Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc00/v00450

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 8KB | 137 lines

00454
 * Death of John the Baptist. (1-12) Five thousand people
 miraculously fed. (13-21) Jesus walks upon the sea. (22-33)
 Jesus healing the sick. (34-36)

 #1-12 The terror and reproach of conscience, which Herod, like
 other daring offenders, could not shake off, are proofs and
 warnings of a future judgment, and of future misery to them. But
 there may be the terror of convictions, where there is not the
 truth of conversion. When men pretend to favour the gospel, yet
 live in evil, we must not favour their self-delusion, but must
 deliver our consciences as John did. The world may call this
 rudeness and blind zeal. False professors, or timid Christians,
 may censure it as want of civility; but the most powerful
 enemies can go no further than the Lord sees good to permit.
 Herod feared that the putting of John to death might raise a
 rebellion among the people, which it did not; but he never
 feared it might stir up his own conscience against him, which it
 did. Men fear being hanged for what they do not fear being
 damned for. And times of carnal mirth and jollity are convenient
 times for carrying on bad designs against God's people. Herod
 would profusely reward a worthless dance, while imprisonment and
 death were the recompence of the man of God who sought the
 salvation of his soul. But there was real malice to John beneath
 his consent, or else Herod would have found ways to get clear of
 his promise. When the under shepherds are smitten, the sheep
 need not be scattered while they have the Great Shepherd to go
 to. And it is better to be drawn to Christ by want and loss,
 than not to come to him at all.

00466
 #13-21 When Christ and his word withdraw, it is best for us to
 follow, seeking the means of grace for our souls before any
 worldly advantages. The presence of Christ and his gospel, makes
 a desert not only tolerable, but desirable. This little supply
 of bread was increased by Christ's creating power, till the
 whole multitude were satisfied. In seeking the welfare of men's
 souls, we should have compassion on their bodies likewise. Let
 us also remember always to crave a blessing on our meals, and
 learn to avoid all waste, as frugality is the proper source of
 liberality. See in this miracle an emblem of the Bread of life,
 which came down from heaven to sustain our perishing souls. The
 provisions of Christ's gospel appear mean and scanty to the
 world, yet they satisfy all that feed on him in their hearts by
 faith with thanksgiving.
00475
 #22-33 Those are not Christ's followers who cannot enjoy being
 alone with God and their own hearts. It is good, upon special
 occasions, and when we find our hearts enlarged, to continue
 long in secret prayer, and in pouring out our hearts before the
 Lord. It is no new thing for Christ's disciples to meet with
 storms in the way of duty, but he thereby shows himself with the
 more grace to them and for them. He can take what way he pleases
 to save his people. But even appearances of deliverance
 sometimes occasion trouble and perplexity to God's people, from
 mistakes about Christ. Nothing ought to affright those that have
 Christ near them, and know he is theirs; not death itself. Peter
 walked upon the water, not for diversion or to boast of it, but
 to go to Jesus; and in that he was thus wonderfully borne up.
 Special supports are promised, and are to be expected, but only
 in spiritual pursuits; nor can we ever come to Jesus, unless we
 are upheld by his power. Christ bade Peter come, not only that
 he might walk upon the water, and so know his Lord's power, but
 that he might know his own weakness. And the Lord often lets his
 servants have their choice, to humble and prove them, and to
 show the greatness of his power and grace. When we look off from
 Christ, and look at the greatness of opposing difficulties, we
 shall begin to fall; but when we call to him, he will stretch
 out his arm, and save us. Christ is the great Saviour; those who
 would be saved, must come to him, and cry to him, for salvation;
 we are never brought to this, till we find ourselves sinking:
 the sense of need drives us to him. He rebuked Peter. Could we
 but believe more, we should suffer less. The weakness of faith,
 and the prevailing of our doubts, displease our Lord Jesus, for
 there is no good reason why Christ's disciples should be of a
 doubtful mind. Even in a stormy day he is to them a very present
 help. None but the world's Creator could multiply the loaves,
 none but its Governor could tread upon the waters of the sea:
 the disciples yield to the evidence, and confess their faith.
 They were suitably affected, and worshipped Christ. He that
 comes to God, must believe; and he that believes in God, will
 come, #Heb 11:6|.

00487
 #34-36 Whithersoever Christ went, he was doing good. They
 brought unto him all that were diseased. They came humbly
 beseeching him to help them. The experiences of others may
 direct and encourage us in seeking for Christ. As many as he
 touched, were made perfectly whole. Those whom Christ heals, he
 heals perfectly. Were men more acquainted with Christ, and with
 the diseased state of their souls, they would flock to receive
 his healing influences. The healing virtue was not in the
 finger, but in their faith; or rather, it was in Christ, whom
 their faith took hold upon.
00490
 * Jesus discourses about human traditions. (1-9) He warns
 against things which really defile. (10-20) He heals the
 daughter of a Syrophenician woman. (21-28) Jesus heals the sick,
 and miraculously feeds four thousand. (29-39)

 #1-9 Additions to God's laws reflect upon his wisdom, as if he
 had left out something which was needed, and which man could
 supply; in one way or other they always lead men to disobey God.
 How thankful ought we to be for the written word of God! Never
 let us think that the religion of the Bible can be improved by
 any human addition, either in doctrine or practice. Our blessed
 Lord spoke of their traditions as inventions of their own, and
 pointed out one instance in which this was very clear, that of
 their transgressing the fifth commandment. When a parent's wants
 called for assistance, they pleaded, that they had devoted to
 the temple all they could spare, even though they did not part
 with it, and therefore their parents must expect nothing from
 them. This was making the command of God of no effect. The doom
 of hypocrites is put in a little compass; "In vain do they
 worship me." It will neither please God, nor profit themselves;
 they trust in vanity, and vanity will be their recompence.

00499
 #10-20 Christ shows that the defilement they ought to fear, was
 not from what entered their mouths as food, but from what came
 out of their mouths, which showed the wickedness of their
 hearts. Nothing will last in the soul but the regenerating
 graces of the Holy Spirit; and nothing should be admitted into
 the church but what is from above; therefore, whoever is
 offended by a plain, seasonable declaration of the truth, we
 should not be troubled at it. The disciples ask to be better
 taught as to this matter. Where a weak head doubts concerning
 any word of Christ, an upright heart and a willing mind seek for
 instruction. It is the heart that is desperately wicked, #Jer
 17:9|, for there is no sin in word or deed, which was not first
 in the heart. They all come out of the man, and are fruits of
 that wickedness which is in the heart, and is wrought there.
 When Christ teaches, he will show men the deceitfulness and
 wickedness of their own hearts; he will teach them to humble
 themselves, and to seek to be cleansed in the Fountain opened
 for sin and uncleanness.