As just a few of us were gathered for Bible fellowship in an attractive conference room belonging to the company of a brother from our group I was reminded of the word, “And the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle”  (Ex 40:35).  Indeed, when the saints are gathered in all simplicity with the Lord as our only true charm, the glory of the Lord is there and our gathering is like a beautiful tabernacle, isn´t it?

So there we were.  The youngest was less than 2 years of age.  The oldest  89.  He´s but a babe though, and yet he rejoiced as the word was expounded under the Spirit´s anointing.  I have been in many parties, but they all fade away compared to the glory of “the fellowship of the Spirit” where “the comfort of love, affection and mercy” (Phil. 2:1) abound.

You can´t be too simple when it comes to that, can you?  and you can´t be too dependent on His Spirit or too independent of man and man´s glory.

My thoughts went back to that summer in Yakema, WA, where I was invited to a party with extremely hospitable friends belonging to a mega church.  So naturally I brought my Bible along.  The sweet and charming hostess said to me, “Tonight there will be no Bible – we´re just getting together”, and a very delicious table was prepared making me feel like the queen of Sheba coming to the glory of Salomon.

But I felt a little embarrassed standing there on the floor with my Bible. I thought of Luther´s words, “When Christians come together without the preaching of the word, they may as well not come together at all.”

However, it was still meaningful as I shared God´s word with a fine little group of gentlemen on an outdoor terrace, a beautiful vantage point.

And yet the glory of our simple Bible fellowship at a simple coffee table outshines any other party glory.  The Christians in America and Denmark need to come back to that simplicity and peel off any outward show, so that we see “only Jesus”  (Mk. 9:8).

Febr. 15, 2015 - jn