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1994-03-02
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00419
#24-30, 36-43 This parable represents the present and future
state of the gospel church; Christ's care of it, the devil's
enmity against it, the mixture there is in it of good and bad in
this world, and the separation between them in the other world.
So prone is fallen man to sin, that if the enemy sow the tares,
he may go his way, they will spring up, and do hurt; whereas,
when good seed is sown, it must be tended, watered, and fenced.
The servants complained to their master; Sir, didst thou not sow
good seed in thy field? No doubt he did; whatever is amiss in
the church, we are sure it is not from Christ. Though gross
transgressors, and such as openly oppose the gospel, ought to be
separated from the society of the faithful, yet no human skill
can make an exact separation. Those who oppose must not be cut
off, but instructed, and that with meekness. And though good and
bad are together in this world, yet at the great day they shall
be parted; then the righteous and the wicked shall be plainly
known; here sometimes it is hard to distinguish between them.
Let us, knowing the terrors of the Lord, not do iniquity. At
death, believers shall shine forth to themselves; at the great
day they shall shine forth before all the world. They shall
shine by reflection, with light borrowed from the Fountain of
light. Their sanctification will be made perfect, and their
justification published. May we be found of that happy number.
00426
#31-35 The scope of the parable of the seed sown, is to show
that the beginnings of the gospel would be small, but its latter
end would greatly increase; in this way the work of grace in the
heart, the kingdom of God within us, would be carried on. In the
soul where grace truly is, it will grow really; though perhaps
at first not to be discerned, it will at last come to great
strength and usefulness. The preaching of the gospel works like
leaven in the hearts of those who receive it. The leaven works
certainly, so does the word, yet gradually. It works silently,
and without being seen, #Mr 4:26-29|, yet strongly; without
noise, for so is the way of the Spirit, but without fail. Thus
it was in the world. The apostles, by preaching the gospel, hid
a handful of leaven in the great mass of mankind. It was made
powerful by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts, who works, and none
can hinder. Thus it is in the heart. When the gospel comes into
the soul, it works a thorough change; it spreads itself into all
the powers and faculties of the soul, and alters the property
even of the members of the body, #Ro 6:13|. From these parables
we are taught to expect a gradual progress; therefore let us
inquire, Are we growing in grace? and in holy principles and
habits?
00439
#44-52 Here are four parables. 1. That of the treasure hid in
the field. Many slight the gospel, because they look only upon
the surface of the field. But all who search the Scriptures, so
as in them to find Christ and eternal life, #Joh 5:39|, will
discover such treasure in this field as makes it unspeakably
valuable; they make it their own upon any terms. Though nothing
can be given as a price for this salvation, yet much must be
given up for the sake of it. 2. All the children of men are
busy; one would be rich, another would be honourable, another
would be learned; but most are deceived, and take up with
counterfeits for pearls. Jesus Christ is a Pearl of great price;
in having him, we have enough to make us happy here and for
ever. A man may buy gold too dear, but not this Pearl of great
price. When the convinced sinner sees Christ as the gracious
Saviour, all things else become worthless to his thoughts. 3.
The world is a vast sea, and men, in their natural state, are
like the fishes. Preaching the gospel is casting a net into this
sea, to catch something out of it, for His glory who has the
sovereignty of this sea. Hypocrites and true Christians shall be
parted: miserable is the condition of those that shall then be
cast away. 4. A skilful, faithful minister of the gospel, is a
scribe, well versed in the things of the gospel, and able to
teach them. Christ compares him to a good householder, who
brings forth fruits of last year's growth and this year's
gathering, abundance and variety, to entertain his friends. Old
experiences and new observations, all have their use. Our place
is at Christ's feet, and we must daily learn old lessons over
again, and new ones also.
00448
#53-58 Christ repeats his offer to those who have repulsed them.
They upbraid him, Is not this the carpenter's son? Yes, it is
true he was reputed to be so; and no disgrace to be the son of
an honest tradesman; they should have respected him the more
because he was one of themselves, but therefore they despised
him. He did not many mighty works there, because of their
unbelief. Unbelief is the great hinderance to Christ's favours.
Let us keep faithful to him as the Saviour who has made our
peace with God.