FOLLOWERS OF YAHUSHUA

Followers of Yahushua

There was one who came to Yahushua after he had witnessed some of his wonderful teachings, and said, "I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest." (Luke 9:57). But Yahushua read the heart and thoughts of the one who made this proposition, and knew that he was expecting to have some special honor in the esteem of Yahushua in his reign upon the earth, which he thought would be a temporal reign. But Yahushua answered him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." (Matthew 8:20). And whosoever will engage to follow him whithersoever he goeth, must himself work as Yahushua has worked. Those who engage to be partakers with Yahushua, must also be partakers with him of his humiliation and his sufferings. Not only will they have to be brought sometimes into strait and trying places in temporal things in this life, but they will meet with difficulties in spiritual things.

When two disciples came to Yahushua, one preferring to sit on his right hand and the other on his left, Yahushua said, "Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" (Matthew 20:22). Now, whosoever would set their feet in the path to follow their Redeemer, must be willing to follow him in all his self-denyings, and to do others good. They must prepare their souls for trial and conflict in the same manner as Yahushua did,--by prayer to his Father.

After the precious Saviour had met with indifference, with opposition, with criticism from those who needed his help, to whom he could and would do good if they would receive his words, he said, "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life." (John 5:40). He went away alone with his Father, and prayed that he would not give up these rebellious ones to their own perversity of spirit; and he sent up his petitions with strong crying and tears. And if the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory, has found it a necessity to pray to his Father, every one must imitate his example.

The enemy will seek in every way possible to obstruct the course of those who take hold of any branch of the work of Yahuwah, that they may not have success. But instead of their interpreting this as an evidence that the Master would not have them engage in individual labor, they should take it in altogether a different light, and see in the difficulties a vigilant foe; because the enemy is watching to block the way. And especially will this be the case with young men and women who would give themselves to the work of Yahuwah. Satan will use every means to divert them from it. He attacks those who are doing errands for Yahuwah, that they may be defeated. But those very ones who have had this difficulty to contend with, and have carried the matter to Yahuwah, and persevered under discouragements, will say that it is the most valuable part of their experience.

The new and inexperienced workers frequently have had an idea that they could do the work themselves, and thus they have failed to seek Yahuwah most earnestly for that help which they so much needed, that they might see their own weakness and insufficiency, and cling to the Arm mighty in power. These things should be no discouragement to those who would take hold of the work; for Yahuwah often brings into strait places those whom he would have engage in labor for him, so that they may learn lessons of dependence and trust, and know the Source of their strength. Should he make the path very easy before them, they would be liable to feel that they were sufficient and powerful, and able to do the work themselves, and not seek Yahuwah or give him the glory. But every one who is engaged in the work of Yahuwah should feel the importance of learning lessons in Yahushua's school; and Yahushua tells us what the character of these lessons are: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."(Matthew 11:28). Now the conditions are that every one shall take Yahushua's yoke upon him, and learn of him; and thus "ye shall find rest unto your souls."

The reason why you fail to appreciate that which comes to you in warnings and reproofs from the word of Yahuwah, is chiefly owing to your own self. You are inclined to feel your self-importance, and therefore your pride is wounded frequently, because you have not the meekness and lowliness of character to lie down at the foot of the cross. If you call to mind the Author and Finisher of your faith, and realize what he has suffered--that he went without the camp, bearing reproach for you that you might be saved,--then you will think that you are suffering nothing. What you want is the Spirit of Yahushua. You need to cherish it continually; and then when difficulties shall arise, you will be hid in Yahushua, and will manifest the Spirit of Yahushua on any and every occasion. You should not encourage a feeling of sympathy and pity for yourself. All self should be hid in Yahushua, and then you will feel such sincere sorrow and pity for the souls who do not know what is for their best good, that you will forget all about your being misused.

We must bear in mind continually this fact: that the hand of Yahushua reaches over every one of his sincere followers, and every blow that is aimed at you to injure you, wounds the hand of Yahushua that covers you. So you are to lose self entirely; to put it out of sight as much as possible; and when you see that your words are not received by those you greatly desire to help and save, then you must flee to Yahushua and pray, as he fled to his Father and prayed. Yahushua will hear your humble prayers, and give you access to souls.

We are not one fifth part as meek and humble as we should be. We need to study carefully what these things mean,--that we are to eat the flesh of Yahushua, and to drink his blood. We must bring Yahushua into our being. The care and trouble we have, are caused, to a great degree, by our own hearts' not being in harmony with Yahushua. we must take the word of Yahuwah to ourselves,--and Yahushua is that word,--and study all his words of advice and counsel, and make them a part of our own life and character. Whatever may have been your defects, you are not to carry those defects along with you from day to day; but you are to set your feet upon the lower round of the ladder, and climb until you reach the topmost round. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12). You must hold fast to Yahushua. Yahushua is that ladder. We are to mount by the Mediator, and all the while keep hold on the Mediator, clinging to Yahushua, walking with Yahushua, living with Yahushua, growing in Yahushua, until we gain heaven. Yahushua is the ladder set upon the earth, the topmost round reaching the throne of Yahuwah.

There are great blessings that we can realize if we will only bring ourselves into harmony with Yahushua. It is not that you are to trust in what you can do, but what Yahushua can do with your efforts; and therefore the whole glory should redound to Yahushua, if you would meet with success. And these lessons which appear to you so discouraging, should be regarded by you as the most precious lessons you could have, because you are made through them to see that your whole success depends upon your hold upon Yahuwah; and if you pray to him in faith, you may know that he will hear your prayers, and will be by your side to help you in every circumstance.

By: Ellen White
Review and Herald
March 29, 1888