Morning
Time: 6:56 AM PST
"Ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone."
--John 16:32
Few had fellowship with the sorrows of Gethsemane. The majority of the
disciples were not sufficiently advanced in grace to be admitted to behold the
mysteries of "the agony." Occupied with the passover feast at their own houses,
they represent the many who live upon the letter, but are mere babes as to the
spirit of the gospel. To twelve, nay, to eleven only was the privilege given to
enter Gethsemane and see "this great sight." Out of the eleven, eight were left
at a distance; they had fellowship, but not of that intimate sort to which men
greatly beloved are admitted. Only three highly favoured ones could approach the
veil of our Lord's mysterious sorrow: within that veil even these must not
intrude; a stone's-cast distance must be left between. He must tread the
wine-press alone, and of the people there must be none with Him. Peter
and the two sons of Zebedee, represent the few eminent, experienced saints, who
may be written down as "Fathers;" these having done business on great waters,
can in some degree measure the huge Atlantic waves of their Redeemer's passion.
To some selected spirits it is given, for the good of others, and to strengthen
them for future, special, and tremendous conflict, to enter the inner circle and
hear the pleadings of the suffering High Priest; they have fellowship with Him
in his sufferings, and are made conformable unto His death. Yet even these
cannot penetrate the secret places of the Saviour's woe. "Thine unknown
sufferings" is the remarkable expression of the Greek liturgy: there was an
inner chamber in our Master's grief, shut out from human knowledge and
fellowship. There Jesus is "left alone." Here Jesus was more than ever an
"Unspeakable gift!" Is not Watts right when he sings--
"And all the unknown joys he gives,
Were bought with agonies unknown."