At the close of Luke 24 we have a most touching scene. The Lord is seen for the last time in the midst of the little company given Him by the Father. Great events had taken place in rapid succession. The things "which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms " concerning Him had been fulfilled. The work given Him to do was "finished. The cross and tomb with their suffering and shame were past, and He stood before them in resurrection as the glorious Victor about to "go to the Father."

Deep and varied had been their exercise of soul. In a brief time sorrow and joy in turn had possessed them. Since His rising from the dead precious hours had been spent in His presence, while He spoke of "the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." The "glory that should follow " was now the subject that largely occupied them. "Slow of heart" though they were, these were hours of sweet and holy fellowship with Himself. They now "sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to their taste" (Song 2:3). The language of the two on the way to Emmaus, "Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures ? " fully proves this.

But now, fresh exercise awaited them. The hour of His departure had come. Gently He had prepared them for it, but it filled their hearts with sorrow. This is beautiful to witness. He had their affections. Strong were the cords which bound them to Himself. Mary's tears at the tomb show plainly where her affections were and the depth of her sorrow at the loss of Him. Intelligence there was not as to many things He had told them, but of their love we have full proof.

In the act of blessing them, Jesus is "parted from them, and carried up into heaven." Sorrow and joy were mingled at that moment. He was gone, and the loss was very real. His word of promise, however, had poured in the balm that would heal their sorrowing hearts. He had left with them the comforting word, "I will come again." The parting was not forever. The assurance of this they had from His own blessed lips. Added to this, at this trying moment, were the words of the heavenly messengers, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven ? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." This-^vas "a word spoken in due season." While mildly rebuking, it at once reminded them of His precious promise and soothed their hearts.

He was gone. Heaven had opened and received Him. He was with the Father. "Great joy," therefore, filled them, as they stand by and worship Him who had thus been taken up to heaven before their eyes. The Object of their love was hidden in the distant heavens-not lost to the eye of faith. The language of faith has been ever since, "We see Jesus."

While with them it had ever been His delight to serve. He came "not to be ministered unto, but to minister," and on leaving them and entering another scene it was but to continue that service in which His love delights. Before going He had promised to "prepare a place" for them. He had spoken plainly of the "Father's house;" and that, to faith, is home. What emotions that sweet word stirs in our hearts!

Man, unfallen, had a perfect home. All that divine wisdom and love could do was done for Adam. That which was " pleasant to the sight, and good for food," and satisfying to the heart was there; and the Lord God graced it all with His presence. Quickly, however, sin came in:God's rest in His perfect creation was broken, and man was sent out from the garden of delight. He had thoroughly ruined himself, but God came in, in grace, saying, " Deliver him from going down to the pit:I have found a ransom "-and the promise of a Deliverer was given (Gen. 3:15); and when the time for the fulfilment of it came, "God sent forth His Son, made of a woman"-the woman's Seed (Gal. 4:4). He " restored that which He took not away" (Ps. 69:4); He glorified God, and opened a way for sinners to return to Him.

But not only did He finish that work which eternally saves all who trust in Him, He also must have all His saved ones with Him, and sharers of His glory. "Father," He says, "I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which Thou hast given Me" (John 17:24). The heart leaps within us as we anticipate the joy that awaits us. The "place" prepared does not speak of public, manifested glory, but rather of the quiet rest in retirement with Himself. It is surely this that one longs for.

The psalmist speaks of the "glory " but sweetly turns from it to Himself':"Whom have I in heaven but Thee ?" (Ps. 73:24, 25). When the beauty of it all bursts upon us, it will be with us as with the Queen of Sheba, when she had "seen all Solomon's wisdom . . . there was no more spirit in her " (i Kings 10:4, 5):faint illustration of that day when we shall "see His face," and He tells us and opens to us all that is in our hearts.

The years have rolled by since that parting at Bethany. Long and patiently He has been waiting for the moment of the fulfilment of His promise. He has not forgotten it. That happy day draws near. The "mountains of Bether " still separate, but cheering to the heart of His waiting ones is His word, "I will come again."

Soon the "shout" shall fall upon our ears, and "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye," we shall be in His presence to "go no more out." Are we truly waiting for Him ? How sobering this expectation must be. Anything inconsistent will not be allowed. It will banish worldliness which, like a flood, has come in amongst the professing people of God. It will urge us to keep our garments clean from all that defiles. True heart-searching becomes us now, until Himself shall lead us into those scenes where defilement shall never enter. W. D.