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3.
The
Face.
The tongue can only speak as the ear is opened, and the opened ear cannot be
disassociated from suffering and reproach:--
"I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the
hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting" (Isa. 50: 6).
The words reveal the Saviour here. He was and is the One Who pre-eminently has the
tongue of the learner. As the great High Priest He is able to succour the tempted and
tried, because He has suffered, being tempted, Himself; He does give a "word in season"
to the weary. In Matt. 11: we have those memorable words:--
"Come unto Me, all ye that labour 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."
The context is instructive. The cities wherein the Lord had done many mighty works
repented not. Humanly speaking His ministry had been most discouraging. Yet:--
"AT THAT TIME Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of
heaven and earth because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,
and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so Father: for so it seemed good in Thy
sight" (Matt. 11: 25).
Here is the glorious illustration of Isa. 50: He Who was so meek and lowly that He
could look up under these circumstances and say, "Even so", He was the One Who could
say "Learn of Me". He could speak a work "in season" for He was not rebellious. He
had the tongue because He had the ear and the heart.
Shall we not learn this lesson, and in our pilgrimage be better fitted to pour in the oil
and wine of comfort, speaking a word in season to the weary ones whom we meet, and
learning not only what but how to speak the word that shall minister true consolation?