Jesus' Last Hours

“The Master saith, My time is at hand.”

(Matt. 26:18)

Although Our Lord spoke of His rejection, sufferings, and death on various occasions, still His disciples did not grasp the full depth of this upcoming event. Only Mary did, showing it to be so, by the anointing of His body for the burying.

The last hours of our Saviour’s life on earth are very instructive for those who are spiritually-minded. For over three years He had spoken of this day that now, says He, has arrived. This truth awards us with faith to face the future, no matter what it has in store for us, if we permit it.

Christ did not sit around and feel sorry for himself, as Saul of old, but was busy being a blessing to the end. He had supper with His friends, the disciples; taught them a lesson on humility, by washing their feet; led them in a song; prayed for them in His high priestly prayer; and instructed them concerning their union with Him in the story of the vine and branches. He then left them with the sight of Him accepting God’s will for His life by His Gethsemane experience. Then, His final example: how to die in the Will of God.

Jesus never resented others not sharing in His suffering, and particular predicament. He did not begrudge them their physical health or material blessings.  There was no, “Why me?” but rather, “Why not me?” He had “Set His face like a flint.” You did not hear, “What shall this man do?” But rather, “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” Jesus lived life to its fullest, right up to the end. Let’s do the same.

“He who planned my coming into the world, has planned my leaving it.”

(rds)

Acquainted With God

“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” When the Word of God (A.V.1611) speaks of being acquainted with someone or something, it does not mean what we generally take it to mean today. Rather than a slight familiarity, it can mean a deep knowledge of the subject. For example, Jesus was “acquainted with grief.”

Much, in some circles, is made of the Word of God, but little of the God of the Word. The purpose of the former is to reveal to us the latter. To stop short with the first is to remain in the Outer Court of the Tabernacle, so to speak, without ever entering the Holy of Holies where God abides. The Laver (type of the Word of God), which was without the Veil, was a preparatory means in one’s approach to God within the Veil.

Many pride themselves and flaunt the fact that they know the Word of God. But after spending only a few minutes in their presence, it is obvious they know little or nothing of The Book’s author! Satan can quote scripture, the Pharisee’s had a working knowledge of it, and the Scribe’s were considered interpreters of the scriptures; yet none of these had a deep and meaningful relationship with God.

“John Owen and John Calvin knew more theology than John Bunyan or Billy Bray, but who would deny that the latter pair knew their God every bit as well as the former?”

(J.I. Packer)

Fruitless Fantasies

“But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I  thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.”

(2Kgs. 5:11-12)

In the above story we see things didn’t go the way Naaman thought they would. Those of us who have some years chalked up to us can testify they usually do not. Reality rarely matches the ideal.  Therefore, we need to learn as the old adage used by the boxing professionals goes, to “roll with the punches.” If we do not, like Naaman, we may end up in a stew.

I remember, when just a boy, how the girls would see a large flock of innumerable birds flying overhead and would point and say, “There goes my wedding.” But most, if not all, never saw the fruit of their youthful imagery. And so it was with us boys, though in a different vein. For some, reality set in early in life; with others, it came later. But sooner or later, all had their idealistic bubbles burst.

If we are to overcome the anxieties and frustrations of a pre-planned life, on our part it is necessary, before God, to recognize and surrender to His predestined plan for us. It is to be found in the Word of God and on our knees in prayer. It is a day by day thing, trusting Him to lead moment by moment. Refuse to conjure up any thought about how your life will be lived.

We are to live by faith, not fantasies!

Don't Give Up

“And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.”

It dawned on me recently that the only thing Jesus ever gave up was the “ghost” (the spirit of a dead man), at His death. If there was ever an individual that had an excuse to give up, it was He. And we are not speaking of isolated occasions, but numerous ones. In spite of all the trials, misunderstandings, and sufferings of life, He never quit on God. Isaiah tells us of Him, prophetically, “He shall not be discouraged.”  To one who is familiar with the gospel account of His earthly life, this is indeed a startling statement, is it not?

It is recorded of Him, “He shall not fail nor be discouraged,” and “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” This included the Cross and all that was associated with it. A great number around Him were giving up, even those close to Him, but that didn’t dissuade Him, “He set His face like a flint.” He had burned all His bridges; there was no going back! Hebrews hints at what His secret of endurance was — He kept His eyes on the joy that was set before Him. The writer of this blessed book then tells us we are to, “Consider Him that endured.”

“Dust, rusty nails, and blood notwithstanding, the ground at the foot of the Cross is the only vantage point from which to view life clearly. To see things there is to see them truly.”

(Rebecca Manley Pippert)

The Last Leaf

“...as the leaf falleth off from the vine...we all do fade as a leaf...as a leaf...the wind, [has] taken us away.”

(Isa. 34:4 ;64:6)

I read something recently that brought to my mind an incident that took place in my second pastorate. One fall day I was lying on a couch resting for our Wednesday evening service. As I stared out the window I noticed on the giant oak tree in our front yard a lone leaf left on the tree. I remember distinctly saying to myself, “Someday that will be me.”

Well, that day has come, I am now alone, all my immediate family, on my side, have fallen into the ground and died. Mother, father, sister, and others, all gone. I only am left, awaiting that one last strong wind to do its job. I know not the time or day that gust of wind will come, but I do know I am ready. That is, as ready as an old redeemed sinner can be. As David of old, I find myself listening for the “sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees” (2 Sam. 5:24).

My question to our readers today is, “Are you ready for that last blast of wind in your life?” It may be sooner than you expect. The clouds may be forming just over the horizon.  Many are too busy living to take time to think about their unenviable departure. As the much quoted saying goes, “You’re not ready to live until you’re ready to die.” Remember, as the old Puritan said, “This world is only a Inn, a place to stop over on our way Home.”

“Will you be homesick in Heaven?”

(rds)

Laying Hold of God

  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended.

The word “apprehend” has a twofold definition, one of which is “arrest, capture, seize.” Christ had laid hold of Paul. Now the Apostle wants it to be mutual. Formalists are self-satisfied and complacent. Their religion consists of some external rite or subscribing to a written creed. Paul’s goal was Christ and Christ alone. Though he admittedly had not, and would not, fully apprehend Christ in this life, he nonetheless kept reaching for Him.

We should never be satisfied with our spiritual attainments; we ought to have a sanctified dissatisfaction. There should always be an ongoing progress. Paul disclaimed any kind of moral or spiritual perfection; but he continued striving.

People tell us we need to get a grip on ourselves, but actually we need to get a grip on God! If we are Christians, God has hold of us. But when we lay hold of Him, like Jacob of old, we become a prince with God.

“I will not let thee go, except thou bless me,” said God’s problem child, who became a prince with God.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Songs and Prayer in the Night

“...in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.”

(Psa. 42:8)

Darling David, who had his share of troubles in life, tells us that he sang and prayed during these dreaded times. His soul was cast down, he was weeping, the waves of worry had covered him, the chants of the enemy were continually, “Where is thy God?” Yet in spite of all the darkness he had “hope in God.” Thus, during the blackness of the night he sang and prayed to his God!

In the Bible we see this in the lives of others God saw fit to try and prove. In Acts chapter sixteen Paul and Silas, in a prison cell, with their feet in stocks, backs bleeding from the whip, sang and prayed to their God at the midnight hour. After this, there was an earth-shaking experience in their lives.

And what of the One who was greater than David? When Judas betrayed Him we are told, “it was night,” (Jn.13:30). During this time, which St. John of the Cross calls, “The Dark Night of the Soul, “our Lord sang a hymn (Matt. 26:30-31), then went to Gethsemane to pray, (Matt. 26:36).

By singing to the Lord we get His ear; by praying to the Lord we get His heart.

(rds)

Born Into Troubles

The book of Job records, “Man is born unto trouble.” No one is exempt from these troubling troubles. Even the “man after God’s own heart,” testified, “My soul is full of troubles.”

Job was bragged on by God to Satan when He said of the old patriarch, “There is none like him in the earth.”  But in spite of this, this good and godly man tells us, “Yet trouble came.”

The apostle Paul was “troubled on every side,” as he put it. Yet, he admonishes the Thessalonian believers (and us), “To you who are troubled rest with us.” Every saint should be able to sing from their heart, “I have found a resting place.” That place first being used by John the Beloved, “leaning on Jesus bosom.”

Again, going to the book of Job, we find a question each troubled soul is brought face to face with. A question that requires an honest answer, “Are the consolations of God [too] small with thee?” What be your answer, child of the Living God?

"I have great relief in talking of my blessings rather than my troubles."

(rds)

Condemned For Continuing

“And Jesus said unto her, neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” Carnal Christians love to quote the first part of this text to justify their lax lifestyle. It’s amazing how sinning saints can become so Bible oriented when attempting to vindicate themselves. When the devil quoted scripture to Jesus on the mount he left out an important portion. So it is not difficult to see where these types of people get such an idea.

Paul had to deal with this kind of heresy in his day also. There were those who wanted to be saved by grace, but continue in sin. The apostle’s reply to such was, “God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Certainly, as long as we have the old Adamic nature we will not be free form sin, but neither are we free to sin. Like the old time preacher used to say, “A sheep may fall into a mud hole, but it’s not his nature to stay there; on the other hand, the old sow will wallow in it.”

After forgiving the immoral woman Jesus told her that in the future her previous life style was to cease. It’s a serious thing to continue in sin once forgiven. Remember Jesus words to the man at the pool of Bethesda, “Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.”

“No man is condemned for anything he has done: he is condemned for continuing to do wrong. He is condemned for not coming out of the darkness, for not coming to the light.” (George MacDonald)

Comfortable Clothing

“He hath clothed me…He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.” There is no doubt the songwriter had this text in mind when he penned, “Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.” I can understand the lost religionist, as the Jews of Paul’s day, “…going about to establish their own righteousness”; but for saints “complete in Him,” it’s hard to understand.

Why anyone would go back to an old discarded pile of “filthy rags” to adorn themselves, when they are clothed in His spotless robe, I’ll never know. I can only guess that it is the old self-righteous, Adamic nature still attempting to cover itself with shrinking “fig leaves.” I find such people live under constant condemnation in just about everything they do, not realizing they’re “accepted in the Beloved.”

Righteousness is not naturally ingrained, it is divinely imputed! The more cracks in the earthen vessel the more it shines forth. God is not fooled by our external showmanship. We may impress blinded believers but never an all-knowing God. To acclaim one’s own righteousness is a slap in the face of Jesus Christ. For the Bible plainly tells us, “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us…righteousness.”

As people grow older they no longer concern themselves with impressive attire, but rather, with comfortable clothing. I am very comfortable and relaxed clothed in His Righteousness!

It's Not the Way We Thought

In this play-acting age of Christianity, closeness to God is not what we see portrayed on the stages in most of the local Christian “theaters” attended each Sunday morning.

John Newton, the writer of Amazing Grace, who referred to himself before his conversion as “the old blaspheming African slave-trader,” had it right when he wrote the following:

I asked the Lord that I might grow

In faith and love and every grace,

Might more of his salvation know

And seek more earnestly His face.

‘Twas He Who taught me thus to pray,

And He, I trust, has answered prayer;

But it has been in such a way

As almost drove me to despair.

I thought in some favored hour

At once He’d answer my request

And by His love’s constraining power

Subdue my sins and give me rest.

Instead of that, He made me feel

The hidden evils of my heart,

And bade the angry powers of Hell

Assault my soul in every part.

Nay, more, with His own hand he seemed

Intent to aggravate my woe.

Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,

Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

“Lord, why is this?” I trembling cried.

“Wilt thou pursue this worm to death?”

“This is the way,” the Lord replied,

“I answer prayer for grace and faith.”

“These inward trials I employ

From self and sin to set thee free

And cross they schemes of earthly joy,

That thou might’st find thy all in Me.”

A Lesson From a Leper

In Leviticus chapter thirteen we find the law of the leper. While reading this portion of scripture, I was struck by the oft repeated seven day waiting period before he could know the results of the priest’s evaluation. Any of us who have had a serious medical condition can relate to this patient in waiting. What agony he, along with his family, must have gone through. Yet this is the way God has ordained life. It seems to be one long waiting period.

We wait for a child to be born; we wait for advancement; we wait for graduation; we wait for a meal to be prepared; we wait and wait and wait. We are impatient creatures; we want life to be instantaneous. But God is never, and can never, be rushed. Isaiah tells us “…therefore will the Lord wait…blessed are all they that wait for him.” It’s the patient people who are the blessed people. Whenever you find God doing something “suddenly” in the scriptures you will find a long period of waiting leading up to the event. Pentecost came suddenly, but only after a fifty day wait.

Has it been a long night for you, dear one? Just wait a little longer, “…joy cometh in the morning.”

Motive is Everything

“And the LORD said unto David ...Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart. Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son…Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God…I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house…[Lord] give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart...to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.

(1 Kgs. 8:18-19;1 Chr, 29:2-3;19)

There are times in all the saints' lives, that for one reason or another, we cannot do what we would like and intend to do; even though it will glorify God. It is a good and right thing we want to do for our God, but He has reserved it for someone else to do. What humility this man after God’s own heart had! He planned and provided for it, yet it is called Solomon’s Temple. He didn’t let someone else getting the credit keep him from putting his all into it! God knows what we would do if we could do it.

Motive goes a long way with God. The poor widow that gave all she had, would have given more had she had it, indicates our Lord. And the devoted one who poured her best perfume upon Him proved she would have done more if she could have. Jesus tells us, “She hath done what she could.” The Macedonian believers desired to do so much more than they were doing, but were unable, Paul tells us.

Mrs. Ina Ogden had great hopes as a young girl of being a missionary, but circumstances dashed these hopes against the rocks. Her father had fallen sick and instead she cared for him. She wrote a song that grew out of her desire, "That I should try to make things as cheerful as possible for my father." Her intent in writing the song, said she, was "to remind Christians the pulpit and mission field were not the only places one might make a difference for the Kingdom of God." Hence, the song, "Brighten the Corner," came into being.

​​"Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,

Do not wait to shed your light afar,

To the many duties ever near you now be true,

Brighten the corner where you are."

Praying

“Men ought always to pray...” Our Lord did not say we should want to, but that we ought to pray. Flesh will never, and can never, fulfill the former. Therefore, if we wait until we feel like praying, it will never be done.

Whenever you get on your knees to pray, make up your mind that you are entering the battle of your life. It is interesting that the armour we are to attire ourselves in, spoken of in Ephesians six, has to do mainly with when we pray.

Prayer is not only a privilege, but a sacred duty. Like the Old Testament priests, it is part of our “…duty of every day.” The New Testament proof text that we are to pray daily is found in, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Whenever I feel least like praying, I find it is then I need it most. It is well to remember that God’s benefits follow our obedience. It was “…after they had prayed,” things started happening.

But it is important not to forget that prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue. When you pray you talk to God, when you read the Bible, God talks to you. Let’s make sure the conversation is not one-sided in our favour.

“The angel fetched Peter out of prison, but it was prayer that fetched the angel.”

Thomas Watson, Puritan