The Pilgrim Path---Matthew 16: 24, 25

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

“…FOR MY SAKE WILL FIND IT”

An elderly woman in the first church I served is hard to forget. I’ll call her Ms. “D.” She had been a widow for a long time when I became her pastor. She never had children of her own---but she taught school for about 40 years---and the children of many souls---were her “loves.” When her failing health separated her from her home, it was grievous. I think most of us can begin to feel the pain of such a change. Or---we ought to have to imagine it? So many must endure it all around us. Well, Ms. D. had to go into extended care---in a completely different town. The only relative she had left was a nephew. A godly fellow but pushed to the limits in a veterinarian’s practice. This background to tell you: she did not get near the number of visitors she wanted---AND, she did NOT want to be in extended care. She asked me a few times “why” the LORD had treated her so poorly---and “why” she had to endure this place?

No doubt as a minister, I have often been a “poor” counselor. I would listen to my dear mother in the faith, Ms. D. I would read her fine texts of Scripture on the faithfulness and love of God. I would pray with her. I would remind her of the goodness of the LORD Jesus to her---even in the place where she was currently living. It stands out in my mind that she died in that facility---quite bothered at the LORD and HIS choices for her. She could never be reconciled with what HE had arranged for the last phase of her life. A pleasant Christian---was not particularly pleasant anymore. I contrast her with another lady in the same church. Ms. H.--- She had been teaching Ladies Sunday School for around 51 years when I arrived. A marvel in her own right. She had been through some devastating times in her family---and had leaned on Jesus Christ “all” the way through. She had seen the old family home place burned to the ground. She was in a terrible traffic accident (she was driving)---where she survived, but her precious sister died at the scene. She knew what it was to be “tried as gold” (Job 23: 10). Faith must be tried---and we must trust HIM in all things---in order to grow. This is something of what it means for the Believer, “to take up his cross.” Ms. H. told me on more than one occasion, “I don’t ask why?” You know you are in the presence of a godly soul---because I had seen she meant it…

Ms. H. reminded me of Corrie ten Boom saying, “I don’t give the orders---I just report for duty.” My---my…Forgive me LORD. Sometimes I just have trouble doing that…little faith. Forgive me for Jesus’ sake. Spurgeon said: a little faith will take your soul to heaven---and great faith will bring heaven to your soul! Oh---Ms. H. knew how many “steps” it was to her mailbox---her new house was out in the middle of a cotton field. The mailbox was a long way from the road (over 400 steps---one direction). On several occasions--- I walked up on her playing the piano in her living room. She could really “get after it” on that studio piano. The song she was most often playing: When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder.

HYMN:

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,

And the glory of his resurrection share;

When his chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,

And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,

Let us talk of all his wondrous love and care;

Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,

And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

When the roll is called up yonder,

When the roll is called up yonder,

When the roll is called up yonder,

When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.

James M. Black, 1856 – 1938

From Thomas Manton: Our will is the proudest enemy Christ has on this side of hell, and the cause of all the mischief that befalls us. The greatest contest between God and us is whose will shall stand: God’s will, or ours?

As you celebrate Memorial Day---remember that American Military personnel have given their lives to preserve the manifold freedoms we enjoy as citizens. The rights we know in this Republic---even those that are neglected and abused, have been purchased at great price. Never take this lightly. Many military families are separated now---that we may rest. The LORD Keep them All---and give them access to Chaplains who serve and love Jesus Christ. Amen.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason