Many of us say, “What can we do in the service of the Lord?” Young people, let us remember that the older members of the ecclesia (not our ecclesia, but the Ecclesia of God) are there for our instruction.
Look at an example in Christ! We are told that in youthfulness He was in the temple, sitting in the midst of the Doctors of the Law, not seeking out persons of His own age to learn! We should do well to follow that as an example.
These leaders of Jerusalem, it was claimed, were the persons who had knowledge of God’s Word; and at that stage of the Lord’s life such an attitude was seemly. He sat in the midst of them; He was not teaching them as yet. Young people, we should do well to take a lesson from this, to sit in the midst of those who know more than we.
Another thing — often we sit and hear things we do not understand! We should ask, because Christ asked. He sat as “the instructed” of Isaiah 50:4. “He was given the tongue of the instructed, that he might speak a word to them that were weary and then his ear was opened as the instructed.” Such was the wonderful way in which He put Himself as an example. For He both heard and asked. Where we do it we shall receive.
There is a beautiful passage in 2 Sam. 23:8 about David’s men. Their names are given, they belonged to him, they were part of his great realm, his kingdom. “These are the names of the mighty men David had”. They were always at their Lord’s disposal, as willing servants. Isn’t this exactly our relationship to Jesus?
Mark opens up this thought, having service in mind, for in the time of the Lord and ever since then, it has been a great need. In chapter 3 of Mark, verse 13, we read that Christ went up into a mountain, thus reminding His disciples that the work of God needs energy, it is not ‘an armchair job’. You will notice that at the outset of the chapter there is nothing mentioned about beds or sitting places in the temple. It is a mark of decline, as for instance, in 1 Sam. when we are told that Eli the priest sat on the seat by the door post and when the young Samuel was brought to the temple, he also lay there. You will notice that no provision is made for that in Exodus. It was not in accord with the Lord’s work in the times of the Tabernacle and since. The first movement here indicates that they were neither lying down in the temple, nor taking their ease, as in the days of Haggai, but going up to the mountain. It requires energy of purpose and strength of heart to go up. You will note in Mark, “He goeth up into a mountain and calleth unto Him whom He would and they came unto Him”, verse 13.
In that position, there are those whom He can call. For if there be no purpose of heart they will not go, and if the eye is not on Jesus, they will be reluctant to go up, preferring to sit down below where no energy is needed. Whilst we may put a lot of energy into sport or our business, do we fail in the energy that counts? Spiritual energy? How can we obtain this energy? By attending the Memorial Meetings on Sundays, and using other occasions to listen to those of more understanding. This mountain requires energy and purpose of heart to reach the top; why? For the Lord is there!
Why didn’t Christ take them with Him, why did He not call them from the plain? Surely there is a reason for that! According to Luke, after appointing the twelve, He came down with them to the plain where men are, but here the call is from the top, requiring purpose. It says, “they came unto Him and He chose twelve that they should be with Him and that He might send them forth to preach and to have power to heal the sick and to cast out devils”.
The call from the plain would be answered by all. The call from a mountain-top is ignored by all except the hardy and enthusiastic. The thought of the call from the mountain-top is easy enough he called whom He would. It was His own selection, for there is no call for volunteers here. The twelve answered His call and it is then recorded, “He chose twelve that they should be with Him”. It was a test of companionship, of the Lord Jesus Christ to be with Him that He might send them forth to preach. And although they did not know it, Christ at the end of His life said that they were a comfort to Him.
Mark now moves on to the sad history of unbelief, portrayed in this gospel more than in any other, The disciple here is bringing out the unbelief of the twelve apostles. Turn to chapter 16. Some of you may ask why this is written down. To warn you of the dangers of unbelief? If we go to verse 9, “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared unto Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils”.
In verse 8 there is reference to some of the women. We are told “they fled from the sepulchre, neither said they anything to any man”. What good was that? (Some did, see Matt. 28:8). They had seen wonderful things, they had seen the evidence that the Lord had risen, plus the testimony from “the young man”. Of what value were they? There was no testimony. It is only natural to be scared when some great crisis like this arises and to say nothing because of fear. But of what good are we then?
In the ninth verse we see the Lord on the scene. He comes to Mary (who had testified of her risen Lord). The question in this chapter is, “have I faith?” Without faith we are of little or no use at all. If I am not active in faith, am I not discrediting the things I speak about? The Lord takes up the case and recovers them all to faith. This intervention of the Lord in a state of crisis is most encouraging, for He can bring back His people, so that faith lives again. They really had this thing, but it was buried down under pressure, in their hearts — inactive and useless.
Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene first. The other gospels show what a good selection it was. Then He appears to two others. Three all told. No doubt a testimony, for the testimony of three is stronger than one.
The record goes on to say, “And she went and told them that had been with Him, as they mourned and wept” (verse 10). Oh, young people, think upon this word “she told them that had been with Him”. It is well that they wept and mourned; it showed that they were not indifferent. “And they when they had heard that He was alive and had been seen of her believed not” (verse 11). Is the case lost? Think of them; those who had been favoured in the testimony, who were selected for it, mourning and weeping. And yet when the most trustworthy one comes to tell them they believe not. It looks as if the case is hopeless. Yet it is not hopeless, it never can be, if the Lord is in it.
Then verse 12 comes in with, “After that He appeared to two of them in another form, as they walked and went into the country”.
We can say much about this, for this is now the time of the city; God is witnessing to the cities. The millennium is the time of the country, look in Zech. 3:10, “In that day saith the Lord of Hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree”.
The Lord appeared to these that were going away from the city and it says in verse 13, “They went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them”. It looks even more hopeless, but is it so? The Lord has appeared to one, He has appeared to two, is He giving up now? No, young people, He will not. For He comes and appears unto the eleven Himself. He has a way of getting through to His brethren. He came to them when they ate meat, and wasted no words with them for their unbelief, for Christ does not mince His words when we fail to see through.
The Lord took up the problem, or it would have been hopeless. He will see to it that those whom He uses will be BELIEVERS IN THE TRUTH; there is no room for unbelief in His service. He says to them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature”, verse 15. “And after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God” (verse 19). “And they went everywhere and preached, the Lord working with them and confirming the word with signs following” (verse 20). The result, young people, is perfect and we can be sure that the Lord not only has us at his disposal, but he brings back our faith when it fails. He sees to it that some are always prepared to help carry out the word of salvation.
There is, at the moment, every encouragement for us as young people in Christ, to proclaim His name to every human whether a drug addict, bikie freak or what. God does not allow us to discriminate against persons. A very important message for us all. The Lord regards us as servants at His disposal, and brings us to faith, for without faith it is impossible to please the Almighty.
Let us put into practice what is written. Remember — God watches over them that do His work.
“Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” Ps. 127 : 1.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay