The State Of The Nation

Mounting anxiety over Britain's internal affairs is reflected daily in gloomy headlines in the secular Press. The plight of the economy, the perils of inflation, the breakdown of law and order, reports of corruption in high places and other disturbing elements in the body politic, all point to impending crisis. At present there appears to be no sign of an upturn and we are given frequent warnings of worse to come. Some dismiss such talk as political propaganda in preparation for the impending General Election. One certain factor is that the nation is divided and the public bewildered.

Britain is not alone in her troubles. Similar problems face most of the other Western nations. The spectre of a world slump on the scale of the 1930's is haunting world statesmen.

We confine ourselves for the moment to Britain's crisis. That material prosperity is "the be all and end all" of human endeavour is one of the great delusions of the century. Of far, far greater importance is the moral and spiritual condition of the nation. If the present crisis serves to shift the emphasis then it will be a great blessing. We suggest once more that this should be the focus of our prayers for mankind in these perilous days.

To Whom shall we go?

In the synagogue at Capernaum the congregation was becoming restive. Some of those who attended that day had come to learn more from this remarkable Teacher who spoke with a perception and an authority which were lacking in their scribes. But on this occasion, as the Teacher pressed home His message, murmurs of dissent were heard; one and another registered their disapproval. He was now going too far. Great Teacher though He was He was making claims for Himself they could not possibly entertain. This would be the end of the road for them; they would withdraw their patronage, they would follow Him no more.

The incident referred to above is recorded in John chapter 6. It underlines for us a basic principle of discipleship. Our Lord will not coax or coerce His followers, nor will He accept mere patronage. Those who would follow Him must do so gladly, unreservedly. They will accept His claims without question or argument.

The group in the synagogue at Capernaum who walked no more with Him were unprepared f6r committal of this sort. The demands were far too drastic. Their departure must have saddened the Lord; He alone could assess its consequences. He noted, too, its impact upon the twelve, and in His wisdom and love used the occasion to test their allegiance: "Would ye also go away?" He enquired. If any of them were contemplating such a course, this probing question faced them squarely with its consequences. "Go away"; chilling word I If they went from Him who would take his place in their lives? Had life any meaning or purpose apart from Him? These were the questions our Lord's enquiry provoked in the minds of His apostles. It was Peter who put their thoughts into words:

"Lord, to whom shall we go?

Thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).

"Would ye also go away?" Our Lord's question has solemn implications for all His disciples. Under the pressure of discouragement, misunderstanding, reproach or unbelief we may begin to waver in the path we have chosen. In such circumstances the thought of turning back creeps into the mind. It is then that the alternatives should be carefully weighed, and Peter's reply serves to bring us face to face with them, "Lord, to whom shall we go?" The form of that question is crucial. Peter grasped the dimension of the challenge the Master had put to the apostles. He did not say, "Where shall we go?" but "to whom shall we go?" The claims of the Lord which had been the stumbling-block to those who had just turned back were the very rock beneath Peter's feet. "Thou hast the words of eternal life", he said, "and we have believed and know that Thou art the Holy One of God" (John 6:68,69).

We live in times of blatant unbelief. To uphold the claims of Christ is to invite pity and reproach from the great majority. When the cost of discipleship seems to be increasing and the love of the many waxes cold, when we see others turning back and insinuating doubt begins to undermine our faith, then Peter's rejoinder with its penetrating logic is most relevant: "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life". We, too, have believed and know that He is the Holy One of God. How could we entertain the thought of turning away from Him?

Above the clamour and turmoil His voice still calls, "Follow thou Me".

"Master, speak, and make me ready, When Thy voice is truly heard,

With obedience glad and steady Still to follow every word".

unknown | Aug 1974
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