That man standing talking to the Centurion, what is he saying? Who is he? Let us draw closer. What was that ‘prisoner’ from Jerusalem and `Paul’ the name of the man in custody for the trouble he had caused. This prisoner you know nearly caused a revolt against the force of Rome in Jerusalem. The place was in an uproar and when our soldiers tried to bring about order they had great difficulty in subduing the people.” Such might have been the comment of bystanders.
The place Rome. The time about the middle of the first century. Talking to the Centurion was a man named Onesiphorus, looking for a prisoner Paul. He had come about one thousand sea miles from Ephesus. In these days of teleprinters and international television hook-ups by satellite we cannot realise the limitations on communication placed on our early beloved brethren. There was apparently no way that Paul could communicate his whereabouts to the brethren at Ephesus.
Paul was a member of the movement that had turned the Roman world “upside down”. (Acts 17 v. 6). It was the sect “everywhere spoken against”. (Acts 28 v. 22). Can you imagine what the Centurion might say when Onesiphorus asked “can you please direct me to the prisoner Paul?” “Oh yes, and why do you want to see him? Are you one of his crowd? Have you been involved in the trouble that he’s mixed up in?” These are some of the questions that could have been asked. The result of the questioning might have been a command from the Centurion “come along with us”. However, it appears that in God’s mercy this did not happen, but the immense danger of seeking Paul out was recognised by the Apostle. Paul praised this man because “he was not ashamed to visit a prisoner”. (2 Tim. 1 v. 16, N.E.B.).
Brethren are not in this moment in history being thrown into jail for their public presentation of the Gospel. However, the opportunity to be ashamed of our standing in the Truth is at least as great. In one way it is more possible, because we are not forced “without the camp” by the mere act of preaching. There is therefore a tendency to linger at the door, a temptation to want the best of both worlds.
Moses chose to identify with the people of God at the risk of losing the luxury of the Palace (Heb. 11 v. 24-25). For this reason, God is not ashamed (v. 16) to be called his God.
Let us be sure, though, that it is the ” reproach of Christ” we suffer and not just the result of our own bad manners. The way that we witness for Christ must demonstrate the love of God in Christ for the world when giving His only son to die for those who would live in Him. By no means can we love the evil and godlessness that is in the world. But our affection for sinners must make us act. We should want to make them justified by faith in Christ. Unless we have this urge to save others, we are not really appreciative of the salvation which, in God’s mercy, is being wrought in us.
Opportunities occur to identify with the truth in our daily lives. Recently a brother was in the office of the head of his company, talking to his superior. The boss used the name of our Master blasphemously. The brother appeared perturbed. The boss asked “What’s the trouble?” The brother answered, “It hurts me when someone for whom I have regard uses that name in that way”. The boss was not offended, but rather commended the action of the brother and endeavoured to avoid using that name again in that way, which had, through habit, lodged on the end of his tongue for years.
The friendship was retained and an opportunity to further demonstrate the truth secured. If the brother had been condemning or rebuking in his manner he would have failed to “buy up” the opportunity (Eph. 5 v.16, R.V. margin); he would have failed to purchase and use it wisely. In these circumstances for him to say “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ” (Rom. 1 v. 16) would be ludicrous, his attitude declaring his ignorance of it.
We are not called upon to sit in judgement on the world. “God will judge the world”, (1 Cor. 5 v. 13). God’s judgement and vengeance will be handed out by Him at His chosen time. The breaking off of the reading of Isaiah by the Master in Luke 4 vv.17-19, in our opinion, demonstrates this. Yet we have to speak out, plead, implore, to let our light shine, even though we risk the displeasure of our hearers. However, let us do it with humility or our cause is lost before we start. Concern for the eternal wellbeing of all men should be our guide here.
When it came to straight talking, Jesus was an expert. Yet of Him it was earlier said “He will not break a bruised reed or snuff out a smouldering wick” (Isa. 42 v. 3, N.E.B.). With every call to repentance from evil works by Jesus there was an inviting compassion clearly visible to those who accepted. Unless we behave like gentlemen (and ladies) we risk infuriating people who might otherwise be prepared to listen and agree. Their salvation therefore is in our hands. We can either be kind and inviting and with God’s blessing, help some off the road that leads to destruction, or be arrogant and push a few more firmly on their way to annihilation.
There was a certain traveler going down from Jerusalem to Jericho who fell among thieves. (Luke 10 v. 30). He was left on the side of the road half dead. First a priest hurrying on his way to perform the temple service passed by “on the other side”. A Levite did precisely the same later. They did not wish to be involved. They did not wish to be identified with this trouble. Their concern for themselves apparently exceeded any concern they might have had for the man who lay in the gutter. He might have been dead for all they knew. They didn’t go and look to see. They were afraid of the shame involvement might bring. The Samaritan, a despised Gentile, when he saw him, had compassion on him. This was the prime factor. This motivated him to go to him. To bind up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine. He was not afraid to be mixed up in an investigation as to how the man was wounded. He took him to a place where he could be secure and recuperate. This is the story of saving lives from the afflictions of the Devil.
Perhaps we wouldn’t pass by on the other side with the priest or the Levite, but we may be ashamed to be seen with some people. We may not want to be known as the friend of the publicans and sinners of today, perhaps alcoholics or drug addicts. These are the people who are really sick, lying in the gutter having been struck down by the lust of the flesh and have need of a physician. There are probably one or two of them in the local hospital who need our visit. (Matt. 9 v. 12). Those who are sanctified in Jesus Christ identify with Him, the Good Samaritan, bringing the Gospel to the poor and brokenhearted (Luke 4 v. 18). Sanctification is sometimes seen to imply a shutting of oneself off from the world of sinners. This is an obvious misconstruction of the principle of sanctification —Jesus ate with publicans and sinners. (Luke 7 v. 34). Those whom He has “bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6 v. 20) are friendly people to all men without partaking in evil deeds. “He is not ashamed to call them brethren.” (Heb. 2 v. 11).
The day is soon to dawn when the entire world will be taken over by one man. In that day, a lot of people are going to want to identify with Him. To be “on the Lord’s side”. (See Exodus 32 v. 26). But the question as to who is really on the Lord’s side will be well and truly settled by then. Some are going to say “We have in Thy name done many wonderful works”. (Matt. 7 v. 22), and be told “I never knew you”. The reason Jesus had not known them was that they did not want to know Him. They had ample opportunity to do things for His brethren “however humble” (Matt. 25 v. 40, N.E.B.) and they did it not. The doing of things for Christ’s brethren has no time specification, therefore it applies to both before and after baptism. “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us” (Rom. 5 v. 8). The greatest thing we can do for people is to introduce them to the Truth.
It is remotely possible that you are reading this after a memorial meeting, even in the Ecclesial hall. It could be that the sister who was in all that trouble a couple of months ago is going out of the door with a tear in the corner of her eye because no-one has spoken to her. Yes, you are right, she should speak to others, however she doesn’t really know where she stands with some people, now that she has recognised her error, particularly you. She has been trying for weeks to speak to you one way or another after plucking up enough courage to do so. But you always seem to be speaking to the same group.
Quick now. Hurry after her. You may catch her. On the other hand, it may be too late to hand her a cup of water in the name of her elder brother, the one who is not “ashamed” to call her sister.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay