Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with His disciples. John 11:54
The preachers obtained permission to hold Gospel meetings in the little country schoolhouse in West New Annan, although the permission was given grudgingly. From the beginning of those meetings, it was obvious that the folks in the neighbourhood were not going to attend. None of them responded favourably when invitations were handed out, and none of them came to any of those meetings. Obviously organized by the community leaders, they were smug in their church affiliation and resentful of the perceived intruders and their Gospel preaching, and they unitedly showed nothing but cold shoulder. Our family was the only one in the entire community to attend. We were rather surprised because, the year before, in nearby Millbrook, everybody in the entire community made it out to at least one of the Gospel meetings held in their schoolhouse. As far as I know, there has been no Gospel stir in West New Annan since. When people shun and reject the Gospel, God often takes them at their word.
Our text speaks of Jesus’ response to the animosity of the Jewish leaders. Those spiteful vengeful men had not only rejected the Messiah, but they did all they could to make sure nobody else had an opportunity to accept Him. No doubt there are those in hell who are cursing the Jewish leaders for preventing them from meeting the Saviour, just as there will be those in hell who will curse the community leaders in West New Annan for rejecting the Gospel. What an awful judgment those folks are facing!
Every time we hold a Gospel meeting, we can appreciate those who come, but we should also mourn over those who don’t come. We realize there are two purposes for Gospel meetings: to give sinners an opportunity to hear the Gospel, and to give rejecters an opportunity to seal their condemnation. We don’t like to think of that aspect of it, but sadly, it’s true that those who turn away from the Lord Jesus will themselves be rejected by Him. This makes us appreciate all the more those folks who persevered with us when we were less than interested in the Gospel. It also makes us appreciate the patience of the Holy Spirit, in ever taking an interest in us and in striving with us.
The Gospel has a joyful side for believers and a tragic side for rejecters. Let us give thanks for the joy and pray for the ones who are still outside. -Jim MacIntosh