An aged rabbi—Jochanan Ben Zachai — was sick and at the point of death. When he saw his disciples standing round about him he began to weep. Surprised at this they said, “Rabbi, the light of Israel, the right hand pillar, the strong hammer, wherefore dost thou weep?”
He answered, “If they were carrying me before a king of flesh and blood, who is here today, and tomorrow in the grave, who, if he were angry with me, his anger would not last forever; if he put me in prison, his prison would not be everlasting; if he condemned me to death, that death would not be eternal; whom I could soothe with words, or bribe with riches; yet even in such circumstances I should weep. But now I am going before the King of kings, the holy and sin-hating God, who, if He be angry with me, His anger will last forever; if He put me in prison, His bondage will be everlasting; if He condemn me to death, that death will be eternal; whom I cannot soothe with words, nor bribe with riches; when, further, there are before me two ways, the one to hell, and the other to paradise, and I know not into which they are carrying me, shall I not weep?”
How we may thank God for Christianity! For the believer the future is not doubt or darkness, but certainty and light.
There lies before him the Father’s house of blessedness, where with Christ and like Christ his eternity shall be enjoyed. And for that home the Father has already made him fit, as we read, “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” Col. 1:1212Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (Colossians 1:12). Thus life and incorruptibility have been brought to light by the glad tidings. 2 Tim. 1:1010But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (2 Timothy 1:10).
Is this your future, reader, or have you refused the glad tidings, and therefore have before you a certainty of judgment, although, as walking in darkness, you know not whither you go?
ML 08/27/1961