“We are told in the gospel to come to Jesus, to believe on Jesus, to live the life of faith in Jesus. We are encouraged to lean on Him, to cast all our care on Him, to repose all the weight of our souls on Him. We may do so without fear. He can bear all. He is a strong rock. He is almighty. It was a fine saying of an old saint, ‘My faith can sleep sound on no other pillow than Christ’s omnipotence.’ He can give life to the dead. He can give power to the weak. He can ‘increase strength to those who have no might’. Let us trust Him, and not be afraid. The world is full of snares. Our hearts are weak. But with Jesus nothing is impossible”. J.C. Ryle (Day by day with J.C.Ryle)
This sharing by brother Ryle is so relevant to us as we ponder over the end-times and the persecutions that await many of God’s people. The book of Hebrews reminds us not to turn back but to run the race, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith and to finish the race, with Him and with the urgings of the cloud of witnesses around us.
The following quotation from Robert Anderson’s “Early Christians in Rome” is so very helpful for us to ponder as we may face the same persecutions and sufferings they went through as believers. It crystallises what it means to go through life as true Christians and not merely as those who happen to be in an institution like the visible church.
“The catacombs are full of Christ. It was to Him that the Christians of the age of persecution ever turned: it was on Him they rested – in gladness and in sorrow; in sickness and in health; in the days of danger – and these were sadly numerous in the first two centuries and a half – and in the hour of death. It was from His words they drew their strength. In the consciousness of His ever-presence in their midst, they gladly suffered for His sake. With His name on their lips they died fearlessly, joyfully passing into the Valley of the veiled Shadow. On the tablet of marble or plaster which closed up the narrow shelf in the catacomb corridor where their poor remains were reverently, lovingly laid, the dear name of Jesus was often painted or carved.”(Types in Hebrews by Sir Robert Anderson page 140)
It reminds us that CHRISTIANITY IS CHRIST. If we claim to be Christians, we must learn this well and experience it deeply in our lives. It is this reality that will help us go through this broken world fearlessly, with faith, looking to the pioneer and author of our faith, who not only opens the way for us to know the triune God and salvation but will complete it for us, provided we continue to look unto Him. The book of Hebrews clearly reminds believers, in fact warns believers not to turn their back on Jesus Christ and the gospel, for His supremacy is undisputed; He is greater than Moses, the angels, better than the old covenant, better than the Aaronic high priest; the final and supreme sacrifice, the Son, God Himself who sits next to the majesty on high, who intercedes for us and will come again to bring us into His kingdom, the new heaven and the new earth.
His being, His love, His intercession, His completed work of salvation, His mercy and grace will bring us home (Refer to Chapters 1,2 and 3 in particular).