Hold Fast That Which Thou Hast [2]

by J. Miller | Category: Voices From The Past - Extracted From Jottings | Aug 1982

Though Matthias was not of the chosen twelve, yet he held fast and continued to company with the Lord and the apostles. It was the person of the Lord that was the attraction; and nowhere else was such doctrine taught and held but only among that blessed company, whose privilege it was to listen to the words of eternal life day by day.

Then came the sad and terrible day when Judas Iscariot left the company of the rest and went to the chief priests, and together they priced Him, the Lord and Master of all. The price was the price of a slave:

Thirty pieces of silver,

'Twas only the price of a slave:

Thirty pieces of silver

For the Lord of life they gave.

In the bargain Judas lost his soul, his place, his all. "He was numbered among us," said Peter, "and received his portion in this ministry," and from this it is said later that "Judas fell away". Now comes the opportunity of faithful Matthias, not originally chosen, but now definitely chosen to fill the vacant place, to be a witness to the resurrection of the One whom he had so faithfully followed in His lifetime.

Is there not something in all this of the nature of the Lord's words: "I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown"? (Rev. 3:11).

It may be, perchance, that someone much more eminently fitted of God for His service than you are would, had he continued, have worn a crown in that day, but, through carelessness, pride or avarice, he began to treat God's things with indifference; then the day of his fall came sad fall in the case of some - the crown was lost to him for ever, but it will be worn by someone. It may be worn by someone who could fill but a small place and who was content to fill a little space if Christ were glorified. There i~ something of value, more than words can describe, in continuing in the things which we have learned and been assured of, knowing of whom we have learned them, and of holding fast till He comes.

J. Miller | Aug 1982
Voices From The Past - Extracted From Jottings