NOVEMBER 22ND, 1937

NOVEMBER 22ND, 1937

Beloved Brother, — The thought of the Father being brought in in relation to the covenant of the Lord’s supper ... . While I do not doubt that the Lord spoke to the Father in giving thanks in the institution of the Supper, later in the teaching relative to it, it is called the Lord’s supper, not the Father’s, and hence the Lord should dominate in that part of assembly service.

^[p. 102] The statement which you quote, that it is ‘quite erroneous to think that the Lord would lead the saints to the Father, that it was not His intention to do so’ is certainly not in keeping with Scripture. As answered from the horns of the buffaloes (Psalm 22), He declares the Father’s name and praises Him in the midst of the assembly. To do all this was evidently uppermost in His mind. Moreover, He says, the Father seeks true worshippers, and surely He would normally have before Him to gratify this work. It was, no doubt, part of the “joy that was set before Him”.

To say, as you quote, ‘that it is quite a mistake to expect the Lord to lead us off covenant ground every time, providing we were up to it’ that is, as I read, that He would not always, as opportunity offered, lead on to the full service of God. This, I am sure, is unscriptural ... and reflects on the ministry of Christ in the sanctuary. Hebrews 8 to 10: 22 shows that the covenant is to set us free to draw near to God. Why should this thought of drawing near — the urgency of it — be weakened in the minds of the saints? What can be meant in the movement to the Mount of Olives after the Supper and the hymn, save that normally there is something beyond ‘covenant ground’ in assembly service?

The seven manifestations of the Lord to His own were mainly to establish faith in them in Himself as risen in view of their testimony, their state required this.

John gives us what relates to the Father; heavenly relationships in view of Paul’s ministry. The twelve do not enlarge on service Godward. Besides John, Matthew and Luke quote the Lord as referring to the Father in His manifestations.

Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.