Observe, He did not bring him home. This He would do later. But all things in their season. Presently the Father’s house, its light, its love, its song; but now for a season the inn.
And what is the inn? It is the character the world assumes to us who know the Lord. He is that “certain Samaritan” who by no chance, but of full purpose and design, came our way – came where we were – and, seeing us in all our misery and ruin, saved us.
He brings us to an inn. Tis but the stopping place for a night. Soon the morning breaks: soon the Lord will return and take us hence. We look for Him. Our expectation lies beyond the stopping place.
No traveler engages himself extensively or intimately in the affairs of the inn. That business he leaves to those who are vitally connected with it.
Dear young Christian, did you ever chance to spend the night at some such place? Did you spend any leisure moments that were yours in the adorning of the room assigned you?
Did you polish the doorknob, or clean the windows? Did you rearrange the furniture? You did not. Your heart was not there. Your interests lay beyond.
And if, in addition, you knew the place to be condemned – if it were soon to be pulled down – soon to be demolished – your interest in it would be still less. If its owners were to attempt to engage you in efforts for its improvement, and were to submit problems to you concerning it, you would think this most odd, and probably would not scruple to say so.
“No,” you would say, “I am only here for the night. I am really not interested. Anyhow I understand the whole building is soon to be pulled down!”
This world, then, is that stopping place. We are only in it for the night.
Moreover, it is condemned. Sentence has been pronounced. God has done with it. He tested man four thousand years, but He tests him no longer. The cross of Christ brought all to a climax. Hear the verdict from His lips who cannot lie, “Now is the judgment of this world.” John 12:3131Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. (John 12:31).
We are straitly warned against it. “Love not the world,” thunders the aged Apostle John, “neither the things which are in the world. If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him.” Again James declares “the friendship of the world is enmity against God.” James 4:44Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4).
Shall we participate in the affairs of a scene like this? Do pilgrims cast vote in the countries through which they pass? Do strangers meddle with the governments of lands to which they do not belong? And does not 1 Peter 2:1111Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1 Peter 2:11) tell us that such we are – “pilgrims and strangers”? We are told repeatedly that we are “not of this world” (that is, no part of its system). (See John 15:19; 17:14, 1619If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. (John 15:19)
14I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:14)
16They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:16)). We are in the world but not of it. (John 17:1818As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. (John 17:18)).
Where is our home land? Of what country are we citizens? Let Philippians 3:2020For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20) give us the answer: “Our citizenship is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour.” The saints of God are our fellow-citizens (Eph. 2:1919Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (Ephesians 2:19)) and like the goodly company of Hebrews 11:13-1613These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:13‑16), we, confessing that we are strangers and pilgrims on the earth, seek “a better country.”
We observe also that the Lord Himself, when here in this scene, never interfered in its politics, nor attempted to regulate its government. He never cast a vote. Are we wiser than He?
In His days, Palestine was under the iron heel of Rome. He made no protest, He did not demur, though doubtless agitation against this tyrannical power would have made Him very popular with the masses.
He sanctioned the paying of tribute money to Caesar, though that ruler was both murderer and idolater.
When John the Baptist was slain, Jesus did not lift up His voice against Herod, though this was a crime of the first magnitude. The sorrow-stricken disciples of John come and acquaint Him with the outrage. Jesus makes no protest. He attempts no interference. Again, one asks, are we wiser than He?
What attitude, then, should we take towards the government of the land in which we find ourselves? An attitude of submission, of obedience. We are to submit “to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.” 1 Timothy 2:22For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:2).
We are to pay our taxes (Rom. 13:6, 76For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:6‑7)). We are to be respectful to authorities (2 Peter 2:1010But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. (2 Peter 2:10)), and, as far as it lies in us, we are to live peaceably with all men. (Rom. 12:1818If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:18)) We are to pray for all men, and particularly for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:22For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:2)). We should so live that by our “good works” those about us may “glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:1212Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12)).
So, dear young Christian, our happiest place is one of aloofness from this world’s politics.
The world has never yet found the right man, anyhow. Its candidates always prove disappointing. The one whose praises are sung aloud today, is the reviled office-holder of tomorrow. History repeats itself.
Thank God, we know the right Man. At present He is rejected here. Someday (and not very far hence) He will assume office. “A king shall reign in righteousness.” Then creation’s groan will cease, and earth shall enter upon a thousand years of such peace, prosperity, joy and gladness as He alone can give. Let us reserve our votes for Him.