Until

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Category: Fingerpost | Dec 1972

In the Song of Songs we have this lovely stanza: Until the day be cool, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense" (4:6)

Our thoughts and meditations of Christ can be most sweet as we ascend in a spirit of reverence the mountain of myrrh, where He "bare our sins in His body upon the tree" (1 Pet. 2:24). We behold His torn brow and bleeding back, pierced hands and feet, and wounded side; and to our awe-struck soul there come afresh the words, so deeply personal and penetrating, "... My body ... given for you ... My blood ... for you" (Luke 22:19,20).

The One who loved us and gave Himself for us, longs for our remembrance of Him. What unspeakable joy it would be if the Lord descended from heaven and called us to Himself at a time when we were "breaking bread at His command" I Our hearts should be tuned to this possibility, as the keeping of the Remembrance is only "till He come", "Until the day be cool, and the shadows flee away". Paul says, "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till He come (1 Cor. 11:26). How vital and important is this proclamation, for it is to saint and to sinner. It declares to all "that Christ died for our sins ... and that He was buried and that He hath been raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:3,4).

There are many mountains mentioned in God's word, but to the Christian Calvary excels them all. This "mountain of myrrh" tells of His perfect sacrifice in death, while the "hill of frankincense" tells of His perfect life. What a contrast between the two I The one with its poignant vision of suffering grief and shame; the other with its precious view of that fragrant and holy life which men admired and with which God was so well pleased. There never has been or can be a life like His. Ponder the fourfold testimony to His holiness: His Father declared, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17), an unclean spirit said, "Thou art the Holy One of God" (Mark 1:24), Pilate said, "I ... find no fault in this Man" (Luke 23:14), and the Roman centurion affirmed, "Certainly this was a righteous Man" (Luke 23:47).

There is much to think about in this busy life, but a rich field of meditation has been left for us, as we quietly contemplate the fragrant, sinless life of the Son of God and the sweet savour of His meritorious death. May we as a people recover the art of musing upon Him despite all the demands made upon us, and the activity going on around us. A threefold experience of rich blessing awaits each one of us - to ascend the hill of frankincense, the mountain of myrrh, and the hill of the Lord (Psa. 24:3). May we do so in spirit and in truth, remembering that it may be very soon that the dawn of His coming shall break, and as the shadows flee away we shall see Him whom our souls love.

"The voice of My Beloved! behold He cometh" (Song of Songs 2:8).

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Dec 1972
Fingerpost