February 3: A JEWEL FROM THE SANCTUARY
“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is also unjust in much.” Luke 16:10
Having been ordained to ministry in the church of England, John Wesley lacked peace. Through personal Bible study, he sought to gain a clearer understanding of faith. Having been taught and trained to depend upon his own good works for salvation, the contrast with Biblical truth was eye-opening! Joyfully, he entered into a lively faith, trusting wholly in the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29) Now, good works flowed forth from the wellspring of life!
An aspect of Christianity that became very dear to his heart was that of witnessing. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 15:16) The disciples of Jesus were taught and trained to tell the world of Him, under the tutelage of the Great Teacher Himself. Faithfully, John Wesley (and his brother Charles) accepted the call to share the glad tidings of the Savior’s love! The purposeful focus on witnessing to the Light of Life rendered good works that spilled over to others. Jesus said of Himself, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) —and “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). In essence, the Wesleys initiated a restoration of the golden seven-branch candlestick of the sanctuary through obedience to this heavenly call.
Sadly, the Wesleys were ridiculed by other Christians for the belief in personal responsibility to witness and also for such statements as this regarding God’s law: “There is perfect harmony between the law & the gospel…the closest connection that can be conceived. On the one hand, the law continually makes way for, and points us to, the gospel; on the other, the gospel leads us to a more exact fulfilling of the law. We lay hold of these glad tidings, and it is done according to our faith: the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
Beloved, the discovery of a jewel in the word of God is something to celebrate and share. Remaining steadfast to the Holy Spirit’s revelation and call in the face of ridicule, or even the threat of death, is what it will take as God’s people faithfully hand out priceless gems to anyone willing to receive them.
Just as there were those in the jeering crowd at the crucifixion of Jesus who later gave their hearts to Him, John Wesley and others like him (whose names God knows), held to the faith, knowing that among those who ridiculed and threatened were future citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Let us be about our Father’s business of handing out jewels, for we look forward to the fulfillment of John’s heavenly vision: a great multitude which no one could number… (Revelation 7:9).
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” Matthew 25:21 (& 23)