Section IX
"Therefore, when we build, let us think that we
build forever and let us think as we lay stone upon stone that a time will come
when men will say, as they look upon the labor wrought, ‘See, this our
fathers did for us.’ ” (John Ruskin)
What can scarcely be true in a literal way (for
what works of men will last forever?) can certainly be true on the spiritual
level. "I have laid the foundation," said the apostle Paul. "Let every man take
heed how he buildeth thereupon" (1 Cor. 3:10). Let us do every work in the
ecclesia as though we were building for eternity, and one day our children will
say with grateful hearts, "See, this is what our fathers did for
us!"
* * * * *
“What will you give me?" "Thirty pieces of
silver" (Matt. 26:15). A handful of coins was enough to settle forever the
conflict between good and evil. For what price are we willing to "sell"
Christ?
* * * * *
"And when he had scourged Jesus...” The
Roman lash was often multi-thonged and inserted with pieces of lead, brass, or
pointed bone — so that when it was wielded with force, it tore away large
chunks of flesh, exposing veins, inner muscles, and sinews. Many men died under
the scourge, even before crucifixion. For others, it was called "the
intermediate death".
* * * * *
"The little letter to Philemon introduces us to
two men. One is the writer, an old man in chains. Contrary to all outward
appearance and though in prison, he was really free. Once, in his youth, he
thought he was free, but he was really in chains to the law of sin. But when
Christ came into his life he threw away his chains. Then, though in bonds, his
spirit was as free as the winds of heaven. He was free to rejoice, and he was at
peace.
"The other man is Onesimus. As a runaway slave,
he escaped in the hope of finding freedom. He learned that the world was not as
he imagined. His experience of earthly freedom was bitter: Rome's streets were
not gold, and the cobblestones were hard. Disillusioned, with empty pocket, in
rage, he sought out the ecclesia in Rome. And where did he find true
freedom?
"In the prison cell, from an old man in chains!
He found help, sympathy, love and the Truth. From Paul the prisoner he found
true freedom!" (Walter Draper)
* * * * *
Wishing
I wish I were big enough honestly to admit all of
my shortcomings;
Brilliant enough to accept praise without
becoming arrogant;
Tall enough to tower above all
deceit;
Strong enough to treasure love;
Brave enough to welcome
criticism;
Compassionate enough to understand human
frailties;
Wise enough to recognize my
mistakes;
Humble enough to appreciate
greatness;
Staunch enough to stand by my
friends;
Human enough to be thoughtful of my neighbors;
and
Righteous enough to be devoted to the love of
God."
(Selected)
* * * * *
The Lord's call, both to service and salvation,
often takes the form of a gracious invitation: "Whosoever will, let him take the
water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17). "If any man will come after me, let him...
follow me" (Matt. 16:24). Notice the kindness of these words. Yet we must not
forget that these loving appeals carry the weight of imperative
commands.
The story goes that a man once received an
invitation to a royal function, and that he showed up at the appointed time. The
king greeted him at the door, "We did not know we would have the pleasure of
your company, since you did not send us a message that you were coming." To this
the guest replied, "I am sorry, but I thought the invitation of a king was to be
obeyed, not answered." Likewise for us: do we really have a choice when the only
true King issues an "invitation"?
* * * * *
The “Ecclesia” in
Genesis
- A special place of worship (3:24; 4:7,16) set apart "before
the Lord" (18:22,23; 19:27; 25:22; 27:7).
- Priests:
Melchizedek (14:18; Psa. 110; Heb. 7); Cain and Abel (3:21; 4:4-7); Noah (8:20);
Abraham (15:10; 22:13); Isaac (26:25); Jacob (33:20); and Job (Job
1:5).
- Special garments for the priests (27:15;
37:3).
- Preacher: Noah (2 Pet.
2:5).
- Prophet: Abraham
(20:7).
- Forms of service: Laying on of hands (48:13-19);
removing of shoes (Exod. 3:5); bowing to ground (24:26-52; Exod.
4:31).
- Rituals and laws: Sabbath (2:3; 29:27; 50:10);
clean and unclean animals (7:2; 8:20), prohibition of eating blood (9:4), murder
(9:6; 42:22), adultery (12:18; 26:10; 39:9; 49:4), fornication (34:7), and alien
marriage (6:2; 34:14); oaths and vows (26:28; 28:20; 31:3); purification (35:2);
the law of the birthright (25:31); and Levirate marriage
(38:8).
* * * * *
Lot chose the established cities of the Jordan
plain, but Abraham continued in the hill country, dwelling in tents, as did
Isaac and Jacob (Heb. 11:8,9). The Hebrew word for "tent" is "ohel", which means
"to shine" and thus "to be visible at a distance", as a tent on an expanse of
desert in eastern countries. A fitting illustration of how the servants of God
should stand out clearly for the world to see: "Ye are the light of the world. A
city that is set on a hill cannot be hid" (Matt. 5:14).
* * * * *
A Greek philosopher who observed second-century
believers was profoundly impressed by their "pure religion", especially their
compassion and concern for the needy. He wrote, "They love one another. They do
not overlook the widow, and they save the orphan. When they see strangers, they
take them under their own roof... they do not call themselves brothers according
to the flesh but according to the spirit. And whenever one of their poor has
died, each of them according to his ability contributes ungrudgingly, and they
bury him. And if they hear that some are condemned or imprisoned on account of
the name of their Lord, they contribute... and send to them what they need, and
if it is possible, they redeem them. And if there is any that is a slave or a
poor man, they fast two or three days, and what they were going to set before
themselves they send to them."
* * * * *
Ecclesial membership does not make one a
''Christadelphian" any more than owning a piano makes one a
musician.
* * * * *
Solomon's reign is typically prophetic of
Christ's reign:
- Jerusalem the throne: 1 Chron. 29:33 (Jer.
3:17).
- One king and a united nation: 1 Kings 4:20 (Ezek.
37:22).
- Israel powerful: 1 Kings 4:20 (Micah
4:7).
- Israel chief to the nations: 1 Kings 4:21 (Micah
4:8).
- Gentiles bring tribute: 2 Chron. 9;23,24 (Isa.
60:11).
- Great fertility: 1 Kings 4:22-28 (Isa.
35:1,2).
- Submissive nations: 1 Kings 4:21 (Psa.
72:8).
- Security and peace: 1 Kings 4:25 (Ezek.
34:28).
- Jerusalem the center of wisdom: 1 Kings 4:34
(Isa. 2:2).
- Jerusalem the center of worship: 2 Chron.
9:23 (Zech. 14:16).
- The temple built: 1 Kings 6 (Zech.
6:13).
- Gentiles involved in its building: 2 Chron. 2:2
(Isa. 60:10).
- Zadok the priest: 1 Kings 1:34 (Heb.
7:11,12).
- "Satan" to be bound: 1 Kings 5:4 (Rev.
20:2).
- Israel to be a blessing to others: 2 Chron. 9:26
(Isa. 19:25).
* * * * *
Speak Gently
Speak gently! It is better far to rule by love
than fear;
Speak gently! Let no harsh words mar the good we
might do here.
Speak gently! For love whispers low the vows that
true hearts bind;
And gently friendship’s accents flow
— affection’s voice is kind.
Speak gently to the young, for they will have
enough to bear.
Pass through this life as best they may,
it’s full of anxious care.
Speak gently to the aged one, grieve not the
careworn heart;
The sands of time are nearly run, let each in
peace depart.
Speak gently to the erring; they may have toiled
in vain.
Perhaps unkindness made them so — Oh, win
them back again!
Speak gently. He who gave his life to bend
man’s stubborn will,
When elements were in fierce strife, said to
them, “Peace! Be still.”
Speak gently. ’Tis a little thing dropped
in the heart’s deep well.
The good, the joy, which it may bring —
eternity will tell.
(Author unknown)
* * * * *
The thickest clouds often bring the heaviest
showers of blessing.
* * * * *
God is working out His purpose, every day and
everywhere. While we deliberate, He reigns. While we worry, He reigns. When we
"decide” — whether wisely or foolishly — He reigns. When we
serve Him self-assertively, or when we rebel, or do as we please, He still
reigns: The Alpha and Omega; He who was, who is, and who is to come. To believe
this is to go unafraid into the future.
* * * * *
The Biblical "law of mathematics": A little sin
will add to your trouble, subtract
from your energy, divide your loyalties, and
multiply your difficulties.
* * * * *
"No one can appreciate so fully as a doctor the
amazingly large percentage of human disease and suffering which is directly
traceable to worry, fear, conflict, immorality, dissipation, and ignorance
— to unwholesome thinking and unclean living. Sincere acceptance of
Christ... would at once wipe out more than half the difficulties, diseases, and
sorrows of the human race." (S.I. McMillen, None of These
Diseases)
* * * * *
God always gives us what we ask for... or
something better!
* * * * *
In Joshua 15:7 the road from Jericho to Jerusalem
is called the "going up of Adummim" — which is better translated "the Red
Climb" or "the Ascent of Blood". When the explorer Corder made his survey of
Palestine over a hundred years ago, he noted the existence of red clay in this
locality — thus the "Red Climb". But in Jesus' day, when the road was
invested with bandits, the second meaning would have been quite appropriate
(Luke 10:30-37).
* * * * *
"I hold it for a most infallible rule in the
exposition of Scripture, that when a literal construction will stand, the
furthest from the letter is commonly the worst." (Hooker)
* * * * *
Boys of the hills grow larger views
For are the hills not high?
And does not climbing exercise
The will of those who try?
The highest peak is first to
see
The glory of the dawn,
And that same peak can see the sun
When others think it’s
gone.
Up to the hills he lifts his
eyes.
From whence shall come his aid?
His safety cometh from the Lord
Who Heaven and Earth hath made.
And thus the little son of God
In Galilee's green hills
Soon learned to trust God's staff and rod
To keep him from all ills.
O Nazareth, thy very streets
Should shout aloud for joy,
For they did feel the happy feet
Of God's own little boy.
(William B. Tunstall)
* * * * *
"How do you account for the fact that so many of
the apostles were chosen from this class of fishermen? It could not have been
accidental. There was, no doubt, an adaptation, a fitness in the occupation of
these men to develop just those attitudes of character most needed in the
apostolic office. There are various modes of fishing, and each calculated to
cultivate and strengthen some particular moral quality of great importance in
their mission.
"Thus angling requires patience, and great
perseverance and caution.... Fishing with the hand net... requires a keen eye,
an active frame, and great skill in throwing the net. Such a fisherman, too,
must be patient, watchful, wide awake, and prompt to seize the exact moment to
throw.
"Then there is the great dragnet, the working of
which teaches the value of united effort. No one occupation of humble life
— not even that of the shepherd — calls into exercise and develops
so many of the elements necessary for... a religious teacher as this of
fishing." (Thomson)
* * * * *
"It is no exaggeration to say that as a result of
the teaching of evolution, thousands of young men and women have lost their
faith in God and His Word; as a consequence of which they have turned from light
to darkness and sin. A theory that is morally wrong cannot be scientifically
right." (Selected)
* * * * *
"For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is only a vision.
But today well-lived makes
Yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of
hope."
(Selected)
* * * * *
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at
the house of God" (1 Peter 4:17). An echo of Ezekiel 9:6 — "Slay utterly
old and young... and begin at My sanctuary."
* * * * *
"What were we made for? To know God. What aim
should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the best thing in life,
bringing more joy, delight and contentment, than anything else? Knowledge of
God." (Packer)
* * * * *
The Touch of the Master’s
Hand
’Twas battered and scarred, and the
auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his
while
To waste much time on the old
violin,
But held it up with a smile:
“What am I bidden, good folks,” he
cried,
“Who’ll start the bidding for
me?”
“A dollar, a dollar”; then,
“Two!” Only two?
Two dollars, and who’ll make it
three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars,
twice;
Going for three...” But
no!
From the room, far back, a gray-haired
man
Came forward and picked up the
bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old
violin,
And tightening the loose
strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the
auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and
low,
Said, “What am I bid for the old
violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.
“A thousand dollars, and who’ll make
it two?
Two thousand! And who’ll make it
three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand,
twice,
And going, and gone,” said
he.
The people cheered, but some of them
cried,
“We do not quite
understand
What changed its worth.” Swift came the
reply:
“The touch of the master’s
hand.”
And many a man with life out of
tune,
And battered and scarred with
sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless
crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A “mess of pottage”, a glass of
wine;
A game — and he travels
on.
He is “going” once, and
“going” twice,
He’s “going” and almost
“gone”.
But the Master comes, and the foolish
crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that’s
wrought
By the touch of the Master’s
hand.
(M.B. Welch)
* * * * *
"The Book of Job is one of the most remarkable,
not only in the Bible, but in all literature. As was said of Goliath's sword
— 'There is none like it', none in ancient or modern literature. Hence the
difficulty of those who have labored to define the class of compositions to
which it belongs. It belongs to no class; it is a class by itself."
(Kitto)
* * * * *
“ ‘Immanuel’ — This
lovely name of Messiah is, in effect, the Alpha and Omega of Matthew's gospel.
It is there in chapter 1: 'They shall call his name Immanuel... God with us.'
And the last words of the gospel are, 'Lo, I am with you always, even to the end
of the world.’ ” (H.A. Whittaker)
* * * * *
"They have driven me out this day from abiding in
the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go, serve other gods" (1 Sam. 26:19).
David's sad words here demonstrate that his
greatest sense of loss in exile was not that of his personal comfort or material
prosperity, but rather his opportunity for fellowship with God. By making him an
outcast, his countrymen were cutting him off from the tabernacle and the altar,
and ‘suggesting’ that he serve other gods. In our zeal to do right,
our ecclesias should consider whether their treatment of offenders might not
have the same effect. It is impossible to justify the
‘middle-of-the-road’ course in a matter of disfellowship —
that is, to ‘separate’ or ‘withdraw’ while still
attaching no taint of moral judgment. For an ecclesia to practice
excommunication, while holding out no realistic possibility of refellowship, is
in effect to tell the brother or sister involved, ‘Go, serve other
gods!’
* * * * *
"But Jesus said unto them, 'They need not depart;
give ye them to eat'" (Matt. 14:16): None need depart empty-handed or hungry
from the presence of Jesus. The bread that he provides is for
all.
* * * * *
Why was it necessary that the Son of Man be
betrayed with a kiss (Matt. 26:48,49)? There is, of course, the obvious
symbolism: the deceitful treachery of a familiar friend. But, on close
examination, there would appear to be a practical reason for Judas to suggest a
kiss: the time set for Jesus' arrest was night, and the place a rather secluded
garden. The Jews bent on taking Jesus must have realized that, in the confusion
of an arrest, he could slip out of their hands quite easily. The trick would be
to single him out from his followers while they were still at some distance, so
that the soldiers would know which of the shadowy figures to pursue and lay
hands on. (Under normal visibility there would have been no problem identifying
Jesus.) And thus the stratagem of having Judas precede the multitude, for only a
member of the inner circle (so they would suppose) could get close enough to
single out the leader from his followers.