Morning, March 21
Go To Evening Reading
“Ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone.”
John 16:32
Few had fellowship with the sorrows of Gethsemane. The majority of
the disciples were not sufficiently advanced in grace to be admitted
to behold the mysteries of “the agony.” Occupied with the passover feast at their own houses, they represent
the many who live upon the letter, but are mere babes as to the spirit
of the gospel. To twelve, nay, to eleven only was the privilege given
to enter Gethsemane and see “this great sight.” Out of the eleven, eight were left at a distance; they had fellowship,
but not of that intimate sort to which men greatly beloved are admitted.
Only three highly favoured ones could approach the veil of our Lord’s mysterious sorrow: within that veil even these must not intrude;
a stone's-cast distance must be left between. He must tread the wine-press
alone , and of the people there must be none with him. Peter and the two
sons of Zebedee, represent the few eminent, experienced saints, who
may be written down as “Fathers;” these having done business on great waters, can in some degree measure
the huge Atlantic waves of their Redeemer’s passion. To some selected spirits it is given, for the good of others,
and to strengthen them for future, special, and tremendous conflict,
to enter the inner circle and hear the pleadings of the suffering
High Priest; they have fellowship with him in his sufferings, and
are made conformable unto his death. Yet even these cannot penetrate
the secret places of the Saviour’s woe. “Thine unknown sufferings” is the remarkable expression of the Greek liturgy: there was an inner
chamber in our Master’s grief, shut out from human knowledge and fellowship. There Jesus
is “ left alone .” Here Jesus was more than ever an “Unspeakable gift!” Is not Watts right when he sings—
“And all the unknown joys he gives,
Were bought with agonies unknown.”