He could not have been persuaded to leave them; indeed, we read of him
further on standing with the apostles when they were brought before the
magistrates. It is a good sign when men stay with those who were made a
blessing to them. If Methodism had with her to-day all she has lifted
from poverty and degradation, she would need neither testimonials nor
benefactors.
VIII. "THE LORD HATH NEED OF HIM."
MARK xi, 3.
What! of an Ass? Yes, "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world."
He gets renown to Himself by "using things which are despised." Let us
never despair of the most foolish of men, if he become the servant of
Jesus. It is said of the great John Hunt, that when a young man, he gave
no promise of the talents he shewed in the work of the Ministry. We have
spoken with one who knew him before his conversion, who made us smile as
he described his gait and style of life. Yet this ungainly ploughboy
became a man whom to know was to admire. It was in Christ's hands,
though, he improved so greatly.
DOES THE LORD REALLY NEED AN ASS? Yes. The Scriptures foretold that
Jesus should come "riding upon an ass." Is it not beautiful to think of
the poor despised Ass fulfilling so grand a prophecy? "The knowledge of
the Lord shall cover the earth." We may help that on. Will the young
men and women who read this bear in mind that no one ever used this ass
till Jesus did? Why should He not be the first to use you? "What!" say
you. "Do you compare us to an ass?" Well, if we do, the Bible is before
us. "Man be born like a wild ass's colt." And, if you have not
remembered the claims God has upon you, the poor ass has the best of it,
for the Lord says "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his Master's
crib, but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." Have you
noticed that unconverted men and women are pictured in Exodus xiii. 13,
where you see a young ass with his neck broken? The Lord needs you that
He may redeem you from your fate, and that you may be spared to bear his
yoke.
Is not the best way to elevate men, to let the Lord have the use of them?
However coarse and mean we are by nature, He can refine and elevate us.
And any part of our life that is in danger of baseness may be lifted to
beauty and blessing by putting it under the Christ. What a change came
over this animal in one short day! An ass in the morning, but the