Let me be as the creature that stands between the plow and the altar, to work or to be sacrificed; and let my motto be, “Ready for either.”
—Charles Spurgeon1
This word picture by Spurgeon may seem a bit strange to those of us who do not farm the land with livestock acting as our beasts of burden. So think with me for a moment about the two primary purposes for a strong, healthy bull to the Old Testament saint.
One of the purposes for the beast to pull the plow. He was to be connected at the front of a plow. The farmer would stand behind the plow and coax the beast to pull with all of his might. Not only would he pull his own poundage, but also the weight of the plow. And the plow had to be heavy enough to let the spade part dig deep enough into the soil.
Besides this very earthy task, the beast might also be called upon by his master to be slaughtered and offered on the fiery altar. It would be his final act of service.
Although the beast might not have the mental capacity to grasp which option would benefit him the most, his obedience either way would benefit his master.
Why is Spurgeon readying himself to stand between the plow and the altar? He is carrying out the words of the Apostle Paul written to the Philippians.
For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.
—Philippians 1:21-24, ESV
So like the Apostle, Spurgeon anticipates his own death as the final earthly duty before he goes to be with Christ. Yet God in his providential care may leave him on earth to pull the plow of spiritual labor for the sake of God’s people.
I love the motto, “Ready for either.” I have a suspicion that most of us are ready to sign up for another day or many more days in this earthly body. Yet Christian maturity moves us to be equally ready to live or to die. To minister to Christ and his church, or to worship in heaven the Christ. To plow or to be sacrificed.
In the 19th century the American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society used the image of an ox standing between a plow and an altar under a banner that read, Ready for Either.
Are you ready for either?
Spurgeon, C.H. Morning and Evening. Edited by Alistair Begg. 2003. Entry for January 8 AM.