reveal what hard and unsympathetic hearts they actually possessed.
The soldiers who were given the gruesome task of crucifying Christ also exposed their hearts. When they had finally suspended Christ on the cross, they “took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat” (John 19.23). Since the coat was without seam they did not want to ruin it by tearing it into four pieces, so they suggested, “Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be” (John 19. 24). There, directly under the cross, these gamblers revealed their covetous hearts. All they thought about Was selfish gain. They could hardly wait for their victim to die that they might pick up their little pile and go home.
In closing it will only be fair to ask ourselves the question, What are the thoughts of our hearts? Did you by any chance recognize any of your heart thoughts? If you are honest you will answer Yes. Then we must admit that we, too, were represented at Calvary. If we have any of these sins lurking in our hearts, we are as guilty as those who had a part in the crucifixion. Then we need not mercilessly condemn the characters we have here reviewed, but rather turn our attention to ourselves. Before Christ died He cried out, “Father, forgive them.” He asked forgiveness for these who had exposed their hearts at Calvary, for “He died for all” (2 Corinthians 5.15). He died not only for the sins that were revealed there, but for all the sins that are still hidden away in the dark recesses of many hearts. Thank God, Christ on the cross not only revealed sins—He gave His life for these sins. May we never forget that “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15. 3).
The End
My Heart's Desire
Maynard A. Force
1949
45. Jesus' Acceptance of the Father's Gift
Jesus’ Acceptance of the Father’s Gift
Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6.37.
In these precious words Jesus accepts the gift that God the Father gave Him. This gift is made up of conscience-stricken sinners who have the death penalty pronounced upon them. They have come to see their lost state and have been given over to Jesus. They may wonder if Jesus will want them with all their sins and guilt. After listening to Jesus’ words of our text, none of them has any reason to doubt.
First we notice that Jesus makes it plain that every individual in the Father’s gift is welcome. He could have said “they” that come unto me I will accept. But He chose to make it more personal by saying “him that cometh unto me.” He does not want any soul to feel he is overlooked. Once again we see the shepherd spirit in Him. He is interested not only in the flock, but also in the individual sheep, for “He calleth his own sheep by name” (John 10. 3). None can excel Jesus in making individuals feel that they are welcome. When He was here on earth everyone felt free to come to Him. Children and older folks, the rich and the poor, found their way to Him. No one need feel left out. Although the Father’s gift included millions upon millions of souls, yet Jesus looked upon this gift in terms of the individual. “Him” is a title that fits any one of us. Let us thank God for the simple, direct and personal way in which Jesus refers to us.
Notice also the three simple words, “Come unto me.” Jesus often uses these words in inviting people to come to Him. Perhaps the best known invitation of this kind is: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11. 28). The question is often asked, What, then, does it mean to “come” to Jesus? The simplest answer to this question would perhaps be to see how burdened sinners came to Jesus in the past. Let us use the example of the publican in the temple. Surely he was past all reliance on himself, for he had been thoroughly crushed because of his sins. He did not even dare “lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18. 13). He really came to God through this prayer, for we read: “This man went down to his house justified” (v. 14). To come to Jesus, then, means to come just as we are, confessing our sins. Hide nothing, for “He that covereth his transgression shall not prosper” (Proverbs 28. 13). It is natural indeed for a contrite soul to use even the very words of this publican. To all who have the same need as the publican Jesus says, “Come unto me.”
Jesus assures the sinner who comes to Him, that He “will in no wise cast him out.” Jesus knew that Satan tempts many poor souls to think that they are too vile to come to Him. It is true we are not worthy to come. If we look at our sinful past, we must confess that we deserve to be “cast out.” If we look at our deceitful hearts we see no good in them. No one ever truly comes to Christ who does not feel that he deserves to be “cast out.” That is why Christ speaks these words here. We must not look at ourselves any longer, or we would give up in despair. We must look to Christ’s promise, “Whosoever cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.” “In no wise” means under no condition. Perhaps it would help us here to be reminded that God’s Word, once it is given, is never changed. We have the promise, “I will watch over my word to perform it” (Jeremiah 1. 12). Therefore we can confidently come to Christ, knowing we will be accepted.
This, then, is how Jesus received the Father’s gift. Besides all that has been said, is His assuring word, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he bath given me I should lose nothing” (John 6. 39). No sinner who feels his need of Jesus and comes to Him is ever lost.
What cheering words are these!
Their sweetness who can tell?
In time and to eternal days, “
‘Tis with the righteous well.”
JOHN KENT, 1803.
Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6.37.
In these precious words Jesus accepts the gift that God the Father gave Him. This gift is made up of conscience-stricken sinners who have the death penalty pronounced upon them. They have come to see their lost state and have been given over to Jesus. They may wonder if Jesus will want them with all their sins and guilt. After listening to Jesus’ words of our text, none of them has any reason to doubt.
First we notice that Jesus makes it plain that every individual in the Father’s gift is welcome. He could have said “they” that come unto me I will accept. But He chose to make it more personal by saying “him that cometh unto me.” He does not want any soul to feel he is overlooked. Once again we see the shepherd spirit in Him. He is interested not only in the flock, but also in the individual sheep, for “He calleth his own sheep by name” (John 10. 3). None can excel Jesus in making individuals feel that they are welcome. When He was here on earth everyone felt free to come to Him. Children and older folks, the rich and the poor, found their way to Him. No one need feel left out. Although the Father’s gift included millions upon millions of souls, yet Jesus looked upon this gift in terms of the individual. “Him” is a title that fits any one of us. Let us thank God for the simple, direct and personal way in which Jesus refers to us.
Notice also the three simple words, “Come unto me.” Jesus often uses these words in inviting people to come to Him. Perhaps the best known invitation of this kind is: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11. 28). The question is often asked, What, then, does it mean to “come” to Jesus? The simplest answer to this question would perhaps be to see how burdened sinners came to Jesus in the past. Let us use the example of the publican in the temple. Surely he was past all reliance on himself, for he had been thoroughly crushed because of his sins. He did not even dare “lift up so much as his eyes to heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18. 13). He really came to God through this prayer, for we read: “This man went down to his house justified” (v. 14). To come to Jesus, then, means to come just as we are, confessing our sins. Hide nothing, for “He that covereth his transgression shall not prosper” (Proverbs 28. 13). It is natural indeed for a contrite soul to use even the very words of this publican. To all who have the same need as the publican Jesus says, “Come unto me.”
Jesus assures the sinner who comes to Him, that He “will in no wise cast him out.” Jesus knew that Satan tempts many poor souls to think that they are too vile to come to Him. It is true we are not worthy to come. If we look at our sinful past, we must confess that we deserve to be “cast out.” If we look at our deceitful hearts we see no good in them. No one ever truly comes to Christ who does not feel that he deserves to be “cast out.” That is why Christ speaks these words here. We must not look at ourselves any longer, or we would give up in despair. We must look to Christ’s promise, “Whosoever cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.” “In no wise” means under no condition. Perhaps it would help us here to be reminded that God’s Word, once it is given, is never changed. We have the promise, “I will watch over my word to perform it” (Jeremiah 1. 12). Therefore we can confidently come to Christ, knowing we will be accepted.
This, then, is how Jesus received the Father’s gift. Besides all that has been said, is His assuring word, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that of all that which he bath given me I should lose nothing” (John 6. 39). No sinner who feels his need of Jesus and comes to Him is ever lost.
What cheering words are these!
Their sweetness who can tell?
In time and to eternal days, “
‘Tis with the righteous well.”
JOHN KENT, 1803.
44. The Father's Gift to Jesus
The Father’s Gift to Jesus
All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6. 37.
God the Father is known as a generous Giver. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1. 17). His gifts have been many and costly. His heart was so moved with love for this sin-cursed earth that He gave the best of all His gifts, namely, Jesus Christ. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3. 16). But the Father gave a gift also to Jesus Christ. If He gave us the best He had, what could He give His only begotten Son? Our text has the answer.
Jesus said, “All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me.” But then the question arises, Who are they that truly come to Jesus? If we find the answer to this question, we will know of whom the Father’s gift to Jesus consists. We know that no one ever comes to Jesus Christ unless the law of God drives him there. The purpose of the law is to “become our tutor to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3. 24). Only those will come to Christ who have permitted the law to do its work in their lives for “through the law cometh the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3. 20). The law makes sin “exceedingly sinful” (Romans 7. 13). When the law of God has rightfully done its work in a human heart, the sinner will see himself utterly lost and condemned apart from Christ. Only this type of a sinner will ever come to Christ as Saviour. Jesus summed up this truth in the following words: “No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him” (John 6. 44). This the Father does by mercilessly applying His law. This brings great conviction of sin. We may therefore conclude that it is the sinner who sees himself as lost and condemned that God presents as a gift to Jesus.
This gift then is made up of needy people. Such people never think of themselves as in any sense a gift of the Father to Jesus. In fact, they feel just the opposite. Their need is so great that they are described as hungry and thirsty. Of this class Jesus said, “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5. 6). No person on earth is more needy than one who has been stripped of all self-righteousness. He sees himself a candidate for hell. He becomes desperate in his need. His heart cries out with the prophet of old, “Woe is me.” God the Father has been doing a great work in his heart. He has taught him the greatest lesson a lost soul can learn, that he has a need that nothing human can satisfy. Jesus had such souls in mind when He said, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me” (John 6.45). They have received private instruction from the Father. Not only that, they have learned. Learned what? Learned that they are needy, poverty-stricken sinners, with the penalty of death hanging over them. These, Jesus said, will “come unto me.” Such are the individuals that make up the Father’s gift to Jesus.
This gift is made up of unwanted people. The thief on the cross was unwanted by society, therefore they crucified him. To this poor, repentant soul Jesus spoke the encouraging words, “Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23. 43). The adulterous woman was unwanted by the group that had gathered to stone her. She was privileged to hear the blessed words from Christ, “Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more” (John 8. 11). The poor unwanted lepers, who had been driven from their homes and friends to live outside the city walls, experienced the gentle touch of Jesus’ hand, and heard Him say, “Be thou made clean” (Matthew 8. 3). The little children, whom the rebuke of the ignorant disciples would hold back, were welcomed to Christ’s arms when He said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God” (Luke 18. 16). The poor woman who fell down at Jesus’ feet, and who was nicknamed “a sinner,” felt the warm welcome of Christ when He gently informed her, “Thy sins are forgiven thee” (Luke 7. 48). In fact, all who come to Jesus are unwanted people. John the disciple wrote, “The world knoweth us not, because it knew him not” (1 John 3. 1). Yet such as these belong to the Father’s gift to Jesus.
This group is also made up of helpless people. They were not always such, for many had prided themselves on “doing the best they knew how.” Some had said they were “no worse than others,” and were “trying hard.” As long as they were in this state they did not belong to the gift that the Father was presenting to Jesus. Such people despise Jesus. They belong to the class of whom Jesus said, “This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mark 7. 6). However, when they finally come to the place where they can no longer help themselves, they have nothing good to say about themselves. Then the purpose of God’s law is fulfilled, namely, that “every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God” (Romans 3. 19). Now they use the language of Paul when he said, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1. 15). Blessed, then, is the individual who has come to the place of utter helplessness. If this is your state, thank God, for you belong to the gift that the Father is presenting to Jesus.
We have thus briefly considered the Father’s gift to Jesus. We were not flattered by the beauty of this gift. In fact, we may sum it all up by saying that the Father gave Jesus poor, miserable sinners. We have seen that no sinner was left out because of the vileness of his sin. Every imaginable type of sinner is represented in this gift. It is to the glory of the Father to turn over to Jesus every kind of sinner. Could any gift have more variety? How encouraging to know that the Father loved us so much that He made us a gift to His Son Jesus Christ!
All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6. 37.
God the Father is known as a generous Giver. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1. 17). His gifts have been many and costly. His heart was so moved with love for this sin-cursed earth that He gave the best of all His gifts, namely, Jesus Christ. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3. 16). But the Father gave a gift also to Jesus Christ. If He gave us the best He had, what could He give His only begotten Son? Our text has the answer.
Jesus said, “All that which the Father giveth me shall come unto me.” But then the question arises, Who are they that truly come to Jesus? If we find the answer to this question, we will know of whom the Father’s gift to Jesus consists. We know that no one ever comes to Jesus Christ unless the law of God drives him there. The purpose of the law is to “become our tutor to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3. 24). Only those will come to Christ who have permitted the law to do its work in their lives for “through the law cometh the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3. 20). The law makes sin “exceedingly sinful” (Romans 7. 13). When the law of God has rightfully done its work in a human heart, the sinner will see himself utterly lost and condemned apart from Christ. Only this type of a sinner will ever come to Christ as Saviour. Jesus summed up this truth in the following words: “No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him” (John 6. 44). This the Father does by mercilessly applying His law. This brings great conviction of sin. We may therefore conclude that it is the sinner who sees himself as lost and condemned that God presents as a gift to Jesus.
This gift then is made up of needy people. Such people never think of themselves as in any sense a gift of the Father to Jesus. In fact, they feel just the opposite. Their need is so great that they are described as hungry and thirsty. Of this class Jesus said, “Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5. 6). No person on earth is more needy than one who has been stripped of all self-righteousness. He sees himself a candidate for hell. He becomes desperate in his need. His heart cries out with the prophet of old, “Woe is me.” God the Father has been doing a great work in his heart. He has taught him the greatest lesson a lost soul can learn, that he has a need that nothing human can satisfy. Jesus had such souls in mind when He said, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me” (John 6.45). They have received private instruction from the Father. Not only that, they have learned. Learned what? Learned that they are needy, poverty-stricken sinners, with the penalty of death hanging over them. These, Jesus said, will “come unto me.” Such are the individuals that make up the Father’s gift to Jesus.
This gift is made up of unwanted people. The thief on the cross was unwanted by society, therefore they crucified him. To this poor, repentant soul Jesus spoke the encouraging words, “Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23. 43). The adulterous woman was unwanted by the group that had gathered to stone her. She was privileged to hear the blessed words from Christ, “Neither do I condemn thee: go thy way; from henceforth sin no more” (John 8. 11). The poor unwanted lepers, who had been driven from their homes and friends to live outside the city walls, experienced the gentle touch of Jesus’ hand, and heard Him say, “Be thou made clean” (Matthew 8. 3). The little children, whom the rebuke of the ignorant disciples would hold back, were welcomed to Christ’s arms when He said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God” (Luke 18. 16). The poor woman who fell down at Jesus’ feet, and who was nicknamed “a sinner,” felt the warm welcome of Christ when He gently informed her, “Thy sins are forgiven thee” (Luke 7. 48). In fact, all who come to Jesus are unwanted people. John the disciple wrote, “The world knoweth us not, because it knew him not” (1 John 3. 1). Yet such as these belong to the Father’s gift to Jesus.
This group is also made up of helpless people. They were not always such, for many had prided themselves on “doing the best they knew how.” Some had said they were “no worse than others,” and were “trying hard.” As long as they were in this state they did not belong to the gift that the Father was presenting to Jesus. Such people despise Jesus. They belong to the class of whom Jesus said, “This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mark 7. 6). However, when they finally come to the place where they can no longer help themselves, they have nothing good to say about themselves. Then the purpose of God’s law is fulfilled, namely, that “every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God” (Romans 3. 19). Now they use the language of Paul when he said, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1. 15). Blessed, then, is the individual who has come to the place of utter helplessness. If this is your state, thank God, for you belong to the gift that the Father is presenting to Jesus.
We have thus briefly considered the Father’s gift to Jesus. We were not flattered by the beauty of this gift. In fact, we may sum it all up by saying that the Father gave Jesus poor, miserable sinners. We have seen that no sinner was left out because of the vileness of his sin. Every imaginable type of sinner is represented in this gift. It is to the glory of the Father to turn over to Jesus every kind of sinner. Could any gift have more variety? How encouraging to know that the Father loved us so much that He made us a gift to His Son Jesus Christ!
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