August 15. Heavenly Messengers

"Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus." Matthew 17:3 These two heavenly messengers were conversing with Jesus; they were talking with Him about His death. Several thoughts are suggested by this. One is, that the death of Jesus was part of the divine plan. It was no disaster, no defeat. It was understood in Heaven — that He was to die on a cross. Another thought is, that Moses and Elijah had been sent to talk with Jesus, as He was now about to turn His face toward Jerusalem, that they might strengthen Him for the sad journey and for the bitter sorrows at the end of it. Before Jesus went to the wilderness, there was a vision of glory, and a voice spoke, uttering the divine approval, to strengthen Him to endure His temptation. Now again, when He is setting out for His cross, there is a vision and a voice, to prepare Him for the darkness and the agony. In these heavenly visits, we have a hint of the employment of the redeemed in Heaven. These two men are sent all the way to earth to comfort and cheer a weary spirit in its mission of suffering. May it not be, that all the saved shall thus be employed in glory? It is delightful to think that we shall be sent from world to world on errands of love. The idea that in Heaven we shall do nothing forever but rest on green banks and sing praises to God, receives no encouragement in the Scriptures. We are to be like Christ; and He is never idle — but ever busy in loving service. We shall be as the angels; and they are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation. "His servants shall serve him" is one description of the employments of Heaven. It will still be nobler there to minister — than to be ministered unto. They will still be chief there — who serve. Our poor work here — is only a training for work in Heaven and forever.