"In The Things Of My Father" (2)

by J. Millar | Category: Voices From The Past - Extracted From Jottings | Mar 1981

In exhorting Timothy, Paul said, "Be diligent in these things (public reading, exhortation and teaching); give thyself wholly to them (or "be in them"); that thy progress may be manifest unto all" (1 Tim. 4:15). The Pauline exhortation, "Be in them" is related to the declaration of the Master, "I must be". God's things should not be regarded as matters of patronage or pastime, but the true employment of one's being.

As the Lord advanced in agreement with - "I must be in the things of My Father", in time this found expression in the outflow of His service manward - "I must preach" (Luke 4:43). As His acting was in perfect alignment with His teaching, Jesus began both to do and teach (Acts 1:1), so His living was in complete agreement with His preaching.

In due time came the effect of men's bitterly antagonistic attitude to His holy life and teaching - "The Son of Man must suffer" (Luke 9:22). With Him there was no lowering of the flag, even though His preaching brought Him under the ban of the worldly-minded men of His time. His doctrine was divine. There was no accommodating of His teaching to the weakness of human depravity, no compromising and reducing the heavenly message to the standard of those who minded earthly things. The clash came. The confederated forces of sectarianism - of Sadducee, Pharisee and Herodian - hurled their weight against Him, but He turned them back with an ease that astonished His questioners. But though they were defeated, they were not converted. They would return again to the attack, for He had said that He must suffer, and well He knew that their intent was to silence His preaching. His sufferings did not cause Him to deviate from the path of obedience to His Father' swill. Certain of the Pharisees evinced a care for His well-being, which was but mock sympathy, when they said to Him, "Get Thee out, and go hence: for Herod would fain kill Thee" (Luke 13:31). But the Lord was unperturbed by seeming danger; He was not swayed by superficial kindness. His reply was clear: "I must go on My way today and tomorrow and the day following" (Luke 13:33). "I must go on"; there was no turning back to shelter from the oncoming storm. In the gathering gloom He says, "I must go on". What incentive is here for us each! Have we had our trials and light afflictions? Have we not heard the satanic whisper suggesting that we turn back? Let us listen to Him, "I must go on", even though "The way is dark, the hill is steep,

And loud the thunder rolls and deep".

J. Millar | Mar 1981
Voices From The Past - Extracted From Jottings