Morning, September 10
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Mark 3:13
"And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would:
and they came unto him."
Mark 3:13
Here was sovereignty. Impatient spirits may fret and fume, because they
are not called to the highest places in the ministry; but reader be it
thine to rejoice that Jesus calleth whom he wills. If he shall leave me
to be a doorkeeper in his house, I will cheerfully bless him for his
grace in permitting me to do anything in his service. The call of
Christ's servants comes from above. Jesus stands on the mountain,
evermore above the world in holiness, earnestness, love and power.
Those whom he calls must go up the mountain to him, they must seek to
rise to his level by living in constant communion with him. They may
not be able to mount to classic honours, or attain scholastic eminence,
but they must like Moses go up into the mount of God and have familiar
intercourse with the unseen God, or they will never be fitted to
proclaim the gospel of peace. Jesus went apart to hold high fellowship
with the Father, and we must enter into the same divine companionship
if we would bless our fellowmen. No wonder that the apostles were
clothed with power when they came down fresh from the mountain where
Jesus was. This morning we must endeavour to ascend the mount of
communion, that there we may be ordained to the lifework for which we
are set apart. Let us not see the face of man today till we have seen
Jesus. Time spent with him is laid out at blessed interest. We too
shall cast out devils and work wonders if we go down into the world
girded with that divine energy which Christ alone can give. It is of no
use going to the Lord's battle till we are armed with heavenly weapons.
We must see Jesus, this is essential. At the mercy-seat we will linger
till he shall manifest himself unto us as he doth not unto the world,
and until we can truthfully say, "We were with him in the Holy Mount."