CHRIST AS TURNING POINT AND MODEL
CHRIST AS TURNING POINT AND MODEL
The point of interest in this chapter is that in it is presented the turning point in the Lord’s service in the flesh; and I think what we ought to discover in it is the abandonment of one system of things and the introduction of another. I have no doubt if you take up your own experience you will find what corresponds to this. There has been a gradual abandonment of that to which you stood related as in the flesh, and an introduction into another system of which Christ is the centre.
I should like to make clear the position taken by the Lord as seen in this chapter. Becoming Man He stood related to all that had existed in this world. There was Judaism and also the Roman empire. He recognised both. He came into a system of things with which man in the flesh was occupied. He was not disappointed with what He found, for He knew all about it beforehand, but He came into the system established here, and was thus a test to it. The Lord took up what He found in Israel, and if possible would have used it, but He could not make any use of it. Had He intended to act according to the principles of man in the flesh He could have used it. Judaism could be used on this line, but the Lord did not intend to work on this line, hence Judaism as a system was utterly useless to him; and for the same reason He could make no use of the empire. If He had had it in mind to exalt Himself as a man in the flesh the empire could have been used; it was calculated to be most effectual in that respect, but His thought was otherwise — it was to relieve men. What, therefore, could He do with all the legions of [p. 74] the empire? He could make no use of them whatever in the work He had undertaken; all combined, they could not deliver one man from the thraldom of Satan. The empire was a wild beast. This was what the Gentile powers resembled. The Roman empire served to enthral man, and so the Lord could not use it; but then He could not be used in it. He was a meek and lowly Man and Rome was not built up by such. He could not fit in anywhere. He could not take command of an army, or become governor of a province, and I do not think He could even have been a successful merchant. Further, He could not fit in at Jerusalem. He could not fill any place in connection with the system established there. In a word, He could make no use of the world, and the world could make no use of Him. Nothing seemed to have been effected by His mission, and, judging by external appearances, He might as well have returned to that place whence He had come. Even John is in doubt: his message to the Lord implied fear that all was a failure. Such is the outward aspect of affairs in this chapter. As to John, if we have difficulties about him here we must remember that he was not a Christian. You must take into account who John was: he did not live in the age of sonship and the presence of the Holy Ghost; he belonged to the old order of things, which was now disappearing. The difference between his position and that of Paul and Silas at Philippi is very great. John did not have any song to sing in prison: redemption was not yet accomplished.
I want you to see the magnitude of the Lord’s position as seen at the end of this chapter. He calls attention to Himself. What I think we all require is to have our hearts directed to the Lord. People are much interested in things here; you can find an account of them in the newspapers; but you will find nothing there of what the Lord Jesus Christ is doing at the present time. Here He calls attention [p. 75] to Himself in the presence of apparent defeat. He could not use the empire, so the Lord proposes to set up a kingdom of His own; He would have a kingdom greater than Rome. In Matthew 13 we get the kingdom. It is an eternal kingdom; defiling things are removed, but it goes on (see verses 41 - 43).
You have heard about great men. Here is one. As far as the eye can see He is a solitary man without supporters or means, and rejected everywhere, yet He has ability to establish a kingdom, as we have seen, greater than the Roman empire; and not only a kingdom, but also a city; for the assembly in chapter 16 may be said to answer to a city. The Lord’s position here is magnificent. Chapter 12 enlarges upon it; His greatness is there set forth.
He says, “Come unto me”. He had no place, could fit in nowhere, but He can give you rest. He can also protect you. Everywhere the eye can turn enemies abound. Nobody can lie down in safety in a district infested with robbers; but the Lord insures protection. He has brought in the kingdom for this. And then, as we have seen, He has also a city. He had nothing to do with Chorazin or Capernaum. He could find no post of honour in either, but He will have, as it were, a city of His own. You will find perfect order there. In it also you will find every comfort, for His home is there. What I wish to impress upon you is that the Lord has brought these wonderful things in for your good — for your deliverance, protection, comfort and satisfaction — and that His care for you is thus demonstrated; and in His ability to establish them His greatness is seen. And I would ask, What do you know about all this in a practical way? Perhaps you can say, “I have forgiveness of sins”, but have you begun to learn from Christ yet? The Lord says, “Learn from me”. What kind of a man was He? He was meek and [p. 76] lowly. If you learn from Him you imbibe His character. Suppose Caesar had invited you to learn from him, suppose you had made him your model, what would be the result? You would have become like a wild beast, trampling man under foot to satisfy greed and ambition. The Lord Jesus Christ is meek and lowly in heart, hence in learning from Him these things mark you. There is no use telling me you have come to Him if you are not meek and lowly in heart. Many of us are theorists — we have not had to do with Christ personally. The thing to do is to endeavour to seize the position occupied by the Lord down here in the presence of the Father and learn from Him. In this way you become like Him, and find rest in your soul. He is not beyond our reach. It is quite possible to come into contact with Him. He makes people like Himself. To produce a company of people like Himself down here was what the Lord had before Him, “Come unto me”. This was written for believers, that they might know how to come into touch with Christ, and become like Him. The meek and lowly man is great.
What comes out after chapter 12 in this gospel is magnificent. He talks about great men, Jonah and Solomon, but a greater was there. What would He do? He would bring in a kingdom; He would also build His assembly, and the gates of hell should not prevail against it. He did not find anything, but He was going to produce something: He began to sow. All this refers to His power.
We ought to be completely independent of this world. What need you and I fear? If you take care to consider your history you will find that He has interfered in your behalf. He has set up a kingdom, a city and a house to live in, and all this in the interest of man. The King of England need not [p. 77] come to Canada to enforce his rights or protect his subjects: he has his forces here; so the Lord Jesus Christ has His forces here.
The world will be filled by what the Lord Jesus Christ can do, and it is wisdom on your part to place yourself entirely in His hands. May the Lord turn your hearts to find your all in Himself.