LEANING HARD

Song 8:5 Who is this coming up from the wilderness,
Leaning upon her beloved?

I remember when I first became a Christian one of the frequent criticisms I received from family and friends was “Jesus is just a crutch”. At first I took offense, as if I was strong enough to not need a crutch. After thinking about that criticism I finally embraced it. “Exactly!” I would respond. “Jesus is my crutch, actually He is more than a crutch, He is my life support system”. When you are crippled you need a crutch. John, the beloved of The Lord taught us about crutches; as he fed at the last supper he was leaning on The Lord. Who or what are you leaning on? Here are some profound statements by A. B. Simpson about leaning on The Lord.

“Will we make the claim most practical and real and, like John, at the Last Supper, lean our full weight upon our Lord’s breast? That is the way He would have us prove our love. “if you love me lean hard,” said a heathen woman to her missionary, as she was timidly leaning her tired body upon her stalwart body. She felt slighted by the timorous reserve and asked the confidence that would lay all its weight upon the one she trusted. Jesus says to us, [Cast] all your care upon [me]; for [I care] for you (1 Peter 5:7). He would have us prove our love by a perfect trust that makes no reserve. He is able to carry all our care, to manage all our interests, to satisfy all our needs. Let us go forth leaning upon Him and feeding on His life. For John not only leaned but also fed. It was at supper that he leaned. This is the secret of feeding on Him, to rest upon His bosom. This is the need of the fevered heart of man. Let us cry to Him, Tell me, 0 thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon (Song of Solomon 1:7).”

What a powerful picture John leaves for us, at the last supper he is leaning and feasting on The Lord. That pretty much describes our Christian walk, I am leaning hard on The Lord and at the same time feeding on His goodness. If you feel you are limping along maybe its time to humble yourself. It is okay to have a crutch when you are lame. If lameness describes your life, leaning on Him is a great alternative.