In the Grip of Grace

IN THE GRIP OF GRACE

2 Corinthians 5: 13For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

There are those who cannot escape the hold and the infatuation of the Cross. They are baffled by the fact that they have been chosen by Jesus; purchased by His precious blood; re-directed to His purposes; walking daily in His "whisperings"; looking for the revelation of Him in everyday occurrence. Church program plays small part in this; rather the love of Christ.

To the world they appear immensely impractical, naive, lop-sided, headed for disappointment, painfully fastidious. It is suspected that they strain to the breakingpoint in moderation, forgiveness, self-immolation, salted speech and good report.

They will lose friends and opportunity.

But in fact their little lights in vessels of clay, operating in mystic concert though the unifying influence of the Holy Spirit, will bring for God the victories of a Gideon 1

(Judges 7). In time they will be seen as the real movers and healers of the City.

Concerning the above passage of scripture Oswald Chambers states an unforgettable thing: "When we are born again by the Spirit of God, our testimony is based solely on what God has done for us, and rightly so. But that will change and be removed forever once you “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .” (Acts 1:8).

Only then will you begin to realize what Jesus meant when He went on to say, “. . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . . .” Not witnesses to what Jesus can do— that is basic and understood— but “witnesses to Me . . . .” We will accept everything that happens as if it were happening to Him, whether we receive praise or blame, persecution or reward. No one is able to take this stand for Jesus Christ who is not totally compelled by the majesty of His power. It is the only thing that matters, and yet it is strange that it’s the last thing we as Christian workers realize. Paul said that he was gripped by the love of God and that is why he acted as he did. People could perceive him as mad or sane-he did not care. There was only one thing he lived for— to persuade people of the coming judgment of God and to tell them of “the love of Christ.” This total surrender to “the love of Christ” is the only thing that will bear fruit in your life. And it will always leave the mark of God’s holiness and His power, never drawing attention to your personal holiness." (February 4, My Utmost for His Highest)

TOUCHING JESUS I have mentioned to many how impressed I have been with the account of Jesus' tireless service to people in Luke chapters 7 and 8.

If only people could get near and touch the Master in His travels. The old Gospel chorus by John Stallings told the following: A woman tried many physicians, Yet grew worse, so to Jesus she came.

And when the crowd tried to restrain her, She whispered these words through her pain.

Chorus: Touching Jesus is all that really matters, Then your life will never be the same.

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There is only one way to touch Him, Just believe when you call on His name.

We read about the woman with the issue of blood touching the hem of His garment.

She was considered accursed. Untouchable. Barred from worship. Denied normal relations with her husband. Having spent all her substance on physicians.

Then there was the funeral procession in Nain with the unfortunate young man and the grieving widow mother. Jesus touched the funeral bier and the young man was restored to life.

Then there was the sinner woman who came to the Pharisee's home to anoint Jesus' feet with ointmant and caresses of adoration. She got her reward of absolution.

Then there was the little twelve year old girl dying in the household of Jairus, but called back to life by the compassionate bedroom visit of the Master, as He took her by the hand.

But let me draw your attention to the incident at the beginning of chapter 7 concerning the Roman centurion with the critically ill servant. He stated that he was not worthy of personal attendance from Jesus. Simply state the word of healing as a person in authority and the servant would be healed. To the centurion it was as fundamental as words of command in the military. Speak it and it shall be done. Jesus marveled at such a grasp of faith.

Was this not a touching of Jesus? Was the Master not going to wean His disciples off His physical presence and into the arena of petition and prayer in faith? We can see in the appearances of Christ after resurrection a coming and going as if by magic. This was moving the eleven out of the realm of tactile connection and into the realm of victorious faith as His ambassadors and servants through the Spirit.

That too is our mandate.

ASK, AND ASK AGAIN Psalm 107 is one of my favourites. Many types of deliverances or rescues are described -from homelessness, hunger, captivity, illness, storms, natural disasters, 3

barren land, rough waters, oppression, loneliness. The list seems endless and one is given the impression that God does not tire of our requests, but rather delights in them.

Do we ever get the impression in prayer that God is close, saying, "Go ahead, ask me for more. Display again your dependence and trust. And when you ask remember Who takes up the larger share of the burden."

It is more than likely that we see Him like some handy and available neighbour with the tools and skills, but who, we fear, sets a limit to the favours to be rendered or the equipment to be borrowed.

Listen to Charles Spurgeon's introduction to this psalm in "The Treasury of David": "This is a choice song for the redeemed of the Lord (Ps 107:2). Although it celebrates providential deliverances, and therefore may be sung by any man whose life has been preserved in time of danger; yet under cover of this, it mainly magnifies the Lord for spiritual blessings, of which temporal favours are but types arid shadows. The theme is thanksgiving, and the motives for it. The construction of the psalm is highly poetical, and merely as a composition it would be hard to find its compeer among human productions. The bards of the Bible hold no second place among the sons of song."

For verse 6: "Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble. Not till they were in extremities did they pray, but the mercy is that they prayed then, and prayed in the right manner, with a cry, and to the right person, even to the Lord. Nothing else remained for them to do; they could not help themselves, or find help in others, and therefore they cried to God. Supplications which are forced out of us by stern necessity are none the less acceptable with God; but, indeed, they have all the more prevalence, since they are evidently sincere, and make a powerful appeal to the divine pity. Some men will never pray till they are half starved, and for their best interests it is far better for them to be empty and faint than to be full and stouthearted. If hunger brings us to our knees it is more useful to us than feasting; if thirst drives us to the fountain it is better than the deepest draughts of worldly joys; and if fainting leads to crying it is better than the strength of the mighty, And he delivered them out of their distresses. Deliverance follows prayer most surely. The cry must have been very feeble, for they were faint, and their faith was as weak as their cry; but yet they were heard, and heard at once. A little delay would have been their death: but there was none, for the Lord was ready to save them. The Lord delights to come in when no one else can be of the slightest 4

avail. The case was hopeless till Jehovah interposed, and then all was changed immediately; the people were shut up, straitened, and almost pressed to death, but enlargement came to them at once when they began to remember their God, and look to him in prayer. Those deserve to die of hunger who will not so much as ask for bread, and he who being lost in a desert will not beg the aid of a guide cannot be pitied even if he perish in the wilds and feed the vultures with his flesh."

43Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

TRUTH DESPISED This "born again" A phrase of men That sits not well with me.

And all the blood A cleansing flood That flows from Calvary?

Must each address His sinful mess As if to start anew?

Will not the priest And Easter's feast Suffice to see us through?

But then a word My spirit heard Providing precious light.

'The chicks from eggs, The tadpole's legs, The Monarch at first flight.

The fruit from flower, 5

The rainbow shower, The acorn, then the tree.'

And truth despised Meets clearer eyes And sets this captive free.

Ezekiel 36: 25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

THE BELL-WEATHER

A young sheep has proved itself dangerously rebellious and independent.

Continuously it goes into hazardous places, eating inappropriate foods, spurning the fellowship of the flock.

Soon the Shepherd will apply the old remedy. He takes the sheep and swiftly breaks one of its delicate legs. The sheep is stunned by this uncharacteristic behaviour. With low and soothing words and sounds the Shepherd sets the fracture and holds the patient effortlessly in his strong and capable arms, speaking affectionately to it.

In the days to follow, as the flock travels to one and another grazing place or refreshing stream, the Shepherd carries his charge on his shoulders and close to his heart. They are in constant communication. The little sheep observes his Master's vigilance and service for the flock; his patience with the faltering; his resilience in changing weather; his sparing use of harsh words; his laughter at the gamboling antics of the little ones; his patient application of oil and herbal mixtures to alleviate a malady or the constant irritation of summer's insects; his physical stamina; his 6

predisposition to song or the wise old village adages. The sheep has come to realize that the beating heart beneath his mending frame is a heart of love.

The day arrives when the broken leg is healed. The Shepherd then applies a small bell around the sheep's neck. The sheep takes this as a special gift from his leader-healerfriend.

Henceforth the "bell-weather" chooses to remain close to the Shepherd. Other sheep note the peculiar comfort and intimacy of their relationship. They fall in beside the ringing one. To be close to that sound is to be close to the safety, provision and growing delight of the Good Shepherd.

Isaiah 40: 10Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

DIVINE, OH YES

Make no mistake about it. The Gospel of John resonates with the declaration that Jesus is God. The consummate Word was with Him at the beginning. He shall be with Him at the end. He dwelt (tabernacled) among us.

Jehovah, in and through the burning bush, said to Moses "I am sends you". The great "I am". We simply fill in the blank...peace, forgiveness, purpose, protection, health, deliverance, restoration, wisdom, contentment. All found in God. But we do not 7

name Him as if having some haughty handle on who He really is. He names everything according to His purpose.

Jesus comes along in John's Gospel with many self-disclosures of "I am".

I am the Living Water. (ch. 4 and ch. 7) I am the Living Bread. (ch. 6) I am from above. (ch. 8) Before Abraham was, I am. (ch. 8) I am the Light of the World. (ch. 9) I am the Door of the sheep. (ch. 10) I am the Good Shepherd. (ch. 10) I am the Resurrection and the Life. (ch. 11) I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. (ch. 14) I am the True Vine. (ch. 15) I am Jesus of Nazareth, the intended captive and victim. (ch. 18) I am a King. (ch. 18) God the Son came into this mortal sphere to feel, to obey, to serve, to die, to reverse the curse, to be raised as Victor. In all of this He is our Captain, Example and Forerunner. His life journey of some thirty-three years was the supreme faith journey.

He gives us hope for a love and a power to follow in His steps.

I remember having a dream in which I stood alone in a room with numerous doors and windows. I had the premonition that in just a moment's time all latches on all of these points of entry would snap closed. It had not happened, but the sense of expectation was almost palpable. Suddenly "click, click, click"...all around me. My heart leapt with a joy unprecedented.

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The Spirit said to me, "Just so shall it be at the time of the coming again of the Son of God".

Let's be found ready. Let's realize Him in our midst in accordance with all things promised.

SHE ALWAYS KNEW Acts 16: 9,10 records the Macedonian Call of Paul the Apostle. In a night vision he saw a Greek man calling, "Come over into Macedonia and help us." This launched the spread of the Gospel into Europe.

Charles Cowman had a similar supernatural call into Japan. With his wife Lettie he would initiate the Oriental Missionary Society. This group of dedicated witnesses would accomplish a door-to-door visitation of every household in Japan, EVERY ONE! Friendly discussion and tract distribution were the focus of this effort.

In one incident reported by a worker there had been an encounter with a middle-aged home-maker. She had received a brief account of the ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. She was told that He was freely available to carry her burdens and to usher her, one day, into heaven.

Without any hesitation she reached forward and took the tract, saying, "I always knew there had to be a God like that." And that is the case with many. They are meek. They are approachable. Their lives have not been easy. Other more aggressive ones have always caught the brass ring. They are ready to hear that the true God relates to their struggles; offers strength and guidance freely; offers release from guilt and confusion; one day will right all wrongs and avenge and elevate the meek.

I am reminded of a key verse from Psalm 37. It does not read, perhaps, as one might expect: 11. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Peace? Many today in the western church have been instructed to fill in the blank with prosperity, comfort, influence or recognition. But primarily ours is a Gospel of peace, overcoming peace.

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I look today at Japan and the ongoing devastation of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear peril. I see crowds of people in tears with no ready solutions, but conducting themselves lawfully, quietly and in order. Theirs is a situation which must not be forgotten at the next thunder-clap of notable news in the headlines. They must have tangible support in cash, food, medicine and equipment. They must also be visited again with the message of the Christ of Charles and Lettie Cowman.

Note: Mrs. Cowman was the compiler of one of the most enduring daily devotionals, Streams in the Desert.

FEAR OF THE LORD

Imagine if a congregation gathered to minister unto the Lord rather than to "get" from Him. Teaching and fellowship would take a back seat to waiting upon the Father's initiative. Songs of adoration and thanksgiving rather than performances.

Extended periods of silence and expectation in corporate prayer. More straight reading from the sacred text and less teaching from it.

Perhaps initially it would lack the flow and momentum of our eighty minute program packages. But I suspect that with a focus upon the Lord's arrival, the "holy hush" would lead to messages, praise, prophecy and manifestation around the room. There would be a quickening adjustment from the traditional lecturn-audience format.

The ministry team would have to be prepared to step back and allow something more participatory to occur. The atmosphere would be one of excitement moderated by courtesy and a respectful weighing of input. Services would contain surprises, comforts, reminders, admonitions and encouragements through the Spirit. Pastor would take on the role of conductor in the concert rather than soloist.

The command is for us to assemble and bow down and worship. It is not to attend sessions on self-improvement or the exploration of virtues. As we focus on the glorious account of what Jesus has done and what He is like, we find ourselves being changed into His likeness. We crave His "bread".

We appropriate Him and find that progressively He lives through us. The outflow will be in love, service and reproduction.

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I encourage readers of this post to take some private time with concordance and topical Bible in hand to examine "fear of the Lord" and such passages as Isaiah 58, Psalm 36, Psalm 63, Acts 4 and Acts 10.

AT HIS FEET

I cannot beat the trails, Or trim the wind-taut sails, Or pitch a camp beside the dusty road.

I cannot tame the crowd, Or reprimand the proud, Or offer strength to bear your heavy load.

I have a woman’s heart, And play a woman’s part, Attending to the tasks of house and fare.

I hunger for some way, Some gesture just to say, I love you Jesus, and I truly care.

You’ve shown us so much life And spared us all your strife, Retreating from our home to pour your heart Out in the hills of prayer, 11

To meet your Father there, To gain His strength before you must depart.

I grieved your love before, When you had planned much more Than simply curing Lazarus’ ill health.

I wept that you came late, That you would hesitate, But you were bringing resurrection wealth!

And here we are again At table with you, friend, And I can sense the heaviness of sin Weighs doubly on you now, As you reflect on how The final ministry will soon begin.

The ointment in my hand, A rare and precious brand, Seems all I have right now of worth to share.

And so I wash your feet With fragrance rich and sweet, And wipe them clean and dry with my long hair.

I know this is not waste, Though Judas jeers with haste: “The money could have gone to feed the poor!”

But you have read my heart, My urge to play some part In love’s anointing ere you reach death’s door.

Again I’m at your side, While others harp and chide: “There’s much work to be done, no time to rest.”

But here your eyes meet mine In fellowship divine, Assuring that in this I share your best!

MARK 14: 8, 9 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say 12

unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

HIDDEN TREASURE

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm. It speaks repeatedly of the wisdom, guidance, comfort, correction, challenge and assurance which David receives from the Word of God. He looks to scripture and the God of scripture as his main teacher, trainer, moralist, therapist, encourager, protector and reward. Seemingly every verse heaps praise and thanksgiving upon God’s ‘laws, statutes, commandments, ordinances, testimonies, ways, precepts, etc’. Every verse except three.

I would suggest that in these verses one finds hidden the message not of law but of grace: Verse 90: Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth and it abideth.

Verse 122: Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

Verse 132: Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

What is being said here? God is eternally faithful. I am trusting in the Almighty Creator and not in myself to reach the finish line. He will guarantee or stand as surety for the supply of all righteousness in my life. I will be forever deficient. He will be forever sufficient. Neither oppression nor condemnation will be able to do me irreparable damage. Such a God compels me through love into obedient service. He is always fondly aware of my state and He constantly extends to me His mercy. This is the heritage of the faithful, of those who seek His face and love to consider His nature/name.

Did David realize that he was foreshadowing all of this some hundreds of years before the Gospel? The Holy Spirit did. (1 Peter 1: 10-12)

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OF ANDREW’S SPIRIT

We have found Him And know that He is truth Distilled and pure.

A Certain Spring, 'Though damp and slush Delay the budding.

A Prince with yarns Of fields and flowers And feathered trust.

Unspoiled by gold Or other trappings Of convention.

Unmoved by rank Or rule of present powers.

But moved by Smallest cry of Pain or shame Or lonely lot.

A Man whose every Waking step displays Assurance, equity, Mercy, patience, hope Direct from Heaven.

Whose gaze commands.

The Promised One. Re-charging nightly On hills of prayer, (With His Father, So He says.)

As we have slept.

Brother, drop your net.

Come meet this One. Come meet your future.

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OF WHOM SHALL I BE AFRAID? Psalm 27: 1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

I can still hear the powerful tenor voice of Larnelle Harris pounding out this lyric, and repeating "the Lord is the strength of my life".

Dear believer, have you the witness of his all-capable fathering of you? Do you see it in the scriptures? Do you sense it in the hidden man of the heart? Does He come with calm in the midst of a storm? Does He leave you laughing at your strategies when you neglected Him? Does He bring to your recollection the many rescues and guiding impressions. Does a strange word of comfort or assurance startle you in the night?

Toward the end of the Psalm the writer states, "13. I had fainted unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living". I will repeat it... "in the land of the living".

Goodness of this Lord?

Did he not shepherd the massive Exodus from Egypt with Moses?

Did He not engulf the armies of Pharaoh in the sea?

Did he not enter into David's stone launched at Goliath?

Did He not cool the flames of the furnace meant to kill the three Hebrew youths?

Did He not sculpt that twisting cordillera that you flew over on your holiday?

Did he not whip up the angry storm on the open bay and then, just as easily, bring it to a calm?

Does He not delight the oriental farmer with the patter of rain for his only crop?

Does He not know the time of calving of that Holstein in the Oxford County field?

Does he not observe the hungry young ravens which cry from the cedars?

Does he not soothe the jagged nerves of staff in the Emergency Ward?

Does He not paint the soothing glory of the evening sky?

And this Father and his goodness are yours, and yours for good. Of whom then, shall you be afraid?

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IN TORMENTS

I have been fascinated with the story of Brownlow North (1810-1875) and his evangelistic efforts in England and Ireland. I enjoyed reading the book "The Rich Man and Lazarus" (Banner of Truth Trust).

Some very emphatic points were made about the plight of the rich man in Jesus' story in Luke 16: 22"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

25"But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'

27"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'

29"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'

Note the rich man arrived in hell, not because of riches but because of unbelief. There is a hell.

The rich man pleaded for mercy. One will either importune Jesus during this life and to his eternal joy. Or in the next life when the divinity of Jesus becomes most apparent, but the petitioner has run out of time.

He claimed that he thirsted. All men will hunger and thirst for righteousness...now or later.

The rich man prayed amiss to Father Abraham. There will be no profit in praying to anyone but Father God in the name of Jesus. Not to saints. Not to the memory of a sainted grandmother or diligent pastor/priest. Not to little Mary of Nazareth.

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The rich man was straightened over the thought of five brothers coming to join him.

Was it for their sakes? Or did he anticipate that the thought of his fruitless influence might constitute his greatest torment. This should register as one area of great responsibility in elder siblings, parents, employers, pastors and teachers...that of spiritual influence and encouragement.

He prayed that some miraculous occurrence might help his brothers. Perhaps one sent back from the dead with a message of warning. But miracles will not bear fruit meet for repentance unless the heart has been honestly exercised by the conviction and promise of Holy Scripture. Supernatural manifestations are NOT all from God. In the pages of my Bible I took note of one very impressive admonition from North: "Men have been known to gain the whole world by their wisdom and natural powers, but no man ever yet followed the guidance of his own wisdom, from his birth to his grave, who did not dishonour God and lose his own soul. It was for this reason - because no man could by wisdom find out God - that God gave us his word, the Bible; and whether we believe that word or our own reason, is the point on which hangs our salvation."

THE RICH MAN’S DEATH

I could have blessed the beggar Found daily near my door And never missed the outlay With always plenty more.

And brought him to my wardrobe And dressed him in last year’s.

And filled his aching belly And washed away his tears.

But fashion held me captive And closed the hand of grace For fear of colleagues’ censure For need to know my place.

A privilege come from family, 17

And shored up for one’s heirs, Not soon to heed a pauper Not soon to bless his prayers.

Just yesterday they told me He sighed his final breath.

But still I hear his calling Despite the unsung death.

“The good Lord, this. The good Lord, that.”

Would season every phrase.

Perchance he’s gone up laughing To meet Him face-to-face.

And I am left the poorer For lack of showing love.

Alas, not mine the blessing That he secures above.

Yes, his a peace unworldly Not seen in all the rest.

The pain now comes intensely.

“My lot, my loss, MY CHEST!”

THE CONVICTING ASPECT

In Luke chapter five we have the incident of Jesus instructing Peter to set out again in the morning after a night of futile fishing. A number of possible interpretations have been offered for Peter's response: 'Lord, we have been at this all night to no avail; nevertheless at thy word we will launch out.'

The extraordinary yield of fish which followed caused Peter to say "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man." Here is the rabbi, obviously inexperienced in the ways of fishing, showing some supernatural knowledge or authority concerning the fish.

Perhaps Peter had responded in sarcasm or in doubt as to Jesus' prospects of success.

The Lord's calm, sincere and hopeful demeanour had a convicting effect. It is likely that anyone who got within range of the Master's words or extraordinary deeds would 18

respond in like fashion.

In am reminded of one of the Psalms which states, "But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." (Psalm 130: 4) Later in the same chapter of Luke Jesus has healed and forgiven the palsied man lowered through the roof, has incurred the wrath of the scribes and Pharisees for absolving sin, and has gone to dine at the house of Matthew, straight from the publican's bench. His comment is very revealing as to his mission: Luke 5: 31And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

32I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

These days I hear a lot of talk about mimimizing doctrine and right orthodoxy and maximizing the winsome nature of the Man of Galilee. (See the appended You Tube video with Jan Sjoerd Pasterkamp. His point is that the quest for truth should never surpass the quest for unity. But what about the quest for intimate knowledge of the real Jesus and the real love which only He imparts?)

Man hopes to behold the totally righteous One and yearns for an opportunity to unload his sin. Time and again it is shown that Messiah attracts, wounds by the evident contrast of His nature and then ministers healing and a fresh start. In one place in Acts the Gospel is described as "repentance unto life" (chapter 11:18).

SYCAMORE

Still standing.

Beside the main street.

Feeling the pulse Of spring rains, The crown of summer, The testing pull 19

Of autumn storms.

Children explore My limbs and shelter.

Adventurers pass, Out to new possibilities.

Some, retracing steps In homeward reunion Or retreat.

Presently a strange din; One stalwart man And His entourage.

Onlookers press in, Curious and hopeful.

What's this?

Someone scrambles up, Tugs my extremities, Scrapes my bark, Settles, Balancing to watch.

Much like the children.

(Generations of them.)

I serve their purpose.

I serve his purpose.

Giving the better view.

And the Master looks up, My Maker.

Issuing the call: "Zacchaeus, come down.

I will come to your house."

Note: Many a witness accepts rough treatment that others might get a better and redeeming view of Jesus.

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ZACCHAEUS

I have scrimped and saved, I have used the law, I am now the richest publican around.

I have pressed for tax, I know each excuse, I am quick to confiscate and to impound.

Strictly business, yes, Ranked among the best.

I am proud that I have risen to the top.

Men all know my name, They seek my advice, But I simply cannot make my conscience stop.

I have heard of one Who heals all the sick, And who speaks of Heaven’s blessings for the poor.

He has warned the rich Not to lust for gold, Just to lose to thief or death outside the door.

He has called all souls To eternal goals, 21

And to do good neighbour’s deeds to each in need.

He seeks character, This great judge of men, And I sense his righteous standards have me treed.

In his presence now, I’m a little man, Yet I sense he holds out hope I might amend: “Come down now, Zacchaeus, I must sup with you.”

He is one before whom no one can pretend Now I hear myself Speaking from the heart For the first time I recall in many years: “I will settle all; I will mend the hurts.”

I sense joy and great relief washed in my tears.

I am broken now By the truth of Him Who insists abundant life must start within you.

I’ll become His man, Restore all I can; Surely no work grieving Jesus should continue PSALM 34: 18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

AFFLICTED NO LONGER

There must be a freeing of the mind and heart from the shackles of hopelessness.

Hospitals are full of stories of remarkable reversals of illness simply because of the indomitable spirit of the patient. A pleasant word; a good confession; a smile; an ability always to laugh; an audacity even in the face of death.

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I know of many well-intentioned Christians who will give by memory every promise of healing contained in the Bible, and there are many. But perhaps the candidate for healing does not yet have an assurance of Jesus' loving disposition toward him.

The ever victorious progression of thought and faith must be as follows. Jesus is proved history. As all-capable Son of God He came from Heaven, taught Heaven and its ethic, returned to Heaven and dwells there presently, working on the development of His Church in partnership with the Father and Spirit. He loves me and has shown me as much in undeniable ways. I thrill to read the account of His earth walk, selfless death and resurrection in the Gospels. I honestly regard Him as my best friend, and place my life and expectations in His hands. I trust Him more than I trust my own wants or understanding. He will bring about the best of all possible good either in me or through me. He has never done less with anyone who has reached out to Him. This sort of abandon brings people to an experience of salvation. It comes as a consequence of the gift of repentance. It comes as the Lord draws the believer to Him. It is not manufactured by persuasion or resolve. The same applies to healing. A well-intentioned Christian worker might place the raw materials of truth, warning and promise before a candidate; offer to pray; continue to lift that individual up in the following weeks.

But God will be the One who closes the deal. The victorious recipient, the honest-togoodness child of faith is the one who can say, as with Job, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him".

For such a one there remain no dark corridors to be traveled. The victory has come from within. The happy old Gospel song asserts, "The world didn't give it to me, and the world can't take it away".

EXIT WITH CONSCIENCE CLEAR

The Son followed two guards up the steps, as the crowd jostled with renewed excitement. His right foot gave him some difficulty. Thanks to nine hours in the "boot". The day was sunny, and his cell-darkened eyes winced in the glare. The sea of faces before and beneath him showed a variety of expressions. Some there to gape with a strange sense of superiority at the coming spectacle of death. Some, from the despised conventicle, who lowered their heads 'neath caps and shawls, but made the 23

appearance for show of respect.

The noose was affixed. The Sergeant inquired as to any intended last words from this hillside preacher; also combatant in the struggle against His Majesty's prescribed Church.

"Yes I most gladly speak in loving thanks and confidence toward all-worthy Christ my Saviour. He sees my short inconvenience. He finishes my dwelling near His side. All my springs are in Him. He has heard my heart's prayers for the budding once again of true religion in Scotland; of unharassed assembly; of pleasant discourse between loving shepherd and flock. He will not stay His hand too long. Dragoons' curses and muskets will soon be silenced. "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day..."

The Sergeant motioned to the drummers to commence, so as to drown out the speaker and to heighten the sense of spectacle and deterrent. The noose cinched down. The hood. The final reading of the psalm. The yank of the lever. The rag doll dropped and stopped. The collective gasp.

But also the anguished cry of one senior voice. The Father broke ranks and bolted to the scaffold base. Nearly blinded by tears. With one leap he embraced the midriff of his struggling Son and held, whispering, "Go now, my blessed boy, my champion. Go to Jesus."

The added weight hurried things along.

SOLEMN SPIRES OF ROCK

With blood and breath They sealed the Oath, Though parchment bore the gist Of Covenant with Christ their King, Whose court was moor and mist.

The shields of power Had spewed a law: 24

That every soul must heed The pulpits of the puppet-priests, By worldly throne decreed.

But hearts enthralled

By Spirit’s touch, And cleansed with Christ’s own blood, Must have the shepherd-hearted prince To preach to them God’s Word.

Now banned from kirks And presbyteries, The faithful shepherds fled; To holy haunts on heathered hills, To preach life from the dead.

And whispers thrilled The villages, And sought the lonely farms; As secret calls to worship meant A secret call to arms.

Though empty sat The kirks of stone, And empty sat their pews; The glens and rills were filled with psalms ‘Neath grand celestial views.

And times would come Of sacrament, 25

Of searchings-out of sin; And fateful times when king’s dragoons Would scatter to the wind.

And legends grew Of gallant men Evading musket-fire; And matrons bold who harboured them, To raise some villain’s ire.

And prophets saved By providence From Bloody Clavers’ men, Would vanish into cave or fog, Or stream, to preach again.

And gallows bore The testament, And prison glooms the tale; And children saw the cost of truth In those who walked death’s vale.

But still they sought The sacred heights, Where Grace did much abound; Where bleat of lamb and lilt of bird Were mixed with Gospel sound.

Still constant proved The shepherd-heart; And constant proved the flock; And faithful proved the King of Kings, ‘Midst solemn spires of rock.

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MY GOD, MY GOD

The cry comes from the darkness of an execution. The accused has called himself a King. He has said that he is truth incarnate. He has said that he could easily summon a host of angels to the scene if that would further his peculiar plan. But instead he hangs there listening to the groans of his two colleagues and the jeers of a mob out of control.

His mother is front and centre, trying to restrain the tears and deliver a gaze of courage and compassion to the jewel of her heart. His dear friend wraps arms of protection around her, shielding her from the jostling and the raised arms.

The friend thinks to himself, "Master why cry, My God, my God why hast thou forsaken me? Better to cry, Peace be still. Or give the people to eat. Or take up your bed and walk. Or come out of him you foul spirit. Or fools, hypocrites you make a mockery of religion. Or come unto me and I will give you rest. Or look for me from the clouds of heaven with the angels."

(Note: But "My God, my God!" That is the cry of vulnerability and trapped desperation, of human doubt and wincing pain, of bewilderment in a man beside himself with anguish. Yes, a man who had come this low from the majestic corridors of heaven. Now each breath gets harder and harder. The shoulders and the extremities scream. See Philippians 2: 5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

9-11Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and 27

call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

- The Message by Eugene Peterson……He "gets" our pain.)

WOMAN, BEHOLD THY SON

My Jesus tortured! Why? Oh that a sword should pierce my heart And rip it from my breast!

My son brought here to die!

A Roman gibbet follows hard The trial and false arrest.

So few would mourn and cry, That mercy, boundless reaching love Should meet such boundless hate.

Will no one answer why My gentle Jesus’ coming here Deserves a robber’s fate?

Forgiveness is his plea For every mortal gathered now To mock him at his end.

Suspended on this tree, With only one repentant thief, Apparently his friend.

Could I but rescue thee!

Sweet infant, searching, sturdy child Who took a joiner’s trade.

Am I here forced to see The final handiwork that you So selflessly have made?

It’s Mother! In this crowd!

But do your eyes discern the one Who comes to share your grief?

And John, beloved, allowed Henceforth to render me instead 28

A loving son’s relief.

Cruel barbs come from the proud, Who jeer at one who ever dared To call himself a king.

“How low this king is bowed!

Or does he yet expect his God To show, escape to bring?”

Noon sky turns black as night!

And does the God who blessed my womb Now curse the Light of day?

Oh, deep and dreadful sight, That dearest Father now forsakes The Son, though hard he pray!

Come now, Celestial Might, And help the One who spread your name Through this poor hurting land.

Show Him both just and right.

Descend somehow! Deliver this, Our Child, with outstretched hand!

WEDDED TO YOU

I was having real difficulty getting to sleep. Mind racing. Numerous topics of anxiety.

Money. Job stress. Health issues in the family. Future and career for the children. It seemed as if I had to go over all of them before I would allow myself to sleep. Finally at about 3 A.M. I conked out.

I am usually a solid sleeper with few dreams. It was unusual therefore that I would be pulled out of sleep at about 5:15 A.M. In my spirit I heard the words,"I am wedded to you". I awoke. Not at all groggy, and began to contemplate what I had just heard. I felt remarkably refreshed.

Often I have joked with male friends about trying to get my head and heart around the concept of being part of the "Bride" of Christ. Women have little trouble warming 29

up to the image of the perfect husband. Men often opt out with the concept of a team coach or military Captain who is with them in the fray. But no,we are Bride material!

Looking at my own wife, I know that I know we are knit as one. She could do nothing which would turn my affections away seriously. She is my closest experience of unconditional love. I will always put things in the best possible light concerning her. "Love thinketh no evil."

Recently some reading from the book of Job impressed me with the standing of man and wife before God. In the dialogue between God and Satan the enemy had been allowed to attack everything of Job's (children, servants, flocks, herds, beasts of burden, crops) but not his life. His wife lived because apparently God did see the two of them as an inseparable unit!

Now let us take this privileged position of spouse and apply it to the Bride of Christ.

Joint heirs. Inseparable. Mutually submissive. Growing unity of thought and purpose.

Yeah, I certainly want to be in on that!

And now perhaps I can read the comments of the old Scottish divines a little more comfortably. They were always seeing themselves in the context of the Beloved in the Song of Solomon or as Ruth in that delightful tale of marriage. Imagine hardy Scottish Covenanters heading to the wilds and resisting the King's dragoons to the death for the sake of truth and presbytery. Brides, or rather part of the Bride!

Grace now seems a little clearer. Many teachers have often told me that there is no effort on my part which would make God love me more: neither is there any error or stumbling which would make Him love me less. He is ravished by his Bride.

I leave you with the beautiful thought expressed by Naomi to Ruth in chapter three of that book: 18 Naomi said, "Sit back and relax, my dear daughter, until we find out how things turn out; that man isn't going to fool around. Mark my words, he's going to get everything wrapped up today." (The Message)

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A SON TO HIS FATHER

Yes, Father.

I have sought your face.

I have heard your voice.

I have found your will.

I have delighted in following.

As a youngster at home.

In the carpenter's shop.

As the Romans came to town and went.

At the Jordan with John.

Stretched in the wilderness.

In the teeming curious crowds.

Alone, and seeking in night hours.

With the sick.

With the cynical.

When challenged as to my service.

When challenged as to the Kingdom.

When disappointed by friends.

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When weary of their ambition.

In Gethsemane.

Troubled and sore amazed.

Telling the Governor the truth.

Enduring the pain, As one wretched thief Acknowledged our plan, And you seemed removed.

But the plan was sovereign.

I sit again at your side.

We have glorious fellowship.

We hear from the family.

We delight to bless.

And oh, dear Father, They are coming.

Your sons, daughters to the feast.

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