COMPANIONS OF CHRIST
‘They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.’
The first outbreak of enmity against the disciples, and on their trial men recognised that they had been with Jesus.
I. We must be with Jesus if we would bear a good testimony for Him:—
(a) In the presence of the world. To have heard of Him is not enough; we must be with Him.
(b) In our own hearts, where we form our designs. Unless we are with Jesus there will be no Christ in thoughts, words, actions.
(c) In the presence of sorrow. Here, above all, man requires His Saviour’s presence. A real walking with God will alone render a man master of sorrow.
(d) In prosperity. Successes are enemies in disguise. ‘All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.’ How shall the man of wealth render testimony to His Lord? Only by being with Jesus.
(e) In the presence of death. If we would meet death fearless and in humble assurance of life beyond, we must have been with Jesus during our lives here.
II. One more testimony, not by but of men. At the Judgment Day who will escape the wrath of the Judge? Those of whom angels and men take knowledge that they have been with Jesus.
Dean Alford.
Illustration
‘Let no one be ashamed to confess his faith; and when that faith is evil spoken of, let us act so that the world must take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus. There is a story often told that on one occasion one of the bravest generals of Frederic the Great declined the king’s invitation to dinner because he was going to receive the Blessed Sacrament. The next time he was present at the royal table, the king and his guests mocked at the Holy Eucharist, and at the scruples of the general. The old man rose, saluted the king, who was no man to be trifled with, and told him that there was yet a greater King than Frederic, and “that he never allowed that Holy One to be insulted in his presence.” The courtiers looked on in astonishment, but the king clasped the hand of his servant, and expressed his sorrow that he could not believe as firmly and declare his faith as fearlessly.’