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persons available to Him at the present time. I say this, that

God requires workmen who love Jesus. Luke 7 brings out for

us most touchingly a lover of Jesus; one who had to do with

Jesus. The Lord said of that woman, “Her many sins are

forgiven; for she loved much”. Beloved, let us know what it is

to be lovers of Jesus. We love because He first loved us.

Think of what it involved for Jesus; think of those feet that took

Him to Calvary. It is no

wonder that Paul would say he did not judge it well to know

anything among them “save Jesus Christ, and him crucified”.

In Galatians Paul says, “the Son of God, who has loved me

and given himself for me” (Galatians 2: 20). In other words,

when that blessed Man was hanging there at Calvary He was

thinking of Paul; He was thinking of you and me. Does it not

draw out your heart and your affections toward Him, that we

might not only be lovers of Jesus, but that we might be here as

workers at the present time? The word is, “But let each see

how he builds”.

There are workers, of course, in the demolition industry, but

that is not what is in mind here; it is not a question of pulling

down, but it is a question of building, having part in that

wonderful structure that is going to abide for all eternity. Is that

not wonderful that God has in mind that you and I should be

available in this wonderful work that is going on at the present

time? Let us not elect ourselves out of it because time is

scarce; the work is great, and there is no question but that the

Lord’s coming is very near, and there is much to be done. Do

not let any of us say that we will sit back and let a few do the

work; every one is needed, and each is to be available,

seeking out the Lord Jesus, and strengthened in the power of

the Spirit. Then we shall know what it is to be available in our

localities where we are set in view of the work proceeding.

As I said, the time is short. Mark’s gospel would impress us

with the brevity of time, therefore let us with holy resolve

commit ourselves to the work. Mark writes his gospel from the