Spurgeon: March AM
* 03/21/AM
"Ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me
alone."
--John 16:32
Few had fellowship with the sorrows of Gethsemane. The
majority of the disciples were not sufficiently advanced in
grace to be admitted to behold the mysteries of "the agony."
Occupied with the passover feast at their own houses, they
represent the many who live upon the letter, but are mere babes
as to the spirit of the gospel. To twelve, nay, to eleven only
was the privilege given to enter Gethsemane and see "this great
sight." Out of the eleven, eight were left at a distance; they
had fellowship, but not of that intimate sort to which men
greatly beloved are admitted. Only three highly favoured ones
could approach the veil of our Lord's mysterious sorrow: within
that veil even these must not intrude; a stone's-cast distance
must be left between. He must tread the wine-press alone , and
of the people there must be none with Him. Peter and the two
sons of Zebedee, represent the few eminent, experienced saints,
who may be written down as "Fathers;" these having done business
on great waters, can in some degree measure the huge Atlantic
waves of their Redeemer's passion. To some selected spirits it
is given, for the good of others, and to strengthen them for
future, special, and tremendous conflict, to enter the inner
circle and hear the pleadings of the suffering High Priest; they
have fellowship with Him in his sufferings, and are made
conformable unto His death. Yet even these cannot penetrate the
secret places of the Saviour's woe. "Thine unknown sufferings"
is the remarkable expression of the Greek liturgy: there was an
inner chamber in our Master's grief, shut out from human
knowledge and fellowship. There Jesus is " left alone ." Here
Jesus was more than ever an "Unspeakable gift!" Is not Watts
right when he sings--
"And all the unknown joys he gives,
Were bought with agonies unknown."