Ye Seek Jesus

by D. Smith, Lerwick | Category: General | Aug 1975

The Scriptures clearly show that angels are highly superior to men in strength and knowledge (Psa. 103:20). Yet never have they occupied the unique place assigned by God to man. Of man only did God say, "Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion" (Gen. 1:26). Although the fall of Adam and its tragic sequence have, for the time being, affected the divine arrangement of man's rule over created things, the purpose of God will yet see fulfilment and manifestation in the Church the Body of Christ. This has not been changed in any way.

In the present age God has given to men, not to angels, grace to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ that all men might see the dispensation of the mystery (Eph. 3:8,9). While angels do not participate in this preaching they do desire to look into the profound unfoldings of the purpose of God in redemption.

In every age the testimony of God is a subject of great importance to all who seek to conform to God's will. At the beginning of the present dispensation the testimony was entrusted to a people together in churches of God, which churches formed the house of God, "pillar and ground of the truth" (Eph. 2:20-22; 1 Tim. 3:15). Although less privileged than men, angels are highly competent for the work which God has delegated to them, for "are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?" (Heb. 1:14).

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulchre on the first day of the week bringing the spices they had prepared in order to anoint that precious body. The sacrifices of those faithful and devoted women may serve to impress upon us the seriousness of being empty-handed and unprepared when on the first day of the week we gather to worship God. Under the law all the males of Israel had to appear before the Lord at the place of His Name, three times in the year, "and none shall appear before Me empty" (Exod. 23:15). They were always to remember that they had been bondmen in Egypt but God in His mercy had redeemed them. Have we not also been redeemed, but at a much greater price from "bondage worse than theirs by far"?

As these godly women made their way to the burial-place they talked about the stone at the door of the sepulchre. They knew that by their own strength they never could remove it. Suddenly, however, on looking up (Mark 16:4) they discovered that it had already been removed by the angel who was now sitting on guard at this sacred spot. Often in life's pathway we meet great obstacles which we cannot remove by our own ability. But how different things appear when we lift up our eyes to heaven and see Him whose "right hand is glorious in power". It is sometimes difficult to appropriate the promise, "to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28). It was heart affection that led these women to the sepulchre on the resurrection morning. Their love was recognized by the angel in his greeting, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus" (Matt. 28:5).

The knowledge of the angel equalled his power and brought comfort to the hearts of those trembling souls. No more noble and blessed pursuit can ever engage us than to seek Jesus, to pursue with untiring zeal the things that concern Him, and the place where He is to be found. We may well enquire, Could the angel say of us, "I know that ye seek Jesus", or are we among those whom Paul describes in his letter to the Philippians, "They all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ"?

Their love for the Lord led those two women to the upper chamber in Jerusalem where, after His ascension, the apostles with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and His brethren all with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer. The pursuing soul finds great delight in approaching the throne of grace, and surely the coming day alone will reveal how very much has been accomplished throughout the ages by sincere and godly women who, with persevering patience, have continued steadfastly in prayer to God.

Altogether one hundred and twenty people awaited the descent of the Holy Spirit which took place on the day of Pentecost when another three thousand souls received the word of God through Peter's preaching, were baptized in water and added to the one hundred and twenty. Thus the church of God in Jerusalem came into being, as a local corporate testimony and expression of the kingdom of God where the "all authority" of the Lord Jesus was duly acknowledged by obedient disciples.

Thus in seeking after Jesus they had sought after the kingdom of God, which according to the teaching of the Master should be the first concern of all who love the Lord: "Seek ye first His kingdom, and His righteousness" (Matt. 6:33) and, "Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; and let such as love Thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified" (Psa. 70:4).

D. Smith, Lerwick | Aug 1975
General