GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XXIssue5
/Published occasionally for mourners in Zion/
/Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;And
make straight pathsfor your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out
of the way; but let it rather be healed.Hebrews 12::12-13/
A SHORT WORK//
/Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children
of Israel be as/
/the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the
work, and cut it short in /
/righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the
earth.Romans 9:27-28/
//
//At the close of his Gospel record, John penned these words, under the
inspiration of the SPIRIT of GOD; “/This is the disciple which
testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his
testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did,
the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the
world itself could not contain the books that should be written.
Amen.”(John 21:24-25/) This is an incredible statement, yet one which
only serves to testify of the absolute dominion of CHRIST over all of
HIS creation, and the far reaching effects that CHRIST JESUS the MAN had
upon this world which HE condescended to dwell in, bearing witness of
the glory of GOD’s grace in the redemption of that people which HE came
into the world to save.
I believe that John primarily had in mind the many miracles, acts of
kindness, and testimonies of TRUTH that came forth from the LORD as HE
ministered to the sons of men during the three years (approximately) of
HIS public ministry which commenced with HIS baptism in Jordan by John
the Immerser.Yet there is good likelihood that, John (the disciple whom
JESUS loved), was a cousin of the LORD JESUS and was acquainted with HIM
in the years leading up to the commencement of that ministry. Thus he
might likely, also, have reference to the exploits of the LORD before HE
becamewidely, sought, loved, and ultimately hated by the multitudes to
whom HE ministered the WORD of GOD in SPIRIT and TRUTH.
We only have a smattering of testimony concerning these early years, and
it has not pleased the LORD to give us more insight into HIS life during
this time.We have the first mentioning of HIS life when the babe (John
the Baptiser) leaped in his mother’s womb as the virgin Mary, being with
CHILD, came into the presence of Elisabeth (John’s mother).Then we see
the testimony of HIS life when the Angels bore witness to those
shepherds that HE was born in a stable, and they went to see HIM.Then we
see HIM being circumcised and ultimately brought to the Temple according
to the Law (which HE fulfilled even in infancy) where Simeon, a common
man whom the scripture describes as just and devout, led by the SPIRIT,
took HIM in his arms, prophesying and rejoicing that he could now die in
peace, having seen the SAVIOR, the CONSOLATION of Israel./“And Simeon
blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set
for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which
shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul
also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke
2:34-35/)Anna, a prophetess, testified of the same. /“And she coming in
that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all
them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:38/)
Then we see the first mention of HIM as HE began to develop into a young
man.“/And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with
wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” Luke 2:40/)Next we see HIM
in the Temple. “/And it came to pass, that after three days they found
him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing
them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished
at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were
amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with
us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said
unto them, How is it that ye sought me? _wist ye not that I must be
about my Father's business_?” (Luke 2:46-49/) Even as a youth, HE had
but one purpose in HIS mind, which was to do HIS FATHER’s will.HIS early
years are summed up as HE honored HIS parents as the LORD demanded in
HIS Law.“/And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was
subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
_And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and
man._” (Luke 2:51-52/)
Then the scriptures grow dim as far as information about HIS growing
years.It is only when we see HIM turn water into wine at a wedding feast
in Cana of Galilee, that the narrative about HIS ministry of miracles
and testimony picks up in earnest. /“And it came to pass in those days,
that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in
Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens
opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a
voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased.” (Mark 1:9-11) “_And Jesus himself began to be about thirty
years of age_.” (Luke 3:23)/at the time of HIS baptism in the River Jordan.
It is commonly received as fact that HIS ministry from that time covered
a period of three years.While the scriptures do not spell this out,
scholars have settled upon this time frame from piecing together various
historic events which are relative to HIS life.In any event we can be
sure that HIS public ministry was relatively short compared with the
length of HIS life.Thus, we see illustrated in HIS life, a principle by
which the LORD is pleased to work among men.
As the LORD fulfilled HIS appointment with Nicodemus, HE set forth this
very principle as HE described to Nicodemus the manner in which the LORD
is pleased to bring HIS people from darkness to LIGHT.What HE told
Nicodemus, a student of the Scriptures, is that a man cannot “learn” his
way into the Kingdom of GOD.Rather this entrance can only occur
“suddenly” and without warning.The ability to “know” the things of this
Kingdom, comes only as the LORD awakens a man./“Marvel not that I said
unto thee, _Ye must be born again_. The wind bloweth where it listeth,
and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh,
and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John
3:7-8/)
Men cannot gain this “Kingdom” by natural birth into a certain family of
people. (i.e.; “/not of blood/”). Nicodemus considered that he, being a
Jew, was already privy to this access, and many, even today, assume that
their family ties are useful unto this end.Men cannot gain it by any
ability which they may possess,(i.e.; “/nor of the will of the
flesh/”).Neither can they find an entrance there through study or
learning. (i.e.; “/nor of the will of man/”).The LORD revealed the
blindness of men in grasping the TRUTH found in the WORD of GOD when HE
told the Pharisees (who were studious and learned men),/“Search the
scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and _they are
they which testify of me_. And ye will not come to me, that ye might
have life.” (John 5:39-40/)A study of the Bible (though useful to all)
cannot minister any true help to them apart from the revelation of the
ONE who is the SUBJECT and OBJECT of all that is recorded there. “/Which
were born, _not_ of blood, _nor_ of the will of the flesh, _nor_ of the
will of man, _but of God_.” (John 1:13/)
While we see the work of regeneration (i.e.; being born again) as a
demonstration of the principle of a “short work” by the LORD, the
grandest demonstration of this principle is seen in the final words of
CHRIST upon Calvary’s cross.We understand that the LORD JESUS came into
the world and lived approximately thirty-three years, during which time,
HE went about doing good and fulfilling the Law in its jot and
tittle.Yet it is with those final words, “/it is finished/”, that the
glory of the Kingdom of GOD was ushered in as HE completed the work
which HE came to do in being made sin for that remnant which HE loved
from the beginning. “/There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1/)mam