"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:24.)
Birmingham: W. Walters, 26, Islington Row. Birmingham Leaflets — No. 5.
It is an affecting thing to one's heart to see how little really that which is so much in His heart is in ours, i.e., what remains: He has finished everything, accomplished everything, glorified His Father in everything, and only one thing remains, and that is, to have us with Himself; "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am;" because you know it is one of the distinct characteristics of love, love never tolerates absence; it may bear it, and have to endure it, but it is impatient of it; and therefore when you look at Him, how blessed to know it, because I believe it is the spring which creates a kindred affection in our hearts when the fact is grasped, that He longs to have us to be for ever with Himself. Do we believe that, beloved? do we believe that there is that one (shall I say it with reverence) unsatisfied yearning in the heart of Christ, to have the people of His love with Him? "I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory." How much is it in ours; how much is there of that longing of heart with us, that divine affection in our souls, that we long to be with Him? We have Him with us now; of course that is blessedly true, as we walk through the world, this poor scene of death; we cannot get on without Him, but to be with Him, and to be like Him when we see Him, how much is that before us? I shall see Him, see that blessed face which was more marred than any man's — see Him as He is, not as He was. I shall see Him as He is, but I shall be like Him when I see Him, and shall be with Him, and that is what He waits for; that is the longing of His soul, the yearning of His heart at this present moment. He cheers us along the waste with the sustainment of His presence, and the comfort of His love; but the thing that is in Christ's affection, with respect to us, is, He wants to have us with Himself.
How wonderful to think of it! There is one thing that remains, "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am." It is the one thing that remains: He owes one service to His Father and God, and He owes it to us, the people of His love, and He will perform it.
May our hearts be on the look-out with the expectancy of hope, for His name's sake. W. T. T.
He comes — for, oh; His yearning heart
No more can bear delay —
To scenes of full unmingled joy
To call His Bride away.
This earth, the scene of all His woe,
A homeless wild to thee,
Full soon upon His heavenly throne,
Its rightful King shall see.
Thou, too, shall reign —He will not wear
His crown of joy alone!
And earth His royal Bride shall see
Beside Him on the throne.
Then weep no more — 'Tis all thine own —
His crown, His joy divine,
And, sweeter far than all beside,
He, He Himself is thine.