Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc00/v00300

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 9KB | 151 lines

00316
 * Christ's preaching. (1) Christ's answer to John's disciples.
 (2-6) Christ's testimony to John the Baptist. (7-15) The
 perverseness of the Jews. (16-24) The gospel revealed to the
 simple. The heavy-laden invited. (25-30)

 #1 Our Divine Redeemer never was weary of his labour of love;
 and we should not be weary of well-doing, for in due season we
 shall reap, if we faint not.

00317
 #2-6 Some think that John sent this inquiry for his own
 satisfaction. Where there is true faith, yet there may be a
 mixture of unbelief. The remaining unbelief of good men may
 sometimes, in an hour of temptation, call in question the most
 important truths. But we hope that John's faith did not fail in
 this matter, and that he only desired to have it strengthened
 and confirmed. Others think that John sent his disciples to
 Christ for their satisfaction. Christ points them to what they
 heard and saw. Christ's gracious condescensions and compassions
 to the poor, show that it was he that should bring to the world
 the tender mercies of our God. Those things which men see and
 hear, if compared with the Scriptures, direct in what way
 salvation is to be found. It is difficult to conquer prejudices,
 and dangerous not to conquer them; but those who believe in
 Christ, their faith will be found so much the more to praise,
 and honour, and glory.
00322
 #7-15 What Christ said concerning John, was not only for his
 praise, but for the people's profit. Those who attend on the
 word will be called to give an account of their improvements. Do
 we think when the sermon is done, the care is over? No, then the
 greatest of the care begins. John was a self-denying man, dead
 to all the pomp of the world and the pleasures of sense. It
 becomes people, in all their appearances, to be consistent with
 their character and their situation. John was a great and good
 man, yet not perfect; therefore he came short of glorified
 saints. The least in heaven knows more, loves more, and does
 more in praising God, and receives more from him, than the
 greatest in this world. But by the kingdom of heaven here, is
 rather to be understood the kingdom of grace, the gospel
 dispensation in its power and purity. What reason we have to be
 thankful that our lot is cast in the days of the kingdom of
 heaven, under such advantages of light and love! Multitudes were
 wrought upon by the ministry of John, and became his disciples.
 And those strove for a place in this kingdom, that one would
 think had no right nor title to it, and so seemed to be
 intruders. It shows us what fervency and zeal are required of
 all. Self must be denied; the bent, the frame and temper of the
 mind must be altered. Those who will have an interest in the
 great salvation, will have it upon any terms, and not think them
 hard, nor quit their hold without a blessing. The things of God
 are of great and common concern. God requires no more from us
 than the right use of the faculties he has given us. People are
 ignorant, because they will not learn.

00331
 #16-24 Christ reflects on the scribes and Pharisees, who had a
 proud conceit of themselves. He likens their behaviour to
 children's play, who being out of temper without reason, quarrel
 with all the attempts of their fellows to please them, or to get
 them to join in the plays for which they used to assemble. The
 cavils of worldly men are often very trifling and show great
 malice. Something they have to urge against every one, however
 excellent and holy. Christ, who was undefiled, and separate from
 sinners, is here represented as in league with them, and
 polluted by them. The most unspotted innocence will not always
 be a defence against reproach. Christ knew that the hearts of
 the Jews were more bitter and hardened against his miracles and
 doctrines, than those of Tyre and Sidon would have been;
 therefore their condemnation would be the greater. The Lord
 exercises his almighty power, yet he punishes none more than
 they deserve, and never withholds the knowledge of the truth
 from those who long after it.

00340
 #25-30 It becomes children to be grateful. When we come to God
 as a Father, we must remember that he is Lord of heaven and
 earth, which obliges us to come to him with reverence as to the
 sovereign Lord of all; yet with confidence, as one able to
 defend us from evil, and to supply us with all good. Our blessed
 Lord added a remarkable declaration, that the Father had
 delivered into his hands all power, authority, and judgment. We
 are indebted to Christ for all the revelation we have of God the
 Father's will and love, ever since Adam sinned. Our Saviour has
 invited all that labour and are heavy-laden, to come unto him.
 In some senses all men are so. Worldly men burden themselves
 with fruitless cares for wealth and honours; the gay and the
 sensual labour in pursuit of pleasures; the slave of Satan and
 his own lusts, is the merest drudge on earth. Those who labour
 to establish their own righteousness also labour in vain. The
 convinced sinner is heavy-laden with guilt and terror; and the
 tempted and afflicted believer has labours and burdens. Christ
 invites all to come to him for rest to their souls. He alone
 gives this invitation; men come to him, when, feeling their
 guilt and misery, and believing his love and power to help, they
 seek him in fervent prayer. Thus it is the duty and interest of
 weary and heavy-laden sinners, to come to Jesus Christ. This is
 the gospel call; Whoever will, let him come. All who thus come
 will receive rest as Christ's gift, and obtain peace and comfort
 in their hearts. But in coming to him they must take his yoke,
 and submit to his authority. They must learn of him all things,
 as to their comfort and obedience. He accepts the willing
 servant, however imperfect the services. Here we may find rest
 for our souls, and here only. Nor need we fear his yoke. His
 commandments are holy, just, and good. It requires self-denial,
 and exposes to difficulties, but this is abundantly repaid, even
 in this world, by inward peace and joy. It is a yoke that is
 lined with love. So powerful are the assistances he gives us, so
 suitable the encouragements, and so strong the consolations to
 be found in the way of duty, that we may truly say, it is a yoke
 of pleasantness. The way of duty is the way of rest. The truths
 Christ teaches are such as we may venture our souls upon. Such
 is the Redeemer's mercy; and why should the labouring and
 burdened sinner seek for rest from any other quarter? Let us
 come to him daily, for deliverance from wrath and guilt, from
 sin and Satan, from all our cares, fears, and sorrows. But
 forced obedience, far from being easy and light, is a heavy
 burden. In vain do we draw near to Jesus with our lips, while
 the heart is far from him. Then come to Jesus to find rest for
 your souls.
00346
 * Jesus defends his disciples for plucking corn on the sabbath
 day. (1-8) Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the
 sabbath. (9-13) The malice of the Pharisees. (14-21) Jesus heals
 a demoniac. (22-30) Blasphemy of the Pharisees. (31,32) Evil
 words proceed from an evil heart. (33-37) The scribes and
 Pharisees reproved for seeking a sign. (38-45) The disciples of
 Christ are his nearest relations. (46-50)

 #1-8 Being in the corn-fields, the disciples began to pluck the
 ears of corn: the law of God allowed it, #De 23:25|. This was
 slender provision for Christ and his disciples; but they were
 content with it. The Pharisees did not quarrel with them for
 taking another man's corn, but for doing it on the sabbath day.
 Christ came to free his followers, not only from the corruptions
 of the Pharisees, but from their unscriptural rules, and
 justified what they did. The greatest shall not have their lusts
 indulged, but the meanest shall have their wants considered.
 Those labours are lawful on the sabbath day which are necessary,
 and sabbath rest is to forward, not to hinder sabbath worship.
 Needful provision for health and food is to be made; but when
 servants are kept at home, and families become a scene of hurry
 and confusion on the Lord's day, to furnish a feast for
 visitors, or for indulgence, the case is very different. Such
 things as these, and many others common among professors, are to
 be blamed. The resting on the sabbath was ordained for man's
 good, #De 5:14|. No law must be understood so as to contradict
 its own end. And as Christ is the Lord of the sabbath, it is fit
 the day and the work of it should be dedicated to him.