Rutherford died near the end of March 1661. But he did not die without leaving one final exhortation for those who were gathered around his bedside. It was the same message that had consumed him in life that also consumed him in death--the loveliness of Christ: "He is the cheife of ten thousands of ten thousands! None [is] comparable to him, in heaven or in earth. Dear bretheren, doe all for Him; pray for Christ, preach for Christ, feed the flock committed to your charge for Christ, doe all for Christ. Bewarr of men-pleasing, ther is too much of it amongst us."
What can we learn from his final words?
Beloved brethren, hear the charge of a dying servant of Christ, whose final breath echoed the cry of his life: Fix our eyes on the Loveliness of Christ! For He is the Rose of Sharon, the Bright and Morning Star, the Chief among ten thousand—no treasure in heaven or earth rivals Him. Let this truth pierce our hearts and set our souls aflame!
Do all for Him! When we kneel in prayer, let it be for Christ. When we open the Scriptures to preach, let it be for Christ. When we shepherd the flock entrusted to us, labor not for acclaim or ease, but for Christ. Let His glory be the compass of our ministry, the fire in our bones, the song on our lips. Beware the snare of men-pleasing, for it is a hollow idol that withers souls and silences truth. Too many have traded the approval of Heaven for the fleeting whispers of men—do not number among them!
Remember: Christ’s worth is infinite, His love unshakable, His claim upon our life supreme. Let no trial, no fear, no earthly crown distract us from His surpassing beauty. Live as Rutherford died—with Christ’s name on our tongue, His joy in our heart, and His glory as our crown.
Go now, dear brothers and sisters, and be consumed by Christ as he was. For in Him alone is life, purpose, and a reward that will outshine every sacrifice. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment