“LIKE AS THE SHEPHERD RESCUETH …”
B. Taylor
At the present time there are some of those numbered amongst us who need to be rescued, if possible, who need to be surrounded. That would bring us all, collectively, into the matter. As gathered in the light of the assembly we should work that way, that persons might be helped as surrounded. The youth, who fell from the window, in Acts 20, was taken up for dead, but Paul surrounded him, as it were; and Paul himself was surrounded by the brethren when he was left for dead (see Acts 14: 20).
We are challenged at the present time as to what each of us is doing, individually, in being a shepherd, or a prophet, or a priest in relation to persons who need help; but there is also the question of what we may do collectively. We are all challenged by present conditions. We cannot point fingers at one another, we must take the word to ourselves.
The link in these two scriptures is the matter of hearing. We would look for a piece of an ear; even if there is only a piece of an ear, we might begin with that and finally get the person’s ear. The shepherd would try to get that. If the person will not listen to me, he might listen to others, and, as it says in Matthew 18, if he will not hear them, he may listen to the assembly.
It is a solemn thing not to listen to the assembly. We do not assume to be the assembly, but the principles of that scripture remain. Mr. Taylor made it clear that we hold to the standard of the truth, but we act in comeliness in recognising
the breakdown. When asked if it is right, when acting in discipline, to go by 1 Corinthians 5 or 2 Timothy 2, he said, “Both”.
We want to get the ears of persons; we want to get the “two legs”, which would suggest the walk. We want to take them out of the jaw of the lion. The enemy goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5: 8); he is active in that character. To rescue persons, we need the feelings of the shepherd. Think of the feelings of David, when he rescued the lamb out of the jaws of the lion and the bear. The bear—something that would crush or tear—rose up against him, but he seized him by the beard and smote him; he met the enemy head-on.
We should have deep feelings in relation to the inroads the enemy has made amongst us. The prophet speaks positively here, “... so shall the children of Israel be rescued”. What do we need to be rescued from? We may think lightly of what is happening, but are we being separate in our goings? Are we coming under influences which damage us? I well remember a word given on the passage, “If thou hast run with footmen, and they have wearied thee, how wilt thou then contend with horses? … how wilt thou then do in the swelling of the Jordan?”, Jeremiah 12: 5. You may get wearied running with footmen; you may get wearied coming to the meetings; you may get wearied of the brethren—these are ‘footmen’. Well, if they have wearied you, how are you going to do with horses—these governmental agencies that God has? We need to carry on in “patient continuance of good works”, Romans 2: 7. Then we will be kept when difficult matters arise and we will not fear “the swelling of the Jordan”.
Well, these responsibilities are not optional with any of us. It is a matter of saving one another, for we do not know how far the enemy may succeed in scattering the sheep and carrying off the lambs. Our Saviour God would have His people saved, and the shepherd would be with God in that. Amos would be with God, that persons should be saved who “sit in Samaria in the corner of a couch, and upon the damask of a bed”. It may be that some are finding ease and comfort in a place remote from the brethren. They may be in a position which seems right to themselves, but from which they need to be extricated.
We should be challenged as to whether there is something we can do to save such persons. If they do not hear us we would sense that, but the concern is that they may hear and we should not weary in our effort to get “a piece of an ear.” Even a meeting for discipline gives opportunity for persons to hear and be saved. How many have been saved by hearing! We all know something about this, I am sure. So let us see how love would operate, making room for God to come in as we are, governed by the Scriptures. Let us realise that in these matters we have to do with God Himself, who has in mind the salvation of His people. May the Lord bless the word!
Word in meeting for ministry, Brooklyn. N.Y.
9 October 1973