Around 1850, brother G. V. Wigram was editing a monthly publication called Present Testimony. During this time, he received a manuscript, an anonymous meditation on the gospel of Luke.
He felt that it was “precious, and calculated to refresh souls” and so presented it in serial form in his publication. Years later, the Christian Truth reran these meditations, noting that “they are not calculated to merely increase knowledge as such, but more importantly they touch our hearts as we see the heart of God displayed in the Man Christ Jesus.”
We too have had our heart warmed in reading Mr. J. G. Bellett’s work. We trust that our readers will likewise be blessed in reading some excerpts as they are presented from time to time in the Christian Shepherd. Any who desire to obtain the complete bound volume of this sweet ministry can do so from the address listed in the front of this publication.
Luke 1
It is impossible to read this chapter without feeling that heaven is opened very widely to the view of earth. We ought to read all Scripture with personal application. As with Jacob’s ladder and Stephen’s address, in the beginning of Luke we get the opened heaven communicating with earth.
Zacharias, who was serving the Lord in the temple, was surprised by the angel’s visit. He was not prepared for it, and the angel says, “Fear not.” Does the thought of nearness to God awaken alarm in your soul? How blessed to see Him quieting such alarms: “Fear not”!
Zacharias confesses that he was not prepared, and the angel rebukes him. But there is comfort in this too. Would it be happy to you if a person did not show confidence in you? So the angel expresses, “I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God.”
Why beloved, is your faith challenged? Would you be comfortable if God did not care for your confidence? It could not be so among friends. How we need to read Scripture with intimacy of heart, rather than just to acquaint ourselves with words and sentences. It is by Scripture that I get into nearness to God in heart and conscience.
In the sixth month the angel goes to Mary God still communicates with the earth. Her faith was more simple than Zacharias’s. Again the angel’s words are “Fear not.” Do not miss that! What comfort in the fact that a visitor from heaven had such words upon his lips! And he then speaks of what God was about to do. Mary answers, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Faith, as we see here, is the proper answer to grace.
If someone offers you a kindness, you accept it. It is the only return you can render. God’s grace shines out bringing salvation, and the sinner’s duty is to accept it. I have mistaken the glad tidings, if they have not made me happy.
Then we get Elizabeth and Mary, a beautiful example of communion in the Holy Spirit. They meet—the wife of the high priest and the betrothed of the carpenter—not merely in flesh, but in spirit. Elizabeth acts meekly; Mary acts humbly. Such sweet fellowship arises when people forget the flesh and act only in the spirit.
Then, finally, we see a beautiful thing in Zacharias’s mouth being opened. Unbelief had shut it faith had opened it. While God does not afflict willingly, He does personally with an end in view. It was right that he should be silenced for a time. But as soon as possible, his mouth was opened, wider than ever he counted on.