MEETING FOR MINISTRY
(i) P.W.Hickmott
We were looking at this passage some weeks back, and as thinking of it since, one thing that stood out to me is the timing of what this woman did. There is the value and preciousness of what she did to Christ, but the striking thing to me seems to be the timing of it. In a sense the feature of its value, as the Lord draws attention to it, is that she understood what was taking place, and she was close, could we say, to the divine mind, and came forward with what she had at exactly the right moment relating to what was immediately, ahead of our blessed Lord Jesus. I wonder, if in that sense, it does not have a bearing on us. There was a word some months ago as to the persons who had understanding of the times, they knew what Israel ought to do. I just raise it as an enquiry as to how much we understand the time in which we are and what is suitable to it in relation especially to Christ's affections.
Think of the dispensation; little we may know of its history. Certain things came in at certain times, but if we think of the revival, as we speak of it, when the precious light was recovered, of the Head in heaven and the body here, what is the essential matter, if we could say that, of the revival that we may see it in proportion in what has happened? I think we could say that, even in the revival there has been a time for certain things. Some of us do not know much about it. Certain matters entered into the service of Mr Darby, conflict to set teaching in order that had its bearing, I suppose, on the whole of Christendom. Then there was a time for something else: think of the service of a man like Mr Stoney; and in the service of Mr Raven certain things entered into his time in the development of the teaching, the accuracy of what came in. Things were set in order and they are on record for us in the skill, can we say, of divine teaching. Some of us are finding out that our constitution is defective unless there is a structure built there soundly of the teaching at that time. Then there has been another time, if we could suggest it; think of the development, the filling out as it were, of what relates to the working of the assembly and the working of a local assembly, and what is set out in relation to response to God, what flows out of the Lord's supper; there has been a time in which that has come out. Then other things have happened, have they not? We need perhaps to review what has happened in our time.
So we come to the present moment, and that is one's exercise, at least for myself, and I would commend it to the brethren to ponder - what is suited to the present time in relation to the response to Christ's heart? It says of this woman; "She has beforehand anointed my body for the burial". In this case the death and burial of the Lord Jesus was immediately at hand, and she perceived the moment to do what she did. Well, I think we are aware that the time of the rapture is immediately at hand. The conditions are sorrowful publicly wherever you look, but the longing would surely be in true hearts that we could perceive that there is something furnished that would correspond to this woman in what she was able to minister to Christ's heart at that particular point.
So it is a very attractive thing, a very blessed thing, that the Lord could be ministered to, we can say, femininely. Can we each in our little settings be stimulated in this and. thoughtful about it, so that there is something working out femininely that the Lord can draw attention to? Would it not be wonderful if in a day to come the Lord could say, Well, there it was, it was exactly what met My heart relating to the specific time in which certain things were being worked out. I just suggest it; I think it is attractive, and might I suggest it is also needed. We can go on so much that we know and understand and even value, but may we function and think sensitively so that what is exactly fitting to the present time is ministered to Christ, and also to be under His hand towards God. Amen.