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Questions from Our Readers

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Questions from Our Readers

4 minuten leestijd Arcering uitzetten

What is meant when it is said from the pulpit “those that are nigh” and “those that are afar off”?

Having just finished writing the meditation about Joseph of Arimathaea being a disciple of the Lord Jesus, secretly, for fear of the Jews, I consider the above-mentioned question a good example of those that are “afar off but brought nigh.” This is, indeed, often mentioned in prayer or in sermons. Therefore, read the meditation in conjunction with my answer to this question. I believe Joseph of Arimathaea was a soul who much of his life had stood afar off but was brought nigh to Christ through His death. The blessed saving power of Christ’s death became evident in the fact that he boldly came to Pilate and craved (coveted) the body of Jesus. The matters whereof we speak deal with steps in grace and degrees of faith by which a sinner embraces the benefits of Christ.

The expressions nigh or afar off are easily traceable in the Scriptures. Regarding the latter, we read in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14) that the publican was standing afar off and “would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven.” Here the Lord Jesus movingly paints the picture of a soul who has no rights, no claims, and no boldness of himself. His place is in the dust. What a precious place to be, actually. I fear that we live in a time that this self-loathing on account of one’s own sin and unworthiness is becoming rare. Standing afar off did not make the publican worthier of going home justified. Neither does it mean that the publican was farther removed from the availability of that atoning fruit to which the sacrifice in the temple pointed. On account of a heartfelt self-knowledge he considered himself unworthy of its blessing. Often people that stand afar off are looked down upon because they are presumed to have only unbelief or are simply ignorant of their blessings and privileges. The contrary may actually be the case. A soul standing afar off may very well have genuine exercises of faith but lack liberty to make use of the blessings proposed. This lack is often fueled by deep impressions of one’s own unworthiness and sin. Would the Lord have mercy upon such a one as I am—one who has deserved to be cast away forever? Standing afar off can also be caused by deeply tried faith. Sometimes God’s dearest children are most tried. It is good that in prayer and in the preaching, attention is given to such souls. They need help. They need to hear their name mentioned. They need to be brought nigh.

Indeed, standing afar off may also be taken more literally as in Ephesians 2:13&17 where Paul speaks of the Gentiles versus those who are citizens of God’s kingdom. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes (once) were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” “And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.” Here Matthew Henry explains that those that are afar off are like the prodigal son in the far country; unconverted sinners remove themselves at a distance from God, and God puts them at a distance: “He beholds the proud afar off.” He also points to the wonder of the access that lies in the work of the Holy Spirit and the work of Christ whereby a heart is given to come, strength is granted to come, and grace to serve God acceptably is given. May you, dear reader, know something of that? If so, you can never look down upon the lowly or those afar off. You will likewise remember and pray for them. Grace makes a soul humble. The Lord “hath respect unto the lowly: but the proud He knoweth afar off ” (Psalm 138:6).

How was Joseph of Arimathaea made nigh, brought nigh by the blood of Christ? After his bold action his faith certainly was not ashamed, but we read nothing more of him. Brought nigh was nevertheless the blessed portion of this man afar off. May such breaking through of faith be seen in our churches. p

Please send your questions to Rev. H. Hofman, 112 Pratt Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, or hofman@premieronline.net.

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Bekijk de hele uitgave van maandag 1 april 2019

The Banner of Truth | 24 Pagina's

Questions from Our Readers

Bekijk de hele uitgave van maandag 1 april 2019

The Banner of Truth | 24 Pagina's