II Corinthians 4:5-7
"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."
October 12th
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life...." John 14:6
TODAY is the time to hear His words: "I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE!" Carefully weigh His words and follow in His footsteps, lest – like unto the Jewish priesthood, you become "beaten with many stripes" and appointed your "portion with the hypocrites"!
Especially mentioned for our good is the fact of four women standing near the cross: (1-2) The mother of Jesus and her sister. The "mother" of Jesus was Zion the heavenly whose sister is Jerusalem the earthly. These two were in overwhelming grief, especially the former. Similarly if your life patterns after the apostate Jewish priesthood, then is the grief in heaven great, while Christendom's bosom also suffers pangs.
(3) "Mary the wife of Cleophas" typifies your own soul (wife) which shall be in grief ("Mary") if married it has been to stealth and thievery in the matters of Christ your Lord. ("Will a man rob God?" – Mal. 3:8-10) Do you render unto the Lord His dues in substance, in time and in service?
Have you too been cleansed from all your sins and folly like unto (4) Mary Magdalene ("out of whom went seven devils"), thereby becoming a citizen of heaven ("Magdala" the `high watchtower'), yet to stand in grief and sorrow ("Mary") beholding the suffering and death of God's perfect temple of flesh?
Such is the lot of those who are piloted by carnal reason and inspired by the "god of this world" after they have been cleansed!
The Shepherdsfield Update #14