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A WELCOME FOR JESUS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 25, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 39.

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A WELCOME FOR JESUS.

By Uriah Smith

“And it came to pass, that when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him; for they were all waiting for him.” Luke 8:40. Much of the principle which actuated Jesus in reference to his relation to the people may be gathered from such incidents as the one here mentioned. Jesus had visited the country of the Gadarenes. They were a worldly, gain-loving people. To the working of Jesus for the higher interests of humanity, they paid but little attention, unless it interfered with their sordid ideas of pecuniary gain; and then, only to protest against it. He had wrought one notable miracle among them to show them his power and the nature of the work in which he was engaged; but that drew forth no expression of gratitude and thankfulness from them. The miracle had been wrought because his help was sought by one in need. A man had been relieved from the power and possession of the devil. This shows that his ear is ever open to the cry of the needy, however few in number and lowly in station; but this did not stir the people.
But soon the miracle showed another phase. The devils evicted from the man, sought that they might not be sent forth into the deep, but that they might be permitted to enter a herd of swine feeding near by; and permission was given them. Then the swine, rather than submit themselves to the evils of spiritual mediumship, rushed down the declivity, and strangled themselves in the waters. And now the owners of the swine had lost some property. This they could not endure, hence they besought him at once to depart out of their coasts. He granted their request, and returned to the country that he had left to visit them. This shows that he will not force his attentions nor services upon any one against that person’s will. Man himself is allowed to decide what he will receive. And if he does not desire help, he is suffered to go without it. But not all the people were like the Gadarenes. The man who had been healed published abroad the story of his cure, and the people were rejoiced at the Lord’s gracious and benevolent work. They were therefore all ready for him when he returned, and welcomed him gladly.
He is just as ready to meet with his people now as he was then, whenever we will open the way in the same manner.
“They were all ready for him.” The Lord wishes unity and concert of action on the part of the people, if they desire him to visit them. But this can come only from the Holy Spirit’s action; and he imparts that Spirit. To feelings of his own prompting, he must respond. He can not deny himself.
A praying company, an earnest church waiting for a revival of the Lord’s work among them, will be ready to engage in the work themselves, thus co-operating with the Lord, and being, as the apostle says, co-workers with him. Those who do not desire the presence of the Lord, would not be ready for him if he should come.
An instructed church, knowing the time, and awake to the events at present occurring in the world, as delineated in prophecy, looking and waiting for his second advent, will be ready for him, and ready to welcome him gladly. For the salvation of such he will appear. “To them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” And to such he comes at the present time, in the sense he has promised. His Spirit is already in the midst of a waiting church, causing them to long for his presence. His heart is with them, longing to bless them. And there is his work; for having brought them into this waiting position, where he has an opportunity to display his wonderful grace, which he is ever waiting to manifest, will he not do it? His promise is there also: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
A congregation, however much they may feel and acknowledge the need of a revival of the work of the Lord in their midst, can not be said to be “waiting” for him, unless all are alert, prompt, and punctual; unless they have come with a purpose and design to meet him, which implies expectancy; unless they are resolved to accept whatever he may show them, which implies a spirit of willingness and obedience. With such a people the Lord will delight to meet.
The command is, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” When the inhabitants of Mentone, Savoy, desired a visit from their prince, they set out to prepare a way for him. They made a road over the mountains; hills were tunneled; valleys were filled up; rivers were bridged; rough places were made smooth, and crooked places straight. Thus they prepared the way, making everything as easy and pleasant for him as possible, and doing those things which would show their friendship, loyalty, and welcome to him. Thus, “if we would welcome the Lord Jesus, we must make a road for him, by abasing our pride, elevating our thoughts, removing our evil habits, and preparing our hearts. Never did a soul cast up a highway for the Lord, and then fail to enjoy his company.”—Spurgeon. And if men will do for an earthly prince what the inhabitants of Mentone did, can we do less, in our sphere, for him who is not only a lordly prince, an honored guest, but also our wisdom, sanctification, and redemption?
The Lord desires and designs to do a great work in the earth in the last days; and his people must be willing in the day of his power. But we are living in a time when it is the duty of the church to be looking for him in a different sense from spiritual experiences alone in this mortal state; even to be looking for his personal and glorious return to this earth, in victorious majesty and power, to bring to its wondrous climax his work of redemption. It is not our waiting that will bring him; he is coming whether we are waiting or not, whether we are ready or not. But if we are waiting, it will make a vast difference with us; for, says Paul, “Unto them that look for him, shall he appear the second time, without sin unto salvation.”
“They received him gladly,” says our record. How will it be with us when this future coming takes place? Are we in a condition to receive him gladly? What reason we shall have to do it! Think of all the changes that that coming will bring, all the scenes that it will end, and all that it will begin. Everything that is distressing, and unpleasant, and evil to the righteous, there ends; and everything that is new, and joyous, and happy in life, there begins. “Behold I make all things new.”
And these elements of hope and good cheer are for all the future. To be looking for him, to be all ready for him, gives us a title to it all. Is this present state so full of good, are its circumstances and surroundings so satisfying, that we would not gladly exchange them for the things that are promised? Prayers have emphasized the glories of the change, songs have sounded its charms, praises have declared its satisfying anticipations. Truly, every child of God will gladly receive him.
“Joy to the world, the Lord will come, Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing.” U. S.