Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc00/v00550

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 9KB | 158 lines

00552
 #24-28 A true disciple of Christ is one that does follow him in
 duty, and shall follow him to glory. He is one that walks in the
 same way Christ walked in, is led by his Spirit, and treads in
 his steps, whithersoever he goes. "Let him deny himself." If
 self-denial be a hard lesson, it is no more than what our Master
 learned and practised, to redeem us, and to teach us. "Let him
 take up his cross." The cross is here put for every trouble that
 befalls us. We are apt to think we could bear another's cross
 better than our own; but that is best which is appointed us, and
 we ought to make the best of it. We must not by our rashness and
 folly pull crosses down upon our own heads, but must take them
 up when they are in our way. If any man will have the name and
 credit of a disciple, let him follow Christ in the work and duty
 of a disciple. If all worldly things are worthless when compared
 with the life of the body, how forcible the same argument with
 respect to the soul and its state of never-ending happiness or
 misery! Thousands lose their souls for the most trifling gain,
 or the most worthless indulgence, nay, often from mere sloth and
 negligence. Whatever is the object for which men forsake Christ,
 that is the price at which Satan buys their souls. Yet one soul
 is worth more than all the world. This is Christ's judgment upon
 the matter; he knew the price of souls, for he redeemed them;
 nor would he underrate the world, for he made it. The dying
 transgressor cannot purchase one hour's respite to seek mercy
 for his perishing soul. Let us then learn rightly to value our
 souls, and Christ as the only Saviour of them.
00557
 * The transfiguration of Christ. (1-13) Jesus casts out a dumb
 and deaf spirit. (14-21) He again foretells his sufferings.
 (22,23) He works a miracle to pay the tribute money. (24-27)

 #1-13 Now the disciples beheld somewhat of Christ's glory, as of
 the only begotten of the Father. It was intended to support
 their faith, when they would have to witness his crucifixion;
 and would give them an idea of the glory prepared for them, when
 changed by his power and made like him. The apostles were
 overcome by the glorious sight. Peter thought that it was most
 desirable to continue there, and to go no more down to meet the
 sufferings of which he was so unwilling to hear. In this he knew
 not what he said. We are wrong, if we look for a heaven here
 upon earth. Whatever tabernacles we propose to make for
 ourselves in this world, we must always remember to ask Christ's
 leave. That sacrifice was not yet offered, without which the
 souls of sinful men could not have been saved; and important
 services were to be done by Peter and his brethren. While Peter
 spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, an emblem of the Divine
 presence and glory. Ever since man sinned, and heard God's voice
 in the garden, unusual appearances of God have been terrible to
 man. They fell prostrate to the earth, till Jesus encouraged
 them; when looking round, they beheld only their Lord as they
 commonly saw him. We must pass through varied experiences in our
 way to glory; and when we return to the world after an
 ordinance, it must be our care to take Christ with us, and then
 it may be our comfort that he is with us.

00570
 #14-21 The case of afflicted children should be presented to God
 by faithful and fervent prayer. Christ cured the child. Though
 the people were perverse, and Christ was provoked, yet care was
 taken of the child. When all other helps and succours fail, we
 are welcome to Christ, may trust in him, and in his power and
 goodness. See here an emblem of Christ's undertaking as our
 Redeemer. It encourages parents to bring children to Christ,
 whose souls are under Satan's power; he is able to heal them,
 and as willing as he is able. Not only bring them to Christ by
 prayer, but bring them to the word of Christ; to means by which
 Satan's strong-holds in the soul are beaten down. It is good for
 us to distrust ourselves and our own strength; but it is
 displeasing to Christ when we distrust any power derived from
 him, or granted by him. There was also something in the malady
 which rendered the cure difficult. The extraordinary power of
 Satan must not discourage our faith, but quicken us to more
 earnestness in praying to God for the increase of it. Do we
 wonder to see Satan's bodily possession of this young man from a
 child, when we see his spiritual possession of every son of Adam
 from the fall!

00578
 #22,23 Christ perfectly knew all things that should befall him,
 yet undertook the work of our redemption, which strongly shows
 his love. What outward debasement and Divine glory was the life
 of the Redeemer! And all his humiliation ended in his
 exaltation. Let us learn to endure the cross, to despise riches
 and worldly honours, and to be content with his will.

00580
 #24-27 Peter felt sure that his Master was ready to do what was
 right. Christ spoke first to give him proof that no thought can
 be withholden from him. We must never decline our duty for fear
 of giving offence; but we must sometimes deny ourselves in our
 worldly interests, rather than give offence. However the money
 was lodged in the fish, He who knows all things alone could know
 it, and only almighty power could bring it to Peter's hook. The
 power and the poverty of Christ should be mentioned together. If
 called by providence to be poor, like our Lord, let us trust in
 his power, and our God shall supply all our need, according to
 his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. In the way of obedience, in
 the course, perhaps, of our usual calling, as he helped Peter,
 so he will help us. And if any sudden call should occur, which
 we are not prepared to meet, let us not apply to others, till we
 first seek Christ.
00584
 * The importance of humility. (1-6) Caution against offences.
 (7-14) The removal of offences. (15-20) Conduct towards
 brethren, The parable of the unmerciful servant. (21-35)

 #1-6 Christ spoke many words of his sufferings, but only one of
 his glory; yet the disciples fasten upon that, and overlook the
 others. Many love to hear and speak of privileges and glory, who
 are willing to pass by the thoughts of work and trouble. Our
 Lord set a little child before them, solemnly assuring them,
 that unless they were converted and made like little children,
 they could not enter his kingdom. Children, when very young, do
 not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are
 free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on
 their parents. It is true that they soon begin to show other
 dispositions, and other ideas are taught them at an early age;
 but these are marks of childhood, and render them proper emblems
 of the lowly minds of true Christians. Surely we need to be
 daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become
 simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the
 least of all. Let us daily study this subject, and examine our
 own spirits.

00590
 #7-14 Considering the cunning and malice of Satan, and the
 weakness and depravity of men's hearts, it is not possible but
 that there should be offences. God permits them for wise and
 holy ends, that those who are sincere, and those who are not,
 may be made known. Being told before, that there will be
 seducers, tempters, persecutors, and bad examples, let us stand
 on our guard. We must, as far as lawfully we may, part with what
 we cannot keep without being entangled by it in sin. The outward
 occasions of sin must be avoided. If we live after the flesh, we
 must die. If we, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the
 body, we shall live. Christ came into the world to save souls,
 and he will reckon severely with those who hinder the progress
 of others who are setting their faces heavenward. And shall any
 of us refuse attention to those whom the Son of God came to seek
 and to save? A father takes care of all his children, but is
 particularly tender of the little ones.

00598
 #15-20 If a professed Christian is wronged by another, he ought
 not to complain of it to others, as is often done merely upon
 report, but to go to the offender privately, state the matter
 kindly, and show him his conduct. This would generally have all
 the desired effect with a true Christian, and the parties would
 be reconciled. The principles of these rules may be practised
 every where, and under all circumstances, though they are too
 much neglected by all. But how few try the method which Christ
 has expressly enjoined to all his disciples! In all our
 proceedings we should seek direction in prayer; we cannot too
 highly prize the promises of God. Wherever and whenever we meet
 in the name of Christ, we should consider him as present in the
 midst of us.