|
|
John Wesley was a man of the spirit, and many are the examples which are quoted from his life story to illustrate his Christian influence.This is from his diary, and it moves me more than many of the great spiritual phenomena for which our age hungers so plaintively.
"In the evening I was preaching at St Ives. Satan began to fight for his kingdom.The mob of the town burst into the room and created much disturbance; roaring, and striking those that stood in the way, as though Legion himself possessed them.I would fain have persuaded our people to stand still;but the zeal of some and the fear of others had no ears:so that finding the uproar increase, I went into the midst and brought the head of the mob up with me to the desk.I received but one blow on the side of the head: after which we reasoned the case, till he grew milder and milder, and at length undertook to quiet his companions."
Doesn't that speak volumes?
How many blows has your head received in defending the gospel of Christ lately? Wouldn't we have the police on them? Nurse our wounds? Take them to court? I am sure we wouldn't wipe away the blood and keep on preaching Christ without losing our cool, our tempers, or being overcome with self pity. No wonder Wesley won hard-hearted men and women to Christ.He loved them enough to suffer at their hands, till he'd won them over.
Jesus can do this with ordinary people who are not afraid of speaking up for him. Even getting hurt for him.
Jesus said:
Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?"
"You are demon-possessed" the crowd answered, "Who is trying to kill you?"
At that point some of the people of Jerusalem began to ask, "Isn't this the man they are trying to kill? Here he is, speaking publicly, and ;they are not saying a word to him. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the Christ?". John 7: 19-20, 25-26
A Prayer:
Lord, look upon us.We speak of taking up our crosses to follow you,then scream murder when assaulted by pin pricks.
Now read Job Chs. 1 and 2 (I know it's a long passage for today, but it is worth it).
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
Click
here to play audio file
