The Responsibilities of Heaven
An eternal weight of glory.” — 2 Corinthians iv. 17.
“A WEIGHT of glory “! — that is a very strange expression. We commonly associate a weight with oppressiveness. It is something which keeps us down, prevents us from flying into the air, restrains the exuberance of joy. Is it not singular that such a simile should be taken to mark the advent of glory! Should we not expect to hear, not of triumphant weightedness, but of triumphant wings! I can understand the significance of the words, “They shall mount up as eagles.” I can see the force of the command, “Lay aside every weight and run!” But why dress the new life in the old grave-clothes! AVhy recall a metaphor of death! Why speak of the Lord’s joy as a weight of glory!
Because, my soul, the joy of thy Lord ts a weightedness. The transit from earth to heaven is not an emancipation from care; it is an emancipation from care about thyself. He only empties thee that thou mayst be filled again — filled with a higher care, love’s care. There is a weight which is only felt in heaven, and which is heaven’s glory; it is the labour of love. It has hardly begun here; it is the praise that” waiteth for God in Zion.’’ There is a burden which has long deterred thee from lifting God’s burden; it is the thought of thine own morrow. From that weight thy Lord fain would set thee free. But why r Not that thou mightst be a winged butterfly flitting from flower to flower. Nay, but that thou mightst bear a larger weight — the weight of humanity — Christ’s weight of glory. The joy of thy Lord is not a bird’s song; it is a heart’s enlargement. The risen Christ remains not in the garden; He must ascend to the cares of His Father. The place prepared for thee is no scene of luxurious ease, no plot of ground enclosed from mortal pain. There is a gate leading into the highways and the hedges, opening out into the far country of the prodigal son. And through this gate thy Father would have thee go — to minister, to succour, to save. This is the place prepared for thee in the mansions of thy Father. This is the ivory gate and golden where the angels go out and in. This is the narrow way which leadeth unto life; and they who have found that life retrace the road to bring their brother in. Thy weight of responsibility will be thy weight of glory.