"I Will Go Before You."

He had shown them how to remember Him with bread and wine. Then they sang a hymn, and went unto the Mount of Olives. While there He said He was going to be smitten, and they would be scattered. He knew what this would mean to them, for those men loved Him much, and therefore He says, "Howbeit, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee" (Mark 14. 28). So once more the Servant Son speaks as prophet, knowing all about the future, beyond life as reckoned by time, for He was indeed Divine, and thus He refers to His resurrection and His going into Galilee.

How comforting and consoling to those disciples to think that after being separated they should see Him again! Their sorrow and sadness would, we imagine, be alleviated somewhat by this: they were to be found in Galilee with Himself (what hallowed memories would thus he awakened, and what high expectations incited! ) but He would go in advance of them.

Zechariah the prophet wrote about the Shepherd being smitten, and this was fulfilled when the Lord Jesus died at Calvary, but during that distressing period following His death the promise of the Lord would help to keep those disciples-He was going before them.

We well know how often death does separate us from loved ones, who like ourselves are children of God through faith in God's Son. In days of darkness and sorrow, when grief stricken beyond telling, and life is hard to live; when we long for the touch of a hand that was, or listen in vain for the sound of a well-known voice; what is it that can comfort us ? It is the fact that He has gone on before, for to Galilee our Lord and Saviour went; and eventually to Bethany and on to Glory. There He is preparing a place for us, as He said at an earlier time (John 14. 2). Yes! we shall see Him; and our loved ones too, "for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with Him" (1

Thessalonians 4. 14).

Oh! the prospect of this; the thrill of it : Himself, and our loved ones!

unknown | Oct 1936
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