LEARN OF ME by Frank Hope

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 17, 1888

“LEARN OF ME.”

By Frank Hope

THE religion of Jesus Christ is not all poetry, neither does true piety evaporate in mere sentimental gush; it means work, hard work. Christ says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me.” The yoke is an emblem of work. When a pair of oxen are yoked up they have a pretty good understanding that some solid, steady work is required of them. The Romans made their war-prisoners pass under the yoke, to show that they had become their slaves. This is what Paul regarded himself when he accepted this yoke of Christ—“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ.” Not only this, but he became a slave to every man for Jesus’ sake. Says he, “I made myself a servant unto all.” “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” And when Paul says he was a debtor he means he was their slave; and this is the position that every true Christian ought to take. A slave to those who know not Jesus.

“Learn of me.” Jesus was a worker, he did more work in a given time than any man on the earth. He went about doing good. Travel-stained and dusty, weary and footsore, he went from city to city preaching the glad tidings of salvation, and healing all those who were sick; occasionally taking a few moments’ rest during the heat of the day, in such welcome places as Jacob’s well, other times vainly seeking solitude in the lonely mountains. Even during the watches of the night his retirement was disturbed by some anxious questioner, or the burden of his work was so heavy upon him that he would spend the entire night in prayer, and at the dawning of day again commence his arduous labors. Surely the Son of man had not where to lay his head. Badgered by scribes and Pharisees, worried by curious questioners, and beset by crowds of sufferers, he was under a continual strain of work for fallen man. And shall those who claim to be his followers stand by and merely desire to feel happy and have a good time. The question is, “What are we doing for Jesus?” There’s a battle to be fought, souls to be saved, the down-hearted to comfort, and the fallen to raise. Then let us learn of our poor weary Saviour, and take up our cross and follow him.

Another lesson that we learn of Jesus is obedience. Love caused him to keep the law. Says he, “I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” And those who wish to have the love of Jesus must also keep the commandments. Says he, “If ye love me, keep my commandments,” for “if ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.” And the great apostle of love tells us that “this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” And when people claim wonderful love for Jesus and are all the time knowingly breaking his law, we know that whatever they are, they are not Bible Christians, and that the ultra sanctification and holiness that places them above obedience to the requirements of God must be a deception of the devil. FRANK HOPE.