He cried out from the fires of agony, His sweat pouring from Him for all the world like drops of blood, but the chosen on whose behalf He cried were lying asleep behind Him. He had no illusions. He fully realised that they represented the whole vast company of people, who, oblivious as they, would be for ever unaware. Yet neither their sleep nor their inability to watch with Him through one dark hour embittered His soul; He loved them. He had always known that when He reached the last terrible ordeal now lying so close just ahead of Him, He would be out on His own. He knew that in the final event no-one would be with Him, not even God.
That had been perfectly understood between Father and He from the beginning. Long ago in eternity past He had agreed to it before ever He undertook to be made a man. So desire it as He may, He did not really expect men to stay with Him; why, even God was going to forsake Him. Peter, James and John, who had been chosen by Him to become future pillars of His Church, completely failed Him; they were a disappointment to Him, but He felt no bitterness. All He sought of them was human love and companionship while He committed Himself afresh to His Father's will, that was all. But it was not to be. And so to crucifixion.
Be the first to react on this!
G.W. North (1913 - 2003)
G. W. North was born in London England in 1913. As a young man he became aware that the Lord was calling him into the work of the ministry. At timely stages the Lord placed folk in his path who were able to direct him into the truth of heart purity and a more expansive understanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He held pastorates in Kent and Bradford. By the late 1960s, following a significant period of ministry in Liverpool, he began a more itinerant ministry. This led him to many parts of the world, and occupied him until well into his eighties. His powerful preaching and the unique sense of the Lord's presence, which seemed to brood over his meetings, were always intensely challenging.The true secret of his remarkable ministry stemmed from his personal communion with the Lord Jesus. To him, 'entering the holiest' was not merely a theological concept; it was a distinct spiritual reality - and the central feature of his spiritual life. It was here, in the place of worship, that his revelatory ministry found its source. He preached from understanding and conviction. He was never the echo of another, nor did he take on board the ebb and flow of various contemporary emphases. He was not a man of 'books'; he soaked himself in Scripture and allowed it to saturate his heart and mind. Truly, this is a man who has lifted up a standard for the people. Mr North went to be with the Lord on 29th April 2003, shortly after his ninetieth birthday.