September 24

As our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

2 PETER i. 14.

Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. — JOHN xiii. 36.

THE Master was ending his mission and passing to the grave. The disciple could not foresee the path through suffering and death to glory, and asking “whither” his Lord was going, desired to follow. The nature and extent of following Christ require tuition and experience, which alone fortify us with grace and strength to follow him closely in the full spirit and conditions of his life. Peter thought he was ready to do this at once; the Lord said, “Not now, but afterwards.” Dearly, richly learned he what that meant, when he wrote, “Christ suffered for us, leaving an example that we should follow his steps; that we being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness.”

“Not now;” the path of vicarious suffering Christ must tread alone. We cannot follow him there.

“Afterwards;” since his bleeding, blessed feet have passed up to the crown heights of God, we may and must follow, not asking “whither,” or halting before the presence of suffering, or blanched by fear of enemies, but counting it joy to suffer in his behalf; through good or through evil report, to plant our feet in his own footprints, let them lead us where they will.

Once his disciple, ever “afterwards” follow in life, in death; then “afterwards” in the paths of glory, you shall “follow the Lamb whithersoever he leads.”

Thy way, not mine, O Lord, However dark it be! Lead me by thine own hand; Choose out the path for me.

H. BONAR