The Lord as Communicator

Friends are able to recognize that Jesus, indeed, is communicating with us in such a magnificent manner that we not only hear Him but, perhaps more important, obey Him as He speaks.

Small wonder that we discern that this same Christ Jesus who affords us such love and understanding as our everlasting prophet communicated with such vigor to the Biblical servants recorded in the Old Testament in addition to his Friends to whom He ministered directly.  That is why this Son of God asked His disciples who they felt He is/was.  And because they were under the power of God, these disciples declared that He is the living Christ who came to lead them to God's Kingdom.

But when Jesus admonished His followers with the fact that although He was with them in spirit, He would leave them physically to return to His Father, Peter objected.  Peter desired that our Loving Lord remain with them physically.  He did not understand that Jesus would continue to guide them after His crucifixion and resurrection.  And indeed He is with us now when we are able to submit to His Lordship.

Fortunately George Fox and other early Friends heard Jesus speak to them directly.  While
resisting the evil forces of his generation, George Fox heard the declaration that there was one, Christ Jesus, who could speak to their condition.  And indeed our Savior did speak to them as Lord of their lives.  That is why early Friends were able to understand the true meaning of the Scriptures of Truth and eventually God, instructed these Friends to wait on the Lord before they established spiritual gatherings that would and did the divine work assigned to them.  So long as Friends were able to hear and obey, they were able to communicate God's words of love and instructions.

We have heard many of the same words that pervaded the ministry of early Friends.  We, as a result, are willing to be gathered by the Lord to bring His love to all people.  Some of us are determined to visit meetings as well as some Friend's Churches to encourage them to hear the Lord ministering to His people.  This is how the everlasting Gospel can be revealed to obedient folks who wish to serve God.

Some older Friends, recognizing their physical limitations, are able, nonetheless, to encourage the somewhat younger Friends to travel in the ministry.  But we caution our Friends to wait on the Lord for Him to reveal His presence.  We need our Lord to enunciate Truth before we can reveal Christ's everlasting Truth.

Ohio Yearly Meeting Friends when we gather hear Christ promulgating His love for humankind.  But that message is not just for us; it is for His creation.  We are not an isolated sect but at our most potent a communicator of Christ's everlasting words.  In our faithfulness, we promulgate Truth wherever we go.

Arthur Berk
07-13-2011