No.7

by J.R. LUCK | Category: Devotional Meditations | Feb 1963

(Suggested for reading: Psalm 22 and the accounts of the Crucifixion. Also Revelation chapters 4 and 5)

In our previous meditations we have seen the lonely Man described in Psalm 22 forsaken by man, forsaken by God; and the language of Paul and of our hearts has been, "He loved me, and gave Himself up for me." We have, in thought, seen Judas betraying Him with a kiss; following, as He is led silent as a sheep to the slaughter to those mock trials, we have listened to His claim to be " I AM," the Son of the Blessed. The awful humiliation and foul treatment He suffered at the hands of His creatures have not passed unnoticed. With stirred emotions we have witnessed the spitting and the scourging, seen the purple robe and the crown of thorns, our ears have been insulted at the taunting cry, "Hail, King of the Jews." Despite Pilate's thrice-repeated declaration, " I find no crime in Him," we have been startled at the popular demand for Barabbas and their clamour for Jesus to be crucified. We have followed Him to Golgotha and there have watched as they elevate the cross, on which He is fixed by cruel spikes. We have heard the taunting cry of the rulers, "He saved others; let Him save Himself, if this is the Christ of God, His chosen." We have noticed, in the words of Psalm 22, that He is enclosed by the assembly of evil-doers, who are described as strong bulls, roaring lions with gaping mouths, horned wild oxen, and dogs. What a scene!

By faith we see Him lifted up,

On the cross.

He drinks for us the bitter, cup,

On the cross.

The rocks are rent, the mountains quake,

While Jesus doth atonement make,

While Jesus suffers for our sake,

On the cross.

But the psalmist, with God-directed vision, sees much further than this dark scene; verse 22 speaks of that same One praising God in the midst of the assembly. The portals of heaven having received Him, the mighty Conqueror 8its down upon the Father's throne:

Sinners in derision crown'd Him,

Mocking thus the Saviour's claim,

Saints and angels crowd around Him,

Own His title, praise His name.

God has crown'd Him, Hallelujah

Sing aloud the Victor's fame.

Yet again (verses 28 and 29) the psalmist pierces the future and sees all nations worshipping Him; He is the Ruler of the peoples, for the kingdom belongs to Him by divine right. Coming to the book of the Revelation we have, in chapter four, a remarkable scene. It is set in heaven and the One who was once the Centre of that assembly of evil-doers is now included in the theme of angels' songs as He is with His Father upon that emerald-like throne encircled with a lustrous rainbow. Lonely and visage-marred no longer, His appearance is indescribably glorious; He is adored by all as King of kings and Lord of lords. Encircling the throne of God are minor thrones, over which He presides. These are occupied by "elders" in white garments with golden crowns. Six-winged living creatures encircle His throne, having no rest day or night, as they say "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God, the Almighty, which was and which is and which is to come."

Day and night they cry before Him

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

All the powers of heaven adore Him,

All obey His sov'reign word.

At their paean of praise the twenty-four elders fall down and worship God and cast their crowns before Him, saying, "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honour and the power: for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they were, and were created."

It is a far cry from that awful scene at Calvary, but lest, even in the glory, we should lose sight of that redemptive act, we are, in chapter five, again shown the rainbow-circled throne and the One who occupies it, as "a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain." Yes, though He is "the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah," He will be seen by adoring myriads for all eternity as "the Lamb of God," with wounds in His hands and feet and side, the marks of Calvary. He who was once enclosed by the assembly of evil-doers is the Centre of bliss and joy unspeakable. In sharp contrast to the bitter jibes at Calvary He hears the new song, "Worthy art Thou ... for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with Thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation, and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth."

John was further given a glimpse of many angels, living creatures and elders round about the throne, whose number was "ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands"; uncountable, with but one voice they say of Him who sits upon the central throne, "Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honour, and glory, and blessing." And the echo rolls back from all created things and beings, "Unto Him that sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb, be the blessing, and the honour, and the glory, and the dominion, for ever and ever."

In chapter seven there follows the sealing of the 144,OOO of Israel, then is seen "a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation, and of all tribes and peoples and tongues." John is informed that these are the faithful from the great tribulation, and they are seen, "standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands; and they cry with a great voice, saying, Salvation unto our God which sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels were standing round about the throne, and about the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen."

Amen, one lasting, long Amen,

Heaven's blissful cadence, deep and loud,

While every heart before the throne

In holy, solemn awe is bowed.

J.R. LUCK | Feb 1963
Devotional Meditations