Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc00/v00650

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 6KB | 108 lines

00665
 #17-19 Christ is more particular here in foretelling his
 sufferings than before. And here, as before, he adds the mention
 of his resurrection and his glory, to that of his death and
 sufferings, to encourage his disciples, and comfort them. A
 believing view of our once crucified and now glorified Redeemer,
 is good to humble a proud, self-justifying disposition. When we
 consider the need of the humiliation and sufferings of the Son
 of God, in order to the salvation of perishing sinners, surely
 we must be aware of the freeness and richness of Divine grace in
 our salvation.

00668
 #20-28 The sons of Zebedee abused what Christ said to comfort
 the disciples. Some cannot have comforts but they turn them to a
 wrong purpose. Pride is a sin that most easily besets us; it is
 sinful ambition to outdo others in pomp and grandeur. To put
 down the vanity and ambition of their request, Christ leads them
 to the thoughts of their sufferings. It is a bitter cup that is
 to be drunk of; a cup of trembling, but not the cup of the
 wicked. It is but a cup, it is but a draught, bitter perhaps,
 but soon emptied; it is a cup in the hand of a Father, #Joh
 18:11|. Baptism is an ordinance by which we are joined to the
 Lord in covenant and communion; and so is suffering for Christ,
 #Eze 20:37; Isa 48:10|. Baptism is an outward and visible sign
 of an inward and spiritual grace; and so is suffering for
 Christ, for unto us it is given, #Php 1:29|. But they knew not
 what Christ's cup was, nor what his baptism. Those are commonly
 most confident, who are least acquainted with the cross. Nothing
 makes more mischief among brethren, than desire of greatness.
 And we never find Christ's disciples quarrelling, but something
 of this was at the bottom of it. That man who labours most
 diligently, and suffers most patiently, seeking to do good to
 his brethren, and to promote the salvation of souls, most
 resembles Christ, and will be most honoured by him to all
 eternity. Our Lord speaks of his death in the terms applied to
 the sacrifices of old. It is a sacrifice for the sins of men,
 and is that true and substantial sacrifice, which those of the
 law faintly and imperfectly represented. It was a ransom for
 many, enough for all, working upon many; and, if for many, then
 the poor trembling soul may say, Why not for me?

00677
 #29-34 It is good for those under the same trial, or infirmity
 of body or mind, to join in prayer to God for relief, that they
 may quicken and encourage one another. There is mercy enough in
 Christ for all that ask. They were earnest in prayer. They cried
 out as men in earnest. Cold desires beg denials. They were
 humble in prayer, casting themselves upon, and referring
 themselves cheerfully to, the Mediator's mercy. They showed
 faith in prayer, by the title they gave to Christ. Surely it was
 by the Holy Ghost that they called Jesus, Lord. They persevered
 in prayer. When they were in pursuit of such mercy, it was no
 time for timidity or hesitation: they cried earnestly. Christ
 encouraged them. The wants and burdens of the body we are soon
 sensible of, and can readily relate. Oh that we did as feelingly
 complain of our spiritual maladies, especially our spiritual
 blindness! Many are spiritually blind, yet say they see. Jesus
 cured these blind men; and when they had received sight, they
 followed him. None follow Christ blindly. He first by his grace
 opens men's eyes, and so draws their hearts after him. These
 miracles are our call to Jesus; may we hear it, and make it our
 daily prayer to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord
 and Saviour Jesus Christ.
00683
 * Christ enters Jerusalem. (1-11) He drives out those who
 profaned the temple. (12-17) The barren fig-tree cursed. (18-22)
 Jesus' discourse in the temple. (23-27) The parable of the two
 sons. (28-32) The parable of the wicked husbandmen. (33-46)

 #1-11 This coming of Christ was described by the prophet
 Zechariah, #Zec 9:9|. When Christ would appear in his glory, it
 is in his meekness, not in his majesty, in mercy to work
 salvation. As meekness and outward poverty were fully seen in
 Zion's King, and marked his triumphal entrance to Jerusalem, how
 wrong covetousness, ambition, and the pride of life must be in
 Zion's citizens! They brought the ass, but Jesus did not use it
 without the owner's consent. The trappings were such as came to
 hand. We must not think the clothes on our backs too dear to
 part with for the service of Christ. The chief priests and the
 elders afterwards joined with the multitude that abused him upon
 the cross; but none of them joined the multitude that did him
 honour. Those that take Christ for their King, must lay their
 all under his feet. Hosanna signifies, Save now, we beseech
 thee! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord! But of
 how little value is the applause of the people! The changing
 multitude join the cry of the day, whether it be Hosanna, or
 Crucify him. Multitudes often seem to approve the gospel, but
 few become consistent disciples. When Jesus was come into
 Jerusalem all the city was moved; some perhaps were moved with
 joy, who waited for the Consolation of Israel; others, of the
 Pharisees, were moved with envy. So various are the motions in
 the minds of men upon the approach of Christ's kingdom.

00694
 #12-17 Christ found some of the courts of the temple turned into
 a market for cattle and things used in the sacrifices, and
 partly occupied by the money-changers. Our Lord drove them from
 the place, as he had done at his entering upon his ministry,
 #Joh 2:13-17|. His works testified of him more than the
 hosannas; and his healing in the temple was the fulfilling of the
 promise, that the glory of the latter house should be greater
 than the glory of the former. If Christ came now into many parts
 of his visible church, how many secret evils he would discover
 and cleanse! And how many things daily practised under the cloak
 of religion, would he show to be more suitable to a den of
 thieves than to a house of prayer!