“Lord, if it be Thou...”
“A HARD saying that—I couldn't hate.”
Yes, lads, it is a hard saying indeed for anyone who does not know the "Me" who is speaking, for it is a right thing to love father and mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters. Families are of God's ordering, and we have responsibility one toward another. A Christian should not be among those who are "without natural affection," which is one of the signs of the last times; but he must hate anything and everything that hinders him from following the Lord Jesus, even should it be something in a loved relative or friend. If Christ has the first place in his affection all else will be in subjection. Perhaps this story will help you to understand the verse. It is about a young man named Jonathan, who was a very fine character, but we will look at him as a type of a Christian, in reference to these words.
Jonathan was the son of a king who lived some few years before the one who found everything under the sun vanity and vexation of spirit. This king, Saul, was not nearly so rich or wise as that king, but like him, when he first came to the throne he was humble-minded. After a while Saul became proud and impatient, he did that which was right in his own eyes instead of asking guidance from God. In consequence of this he fell into serious trouble and sin, and by God's ordering a young man named David was anointed to be king in his stead.
Saul was jealous of David, so jealous that he took every opportunity to try to kill him; but David was good to Saul, serving him faithfully; indeed, many a time he took his life in his hand to be of service to him. At last, however, Saul's jealousy became so unbearable that David was obliged to flee from him. He wandered far away, continually being hunted and chased from place to place. He lived on the mountains, in caves, forests—anywhere out of the reach of Saul's murderous hand.
“IF any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”
“IF we suffer, we shall also reign with him.”
“Into the City”
SAUL'S son loved David; he admired his courage and bravery, he saw how wisely David behaved, and how faithfully he served his father. He noticed that David never retaliated for the bad treatment he received, but always returned good for evil, and he knew that God was with him.
A day came when this son, Jonathan, had to come to a decision. He had to make a choice. Would he go into rejection with the man after God's own heart?
“Ah," you say, "it was hard.”
Hard it was, terribly hard, and we are not told that Jonathan turned to God in his extremity, or asked counsel of Him.
Jonathan made his choice, he kissed David good-bye and went into the city, but "David arose and departed.”
We read that Jonathan saw David once again, and "he strengthened his hand in God." He said, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.”
David did come to be king, lads, but Jonathan was not "next unto him.”
“THERE is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life ever lasting.”
Luke 18:29, 3029And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, 30Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. (Luke 18:29‑30).
He Falls in the Fight
JONATHAN knew there was no fault in David, he knew that he was God's king in reserve. He loved him well enough to stand boldly before an angry and jealous father and plead for him. He could say truly, "He hath not sinned against thee, his works have been to thee-ward very good." Yet he did not go into exile with David, the one whom he loved "as his own soul.”
Now, lads, listen: The Lord Jesus Christ is in rejection at this present time. He is cast out of this world; but the day is coming soon when He will reign. Why not take a definite stand for Him now? Will you allow that "something" which comes between your soul and your Lord, even if it is your "own life also"?
Let us take a last look at Jonathan. He has never joined in persecuting David, but he has not suffered with him, he is in the company of the one who is not for the man of God's choice, they are fighting a common foe and they both fall in the struggle, and then—then—Jonathan's dead body is found hanging on the walls of the enemy!
“LORD Jesus, with Thee lies our excellent part:
Our Prophet, our Priest, and our David Thou art!
Oh, come! take possession of earth, air and sea;
Church, Israel and Gentiles are waiting for Thee!”
E. L. B.