Difference between revisions of "The process was not easy!,."

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Back to Christ's Comfort for Weary Pilgrims!

("http://gracegems.org/Miller/SERMONS.htm" J. R. Miller, "The Friendships of Jesus" 1897)

"Jesus looked at him and said — You are Simon, son of John. 
You will be called Cephas (which means 'Rock')." John 1:42

"You are Simon." That was his name then. 
"You will be called Cephas." That was what he would become. 

This did not mean that Simon's character was changed instantly into the quality which the new name indicated. It meant that this would be his character by and by — when thework of grace in him was finished. The new name was a prophecy of what he was to become — the man that Jesus would make of him. Now he was only Simon — rash, impulsive, self-confident, vain — and therefore weak and unstable.

The process was not easy! 

Simon had many hard lessons to learn!

Self-confidence had to be changed into humility. 

Impetuosity had to be disciplined into quiet self-control. 

Presumption had to be awed and softened into reverence. 

Heedlessness had to grow into thoughtfulness. 

Rashness had to be subdued into prudence.

Weakness had to be tempered into calm strength.

Thus lesson after lesson did Simon have to learn, each one leading to a deeper humility.

It took a great deal of severe discipline to make him into the strong, firm man of rock, that Jesus set out to produce in him. The price which he had to pay to attain thisnobleness of character and this vastness of holy influence — was not too great. 

But how about ourselves? It may be quite as hard for some of us to be made into the image of beauty and strength, which the Master has set for us. It may require that we shall pass through experiences of loss, trial, temptation and sorrow. 

Life's great lessons are very long, and cannot be learned in a day; nor can they be learned easily. But at whatever cost, they are worth while. It is worth while for the gold to pass through the fire — to be made pure and clean. It is worth while for the gem to endure the hard processes necessary to prepare it for shining in its dazzling splendor. It is worth while for a Christian to submit to whatever severe discipline may be required — to bring out in him the likeness of the Master, and to fit him for noble living and serving.

For His poor Rachel

("The Marvelous Riches of Savoring Christ,
The letters of Ruth Bryan" 1805-1860)

Did Jacob serve seven years for his Rachel — by day in 
the heat, and by night in the frost — and did they seem 
but as a day unto him — for the love he had for her? 

Our spiritual Jacob has far exceeded him! He left 
the throne of His glory for His poor Rachel, and 
took her humble flesh in the form of a servant; and 
for her sake served thirty-three years under the Law!
He bore the heat of temptation, weariness, and thirst;
as well as the cold of reproach and scorn, and the 
malice of sinners against Himself. This He thought 
not too much; for when He had finished the work on 
her behalf, for her He cheerfully entered upon the 
most bitter part of His sufferings, which made even 
His mighty heart to shudder with agony, while His 
dear lips prayed — "O my Father, if it is possible, 
(with the rescue of my Bride) let this cup of suffering 
be taken away from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, 
but as You will." 

Behold the depth of His unflinching love! The 'cup of 
curse' must be drunk, or the captive Bride must perish! 
And so He takes the bitter cup, and does not turn away
until every dreg is consumed! And the same sacred lips 
which emptied it could say in triumph, "It is finished!" 

For the joy that was set before Him (of possessing His 
beloved bride) He endured the cross, despising the shame, 
and has now sat down at the right hand of God, until the 
blissful consummation before assembled worlds, when it 
will be joyfully proclaimed, "The marriage of the Lamb 
has come, and His wife has made herself ready!"

Then shall the spiritual Jacob and His Rachel meet and 
embrace, and part no more forever! She awaking up after 
His likeness, shall be satisfied! And He seeing her in glory, 
(the very travail of His soul,) shall be satisfied likewise!

"May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so
great you will never fully understand it!" Ephesians 3:19