To Jerusalem

Beloved, in the words of this text we read that the Lord Jesus announced His suffering to His disciples. In several other places we read that the Lord spoke of His suffering and death and of His resurrection, but the disciples understood none of these things.

Hereafter they would understand. The disciples were given to follow Him. What a sweet time that was. “…Can the children of the bride chamber fast while the Bridegroom is with them?” They were drawn out of the world, where they once lay with all men in the open field, polluted in their blood. There we all lie, by nature, beloved.

What a wonder to be picked up, drawn with His cords of love. Those cords are from eternity to eternity. Thus, the disciples were given to follow Him, who is the fairest and the most precious One, into whose lips grace is poured.

The disciples were given to follow Him, but it would be through such a way they had not imagined. What expectations there were among the disciples also that He would ascend the throne in Jerusalem. Still, they were such earthly expectations; His kingdom is not of this world. Here the Lord took His disciples only to teach them. What a blessing to be set apart once and receive instruction. Thus, it pleases the Lord, after having bestowed grace on his children— through the way of loss, sickness, or other afflictions, to once again take them apart for further instruction and more exercise.

“For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth…” There the disciples were prepared not to be offended with the way of the cross. There the Lord, as the great Prophet, was going to teach them. He knew what awaited Him, but He did not turn back.

“Behold, we go up to Jerusalem.” Only a few more days, and the Feast of Passover would be celebrated in Israel. Then the people would go up to Jerusalem, and the songs of degrees would be sung. Offerings would be brought in Jerusalem. This shadow service pointed toward Him who would make His soul an offering for sin. God’s justice demanded satisfaction to the very last penny. Thus, His hour had come. He would be glorified by His death and resurrection. “…when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.”

How willingly He gave Himself. The disciples did not understand it, but they were given to follow to Jerusalem. The choice was in their hearts; that love was bestowed, but how the sheep would be scattered. He has trodden the winepress alone. They understood hereafter.

How necessary, beloved, to be brought on the narrow way. This is a way where a dying life is being learned. Then we begin to hate and flee from what we used to love—yes, to be led into the depth of the Fall, the breach caused by sin—having had such a sweet time at the beginning, thinking to find salvation by breaking off the way of sin and living holily before God. Yes, at times, one may receive such encouragement from the Word. However, there will come a time when the soul turns in unto itself and learns that with everything it thought it possessed, it has no existence before the Lord. Then everything is insufficient; one comes to stand empty-handed—being led into the state of death in Adam, in order to learn by grace the secrets of salvation in Him who gave Himself. Oh, how precious, necessary, and suitable He then becomes for the soul.

Beloved, we are again in the Passion weeks. Oh, that the Lord might grant His blessing, that His kingdom might be extended among young and old, and that Zion might be built in the most holy faith. Oh, one crumb of grace for life has more value than all earthly treasures.

“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”

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