Morning, September 10
Go To Evening Reading
“And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would:
and they came unto him.”
Mark 3:13
Here was sovereignty. Impatient spirits may fret and fume, because
they are not called to the highest places in the ministry; but reader
be it thine to rejoice that Jesus calleth whom he wills. If he shall
leave me to be a doorkeeper in his house, I will cheerfully bless
him for his grace in permitting me to do anything in his service.
The call of Christ’s servants comes from above. Jesus stands on the mountain, evermore
above the world in holiness, earnestness, love and power. Those whom
he calls must go up the mountain to him, they must seek to rise to
his level by living in constant communion with him. They may not be
able to mount to classic honours, or attain scholastic eminence, but
they must like Moses go up into the mount of God and have familiar
intercourse with the unseen God, or they will never be fitted to proclaim
the gospel of peace. Jesus went apart to hold high fellowship with
the Father, and we must enter into the same divine companionship if
we would bless our fellowmen. No wonder that the apostles were clothed
with power when they came down fresh from the mountain where Jesus
was. This morning we must endeavour to ascend the mount of communion,
that there we may be ordained to the lifework for which we are set
apart. Let us not see the face of man today till we have seen Jesus.
Time spent with him is laid out at blessed interest. We too shall
cast out devils and work wonders if we go down into the world girded
with that divine energy which Christ alone can give. It is of no use
going to the Lord’s battle till we are armed with heavenly weapons. We must see Jesus, this is essential. At the mercy-seat we will linger till
he shall manifest himself unto us as he doth not unto the world, and
until we can truthfully say, “We were with him in the Holy Mount.”