THESE Scriptures speak to us of service and waiting—of the season of separation between Jesus and His saints, and their occupation and watching while He tarries. In John 14 He tells us of His occupation for us― “I go to prepare a place for you.” “I am in heaven on your behalf, serving you there: when down here with you, I was your servant through all the varied details of human life; and now that I am going away from you into heaven, I shall be your willing servant there.” Yes, beloved, our blessed Lord Jesus has entered on His work for us with free and ready purpose of heart and intense delight, whereas we have to be set at the work: we need the exhortation, “Occupy till I come.”
And now tell me, what thoughts and desires fill the heart of Christ, while His hand is in service preparing the abode of love for us in the Father’s house? Oh! beloved―sweet blessed truth for our souls to drink in, to animate and sustain during His absence―the affections of His heart are reaching forth in anticipation of His joy in coming to receive us to Himself. Yes, though it may surprise us, the absorbing desire of our absent Lord is to have us with Himself, to see us by His side, to gaze upon us with delight. Now, I ask, what should be our attitude towards Him? Are our hearts for Him? How are they affected towards His coming again? In Matthew 25 we get the divine test whereby to judge. The wise and foolish virgins were together in going forth; but the foolish had no heart for Him; the affections were not awakened, as the lack of oil bespeaks. There was religiousness but no reality; and the answer to this we get in Luke 5:3333And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? (Luke 5:33): ― “Why do John’s disciples fast, and thy disciples fast not? When the Bridegroom is taken from them, then shall they fast.” This is the divine fast, the fast of earnest desire, the fast of the aching heart that has followed Himself up yonder, and yet looks, and waits, and gazes, and watches, to catch the first glimpse of Him when He returns; this is the real fast, the fast of faith. But, oh! the fast of human religiousness―how intolerable to faith! Put them, beloved, at an immeasurable distance. How abhorrent, I say again, is the fast of mere profession; but the fast under pressure of sorrow for an absent loved one meets heaven’s approval, gets God’s sanction and His eternal seal. Oh, beloved, are we in ready service for an absent Lord, and in joyful expectation of our loved Bridegroom. May our hands be active indeed, and our hearts earnestly desiring to see Him, to be with Him, to be met by Himself and brought in to our home, to sit down by His side, through a bright and blessed eternity.
Now, one word in conclusion. We see our blessed Lord Jesus surrounded by the glories of heaven, yet undistracted by them from His service for us. He serves faithfully and lovingly, and shall we suffer the wretched fascinations of the scene around to allure us away from any little measure of service we can do for His name. O for increased purpose of heart to glorify His name in our day and generation! Amen.