A Brief Meditation on Luke 11.
IF it be permitted to select one passage of Scripture as being especially beautiful where all comes from a Divine source, or to speak of a favorite passage of that which is all “given by inspiration of God,” and the question were asked as to what portion of Scripture appeals most to the heart and in which greatest delight is found, it is probable that most Christians would turn instinctively to Luke 2. Apart from the affecting character of the narrative, and the simple beauty of the language, the events recorded there are of such vast importance in connection with the dealings of God with mankind, and show in such unmistakable terms the disposition of God towards men, that they command the attention and wonder of all those who have any interest in such matters.
Truly a wonderful theme is opened in the chapter: no less than the entry of the Son of God into the world which His own hands had made. For it is God Himself Who comes to visit and redeem His people. Little did the Roman Emperor think, when he sent out the autocratic decree that all the world should be taxed, that he was but an instrument in the hands of God to cause the Saviour-King to be born in the place which God’s wondrous purpose had determined hundreds of years before. And so there takes place in the village of Bethlehem an event which causes every eye in heaven to be turned on this earth rapt in wonder and attention, for “Heaven’s Beloved One” is down here amongst men as a blessed heavenly visitor.
There has probably been no moment in the history of this sin-stained world when there was less for God than when Christ was born. All the nations were sunk in the darkness of heathenism; God’s chosen people were in hopeless subjugation to the pagan Emperor, and, while careful to maintain the outward observances of the Jewish ritual, were in reality little better than the heathen around them; four hundred years had passed since the death of Malachi, the last of the long line of prophets. It might well be said that all light that existed for God here was well-nigh extinguished. Not quite extinguished, we know, for there were a few faithful souls waiting for the consolation of Israel; but the light was only flickering in the hearts of a few.
But now is dawning the most blessed day that has ever been seen by man, the day of which the ancient prophets looking darkly into the future spoke in glowing words, the day of which David sang in the Psalms, the day which, long before, God revealed to the rejoicing eyes of the patriarch Abraham. For Christ is born. What blessed words are those uttered by the angel to the shepherds, but true, thank God, for every creature under heaven who will receive it― “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”; words which, though so familiar to every ear, come ever with freshness and delight to the Christian’s heart.
Well may we say, in the words of the Apostle Paul, “Great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh” (1 Tim. 3:1616And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)). The human mind is only amazed and perplexed at the wonder before it; the mystery is entirely beyond its grasp. And even the Christian, with his renewed mind, when he reflects on Who was there in the form of a babe, can only wonder and praise. For this Child, differing not in outward form from any other, was the God Who inhabits eternity, Whom heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain, before Whose face earth and heaven will flee away when He comes in judgment. And there was no room for Him in the inn, the first of many indications that there was no place for Him in the world which His hands had made, and that His pathway in this scene was to be one of suffering and rejection ended by Calvary’s Cross.
Not the least touching part of the chapter is the testimony of Simeon and Anna. These two faithful Israelites, who had lived in obscurity so far as men were concerned, and were now nearing the end of life’s journey, suddenly come into view and render a most glorious testimony to the blessed One Who lay there unrecognized and unnoticed by those around. How great the privilege for the aged Simeon, who all his life had been patiently awaiting the coming of the Messiah, to be allowed to hold in his arms Him Who was not only the Messiah of His earthly people, but also the Saviour of the world! And like many another since, who has learned something of the blessedness of Christ, he is now ready to depart in peace, for his eyes have seen God’s salvation.
Dear reader, is Christ anything to you? We have not the privilege of knowing Him after the flesh. The day when that was possible has passed never to return; but if you receive Him by faith now your eyes will surely see Him one day, not in humiliation as a man down here, but “sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.” And the believer, whose heart has been won to the lowly and crucified Saviour, views with great delight the prospect of seeing Him crowned with glory and honor, and confessed by a world which now slights and ignores Him. Then will be fulfilled the promise, spoken by a prophet of old, and precious indeed to every heart that has a spark of loyalty or affection for Christ, “Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty” (Isa. 33:1717Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. (Isaiah 33:17)).
F. W. R.
“Thou art the everlasting Word,
The Father’s only Son;
God manifest, God seen and heard,
The heaven’s beloved One;
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou,
That every knee to Thee should bow.
“Image of th’ Infinite Unseen,
Whose being none can know,
Brightness of light no eye hath seen,
God’s love revealed below.
The light of love has shone in Thee,
And in that love our souls are free.”