The Lord’s Prayer

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These are pathetic words as coming from the Savior. The hour had come, and His human nature quailed before the horror of terror of torture and death. A call to His Father for help would bring Him more than twelve legions of angels. Matthew 26:53. However, was it not for this very purpose that He had come to the world? No, He could not ask to be saved from the agonizing test. But the very fact that He thought of it, reveals His humanity.

Only for a moment did Christ hesitate. Resolutely His faith asserted itself. He would go forward. He would glorify God. In addition, souls would be saved. He looked to heaven and said, “Father, glorify Thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” John 12; 28. God had glorified Him in His work on earth, which was to culminate in His death, and would glorify Him again in raising Him from the dead.

Christ’s decision was made. He would willingly fulfill His part of the covenant made in heaven. God would not fail Him, but stand by Him. He had just received confirmation that God had glorified and would glorify Him. The prophet of old had asked the question, “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, , or the lawful captive delivered?” Isaiah 49:24. In addition, the answer had come: “The captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered.” Verse 25. God’s promise was sure: “

The Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Isaiah 50:7. With these promises in mind, Christ confidently announced, “Now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” John 12:31.

When Christ said this, He knew what the cost would be. He would have to enter the prison house of death. However, He was ready. He had the keys that would free him and the captives. Some think that it was no struggle for Christ to engage Satan in battle, even to the death. Did not Christ know that He would come out victorious? Had He not in heaven measured the cost? Why was not all, then, clear?

We have mentioned before that in heaven He and the Father had counted every step and knew the cost. However, it was necessary for Christ to go over the ground again and as man decide what He would do. Even if He were willing to go on with the plan, was He assured of success? Could human nature endure the trial? Should He ask the Father to spare Him from the approaching hour? The fact that He mentioned it at all reveals His inner struggle. He need not have revealed to man that there was any struggle at all. When He does reveal it, He does it for, giving us an insight into the deepest recesses of His mind, that we might understand that the cost made Him tremble, that He knew the tremendous battle He must wage, and that in full knowledge of the cost He made His decision. Let no one think that Christ was not tempted.

The prayer, “Thy kingdom come,” has been called a glorious prayer of infinite scope. The Jews were much interested in the coming of the kingdom and incorporated petitions for its coming into their common prayers. Some of the rabbis held that any prayer that did not mention the kingdom was no prayer at all.

For the Christian this prayer for the kingdom is of the deepest significance, particularly for those living at this time in the history of this world. The prayer for the establishment of the kingdom of God embraces the incarnation of Christ and His life in humanity, the temptation un the wilderness, Gethsemane and Golgotha, the resurrection and judgment, the destruction of Satan and his kingdom, and the new creation. It is a prayer that God’s plan of salvation may come to fruition that there might be an end of sin, and that righteousness might reign.

The prayer also contemplates the preparation of the saints for participation in the kingdom to come. In coming to this world, Christ did His part of the work in destroying the power of the devil. He is now preparing a place for His redeemed in the world to come. However, He left a wok for us to do in preparing men for citizenship in the new kingdom. He will help us in this, but we have a definite responsibility and important decisions to make. No one can do this for us.

On one occasion, the Pharisees asked Christ when the kingdom of God should come. Luke 17:20. The question was probably prompted by the fact that while Jesus preached much about the kingdom, He made no practical provision for its organization. The first requirements would be a reasonably large following and the selection of a few capable men of experience to compose the nucleus of the governing body. Christ had none of these. The few that followed Him were of the common people, and the disciples were unlearned, inexperienced men. No kingdom could ever be established on such a foundation. In contempt the Pharisees had asked, “Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on Him?” John 7:48. They were certain that Christ could not establish a kingdom without them, but thus far, He had not made any approach to them or asked them for help. Evidently, they were to be left out. Therefore, to confuse Him they asked when the kingdom should come. Christ answered them and said, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20,21.    

Christ here emphasized the truth that numbers alone are not a safe criterion of success. Mohammed quickly recruited millions of followers. So did Buddha, and so have apostate churches. The time will come when the entire world will wonder after the beast. See Revelation 13:3. Numbers are no evidence of success. In contrast with this, Christ spoke of His church as the little flock. “Fear not, little flock,” He said, “for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32.

It is not safe to count outward prosperity as a sign of God’s approval or blessing. We rightly rejoice when we see God’s cause prosper and read of the many accessions to the church. However, God is not impressed by statistics. We should be careful lest we number Israel and prove by means of arithmetic that God is with us. “There is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6. If Christ were on earth now and His work were evaluated by the converts He had at the time of His death, some question might be raised about His success.

Figures measure outward growth, but God looks to the heart. The visible church can be numbered, but the figures do not correspond with the books of heaven. There are many on the church roll that God does not include in His church, and there are many that God includes whose names are not on our books. However, it will not always be thus. Jesus said, “Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: unto them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” John 10:16. At that time, the books in heaven and the books on earth will agree. Happy day! We shall see eternal values as God sees them.

“The kingdom of God is within you.” “The Lord seeth not as a man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7. It is not numbers, riches, fame, learning, or worldly attainments that interest God. “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool,” He said. Isaiah 66:1. Material things do not count with God, “for all those things Mine hand made.” Verse 2.

He then raised the question, “Where is the place of My rest?” and answered it: “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word.” Verses 1,2. God inhabits eternity; He dwells “in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” Isaiah 57:15.

 

Christ’s Longings

From these statements, we gather that material things do not impress God, “for all those things hath Mine hand made.” He made the heavens with all their glory and beauty, and He inhabits eternity. Yet He longs for something which man can only supply – the love of a pure redeemed soul.

Christ felt this longing on earth. “The loneliness of Christ, separated from the heavenly courts, living the life of humanity, was never understood or appreciated by the disciples as it should have been. He was often grieved because His disciples did not give Him that which He should have received from them.” A vivid illustration of Christ’s hunger for the love of man is revealed in the question He asked Peter, repeated three times: “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?” John 21:17. This was after the resurrection. Christ could have gone to heaven and there received the worship and adoration of the heavenly host. This would have been wonderful, but not enough. “He longed for human tenderness, courtesy, and affection.” This the angels could not give, for they had not been permitted to follow Him in His humiliation. Hear these wonderful words: “If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.” John 14:23. And to the last church Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20. Let us open the door.

The prayer that the kingdom come will not be fully answered until we reach the earth made new. This prayer brings to us the responsibility to do all in our power to help bring about its fulfillment. We have a definite work to do, for the gospel of the kingdom must be preached in the entire world before the end can come. These two things, therefore, we must do: preach the gospel, and prepare ourselves for that great event. It is of little use that we pray for the kingdom to come, if we do nothing to further its coming. As we begin to comprehend more fully the meaning of this prayer, we agree with the statement that no prayer is real prayer that does not include the kingdom.

It is a serious question how far a Christian can honestly pray for the kingdom to come, while making every preparation to stay in this world. We know that Jesus said in the parable, “Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:13. This has been made to mean that we may build and carry on as usual, when the word has no such meaning. In the parable of the nobleman “he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” The Revised Version says, “Trade ye herewith till I come.” That is, “Use the talents I have given you.” The Greek means, “to be busy with, to trade.” The servants had been given ten talents. Now the nobleman said, Trade with them; get busy. That this is the meaning is evident from the parable itself, for when the master returned, he called the servants together ‘that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.” To apply this parable to anything else than trading with the talents each man had received is to wrest Scripture.

This, then, is our work while we are waiting for the Lord to come. Busily engaged in the work of God, we may justify our existence. Let us trade with the one talent we have, and God may give us another.

 

“Thy Will Be Done”

“Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” This petition is built on the fact that God’s will is not now being done on earth. If God’s will were done, there would be no war or hatred among nations. There would be no injustice or cruelty, no sickness, sorrow, suffering, or tears. Peace and prosperity would prevail, joy and happiness reign supreme.

How have present conditions come about? They are the results of the selfishness, ambition, and greed of men who have forgotten that they arte their brother’s keeper.

As a consequence, some nations have an abundance of that for which others are starving. There is enough food in the world for all, but men have not learned the blessing of sharing with those who are less fortunate. Men have forgotten the golden rule; they have forgotten God.

God’s will is well expressed by the prophet who said, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11. The Revised Standard Version more correctly reads, “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” When this was written, Israel had sinned grievously, and it appeared that there was no future for them. However, God had plans for them and encouraged them to try once more. He promised that if they would search for Him with all their heart, He would hear them and would turn their captivity. Jeremiah 39: 12-14.

God is not an angry God who lies in wait to catch men off their guard so He can punish them. Hear these heartening promises: God “doth not afflict willingly not grieve the children of men.” Lamentations 3:33. If God at times must punish, He does it reluctantly. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. His desire is to “have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4. From the very beginning, God has “chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and the belief of the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13. This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” 1 Thessalonians 4:3.

These texts reveal God’s plans for men. He wants every man saved, and is not willing that even one should be lost. His plan includes both a hope and a future, on the condition that we seek Him with all our heart.

When we therefore pray that God’s will be done in earth as it is in heaven, we align ourselves with divine power to bring this about. Just what, specifically, does God want us to do so that He can work out His plan in us? What is my duty?

A government expresses it will through its law. Each nation ordinarily has a fundamental law, written or unwritten, generally called “a constitution,” which is binding upon all the people. This constitution prescribes and defines the duties of the citizens and is the standard to which all other laws must conform. In a country ruled by a dictator, there is no constitution. The will of the dictator is the supreme law, from which there is no appeal.

When God formed Israel into a nation, He publicly entered into a covenant with the people, upon adherence to which they were to become His people and receive His blessings. Moses thus records the event: “And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness. And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even the Ten Commandments; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone.” Deuteronomy 4:11-13.

The covenant law that God proclaimed from Sinai reads as follows: “God spake all these words saying,…

1.      Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.

2.      Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep my commandments.

3.      Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.

4.      Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blesses the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.

5.      Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

6.      Thou shalt not kill.

7.      Thou shalt not commit adultery.

8.      Thou shalt not steal.

9.      Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

10.  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.”

 

“These words the Lord spake unto all the assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and He added no more. And He wrote them in two tablets of stone, and delivered them unto me.” Deuteronomy 5:22.

“And I turned myself and came down from the mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the Lord commanded me.” Deuteronomy 10:5.

Christ in His Sermon on the Mount endorsed this law, and compliance with it was made a condition of salvation. Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, Luke 10:25-28, 18: 18-23.

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