There is nothing the true heart desires more than communion, and it is not only my desire, but Christ’s heart desires it. This is an immense comfort, and yet it is so little known. We know so little of what it is to be in company with the Lord; walking down here but in company with Him. It is not only that He is considering for me, but I may be in company with His mind, with Himself. The youngest believer may be in company with the Lord, though he may know very little.
In John 13 the Supper was in prospect in remembrance of His death. All was in prospect, and now He rises from supper, and begins another work, a new work. He has finished one work, completed; “there is no more offering for sin;” what the upper represented is over, and He begins another work which is going on now. Washing our feet: “the washing of water by the Word.”
The Lord did not give His Word in this way to Old Testament saints. You do not find them washing their feet. It is Christ’s present work for us; and what is the object of it? That we should have communion with Himself.
We might use the word concert, for the word communion has become so common that we have lost the real meaning of it. The meaning of communion with Christ is that I am in concert with Him. We are together in company; we are in the same line of things. No one can follow the Lord save in communion.
In Philippians there is a different acquaintance with Christ in each chapter. All of us are in more or less trial and difficulty in which we can have company with the Lord. If I tell out all my difficulties to Him, I shall have the peace of God (chapter 4:7), and what am I to do then?
“Whatsoever things are lovely... think on these things.”
You could not do this if you were not in peace. If worried by the affairs of life, you cannot display these beautiful traits of character. Unburden, then, your heart to God; tell Him all; and you will come out in the practical thing with the peace of God, and the God of peace with you.
This is not for any high line of service, but for the daily routine of life. I am not worried by the details of daily life, because I have learned what Christ is to me. So that Paul says,
“I can do all things through Him who strengtheneth me.”
Instead of being flurried and worried, I come out gracious and considerate to everyone. If not, I am not walking in the circumstance in the power of Christ.