THE UPWARD PATH
A. P. Grant
Proverbs 15: 24; Luke 24: 32–36; John 1: 35–39
I was thinking of this verse in Proverbs, “The path of life is upwards for the wise”. It would speak of how the Lord would lead His own out of this world to another realm. The hymn we sang touched on it,
‘Our path is on with earnest haste,
Lord, in Thy rest to live’. (Hymn 47)
leading towards what is heavenly, towards the Father’s rest, and our part with Christ. I thought that would be encouraging for us. Mr. Darby knew something of it. In another of his hymns he says,
‘That way is upward still,
Where life and glory are’. (Hymn 12)
We know that upward movement requires exercise. If left to ourselves and our own power we would go downwards as the man in Luke 10 went down to Jericho. But, in the Spirit we have power to move upwards toward another world, another realm, away from this scene.
We were reminded on Saturday of the disciples going up the mountain with the Lord and they saw His glory. What a favour, but the upward movement requires exercise. It is encouraging for us to have a taste of that realm. I was thinking, too, of a number of psalms, the Songs of degrees, where there is upward movement, where the tribes were going up towards the city of Jerusalem. These psalms start with calling on Jehovah for help in trouble. Psalm 120, but they go on to speak of the place where eternal life is enjoyed among the saints. This upward pathway is leading towards the blessing of Jehovah and to what is for God’s pleasure. There is no exercise required for the downward path, but the Spirit would give us power to be maintained on the path that is upwards.
I thought the other scriptures read filled the thought out. In Luke 24 the two going to Emmaus were discouraged and going in the wrong direction, but, through the grace of the Lord they were brought back. They recognised Him, their eyes were opened; the Lord brought about the change with them and they returned the same hour to where the saints were. I think that this is involved in the upward movement, leading us to where the saints are enjoying and sharing .the presence of Christ. They found the eleven and those with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord is indeed risen and has appeared to Simon”. The two who were brought back shared what they had. No doubt they would have great treasure, the Lord not only opening the Scriptures to them, but being recovered through divine grace to the company of the saints. Luke particularly emphasises what divine grace has wrought. The Lord appeared to Simon, a particular touch of grace to one who had failed. The Lord would give him assurance and certainty as to His resurrection. I think we know the certainty of divine things among the saints as these living impressions of the Lord are shared. “And as they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst”. What a great thing it is to have a sense of His presence in our gatherings; that is what makes any occasion worthwhile. He says to them, “Peace be unto you”. He brings something of Himself for the assurance of their hearts.
I thought in John 1 we have another upward movement, what the two disciples were led on to know, where He abode. Nothing could be more elevating for us than to enjoy something of where He abides. They were exercised persons, they were John’s disciples and heard him saying, “Behold the Lamb of God”. This word was from John’s heart, from his appreciation of Christ. The two disciples were attracted, and I think that is the point in this section, these persons were attracted to Christ. It is different from the other gospels where the disciples were commanded to follow Him. Here they are attracted and the Lord takes account of them.
He takes account of any interest towards Himself. They were led on to where He abode; they had found Him and the Lord leads them to His own realm, where everything would be according to His thoughts. They abode with Him that day.
Nothing could be more elevating for us than to have a touch of this in our spirits; the Holy Spirit would give us to know this and not to be over-occupied with things here. He would lead us upwards, away from this scene. So John’s gospel has in mind that believers are led out of this world, into the Father’s world where Christ is the centre. May we be encouraged and know the power and joy of the Father’s realm where Christ is at home, for His name’s sake.
Word in meeting for ministry
Dundee, 25 May 2004