Apprehended of Christ

Apprehended of Christ

The knowledge that Paul received at Gamaliel’s feet could have made him a leader among his people and could have earned him the honor and the riches that such a position entailed. However, when he received the knowledge of Christ, he counted all these things as loss. The knowledge of Christ brought him a far greater glory. By it he would be able to sit with Christ on His throne—first in the Millennium and then in all eternity. Compared to this, his prospects in this world were like dung.

What was it that caused Paul to be so apprehended of Christ and the knowledge of Him? He learned that Jesus, according to the flesh, was of the seed of David (Rom. 1:3) and had partaken of the flesh and blood of the children (Heb. 2:14, 18), that He was tested in all things like we are, had suffered and was tempted and yet He did not sin. Heb. 4:15. The fact that Jesus opened this way and made it possible for Paul to live the same life became so exceedingly great for Paul.

Now Paul had only one interest, which was to know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings—to be conformed to His death so he could attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul was waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven who would transform his lowly body to be conformed to His glorious body.

He could obtain this glory through the cross of Christ, which is why he wept when he saw those who hated this cross and loved their belly and the earthly things. Paul’s boasting was in the cross of Christ. By it Jesus had lived in a body like Paul’s without sinning, so that death could not hold Him, and by this cross Paul could follow Jesus so that his lowly body could also become like Jesus’ glorious body. Jesus’ battle in the days of His flesh (Heb. 5:7), and His sufferings in the hour of temptation in order not to sin, became exceedingly living for Paul; he was so enthusiastic over Jesus’ faithfulness that he wrote to Timothy, “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel.” Then he added, “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory . . . . For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.” And he prefaces this by saying, “This is a faithful saying.” 2 Tim. 2:8-12.

May we, in these days, be just as enthusiastic as Paul was. May God touch the hearts so they may believe, so that all the glory of the world will become as dung. Then there will be an end of all sighing, complaining, and bondage.