August 1956 “There Is Victory for You” Late Mr. N. Daniel

Luke 22:24-32

“Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations” 28th verse. The Lord was observing those who were partaking in His sufferings. There are those who take part in His joy. There are those who partake in the abundance of good things that He gives. But to partake in sufferings and sorrow and in poverty is not easy. In a family, whether it be joy or sorrow, whether it be plenty or poverty, the members of the family go through it together because there is love for one another. When a father is in difficulties, the children do not forsake him. They stay with him, they go through the difficulties with him, because they love the father. This does not require extraordinary love. It is but natural love. Jesus was appreciating His disciples for this simple love which they showed. “Ye have continued with Me”, He says. Judas Iscariot did not continue that way. He partook of the dinners to which Jesus was invited, but he lurked in the shadows to betray his master to His enemies. Simon Peter, however said, “I am ready to go with you to prison and to death” Mark 14:31. The other disciples said the same. These were words that were born out of their emotions (mind), but they were not words that came out of the faith in the heart. They did not know what lay in their innermost being. They were speaking out of enthusiasm and out of a desire to sacrifice for the Master. Jesus knew this. He said, “Simon, Simon, satan hath desired to have thee, to sift thee like wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith fail not.” There were great desires in the disciples, but Jesus knew that they could not fulfil them, at least not then. Peter said that he would also walk with Jesus on the water. Did he? He walked a short length, but he began to sink. He followed Jesus for a while, but he denied Him. Yet, like a father who knows the weakness of his children, Jesus passed over these failures and said, “You are those who have partaken of My sufferings.” They had followed Jesus to the extent they were able. They were those who did not know the strength of the Holy Spirit. They were those who did not understand the importance of prayer. The Lord would exhort them but would not cast them away because of their weakness. Here, He is commending them as those who have continued with Him in His sufferings. People had mocked Jesus calling Him a glutton, a wine-bibber, and one who fellowshipped with sinners and partook of their dinners. Yet, the disciples did not turn away from Jesus. When Jesus would start out alone to any place, they would go along with Him. There was a time when Jesus had to hide in the place where John first baptized. John 10:40 “And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.” News had come that Lazarus was sick unto death. The Jews had tried to stone Him there. The disciples asked Him why He wanted to go there again. But when they saw that He was set on going, they went with Him saying, “Let us also die with Him.” The Lord was watching all this.

The Lord is looking upon you. He is watching your love for Him. Those who desire to follow the Lord even if they have to face trouble and loss, may sometimes suffer defeat. But, they will rise up again and win. The Lord is watching. A man may try to preach the gospel in his village and be thrust back by opposing forces. He will ask the Lord, “Why did I suffer this defeat?” He will examine himself to see if there was a flaw in his life. He will seek to correct himself and press forward again to glorify the Lord. He w1ll see victory. The risen Christ has become the King of kings and the Lord of lords. All power has been given unto Him. If you are willing to correct yourself and take hold of the power of God through prayer, you will surely win. Peter who forsook Jesus, and the other disciples did finally win. So will you! There is no defeat in Jesus. 29th verse “And I appoint unto you a kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me.” Jesus told His disciples that they would all forsake Him. At the same time, He told them that He had appointed unto them a kingdom. In His kingdom, they would eat and drink with Him. They would judge the twelve tribes of Israel, He said. Later we see what Peter writes. I Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness in to his marvellous light.” This became Peter's experience. Peter who sank in the water, who denied Jesus, experienced this wonderful victory. He succeeded in following Jesus. He partook of His sufferings.

Dear brother, He who called us is faithful. II Timothy 1:12 “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” Those who are not willing to endure the inconvenience of heat and being drenched in rain, those who are not willing to undergo some loss, lose some sleep, put up with the discomfort in fellowshipping with the poor, those who will not even give their tithes for the extension of God's kingdom – how can they be crucified with Him? Peter who denied Jesus did go through crucifixion. Peter who sank in the water came into full victory. All the disciples gave their life for Jesus. They gladly faced death. Jesus your Saviour is powerful and is able to lead you also into victory. Why do you fear? There is no defeat in Jesus. Until your village believes in Christ, until your city belongs to Christ, until your family comes under the authority of Christ, wrestle with God on your knees. It was want of prayer that led to Peter’s defeat. Call on God with a clean heart and a pure conscience. Victory is ours because Jesus is ours!