Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc00/v00900

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 8KB | 139 lines

00911
 * The rulers conspire against Christ. (1-5) Christ anointed at
 Bethany. (6-13) Judas bargains to betray Christ. (14-16) The
 Passover. (17-25) Christ institutes his holy supper. (26-30) He
 warns his disciples. (31-35) His agony in the garden. (36-46) He
 is betrayed. (47-56) Christ before Caiaphas. (57-68) Peter
 denies him. (69-75)

 #1-5 Our Lord had often told of his sufferings as at a distance,
 now he speaks of them as at hand. At the same time the Jewish
 council consulted how they might put him to death secretly. But
 it pleased God to defeat their intention. Jesus, the true
 paschal Lamb, was to be sacrificed for us at that very time, and
 his death and resurrection rendered public.

00916
 #6-13 The pouring ointment upon the head of Christ was a token
 of the highest respect. Where there is true love in the heart to
 Jesus Christ, nothing will be thought too good to bestow upon
 him. The more Christ's servants and their services are cavilled
 at, the more he manifests his acceptance. This act of faith and
 love was so remarkable, that it would be reported, as a memorial
 of Mary's faith and love, to all future ages, and in all places
 where the gospel should be preached. This prophecy is fulfilled.

00924
 #14-16 There were but twelve called apostles, and one of them
 was like a devil; surely we must never expect any society to be
 quite pure on this side heaven. The greater profession men make
 of religion, the greater opportunity they have of doing
 mischief, if their hearts be not right with God. Observe, that
 Christ's own disciple, who knew so well his doctrine and manner
 of his life, and was false to him, could not charge him with any
 thing criminal, though it would have served to justify his
 treachery. What did Judas want? Was not he welcome wherever his
 Master was? Did he not fare as Christ fared? It is not the lack,
 but the love of money, that is the root of all evil. After he
 had made that wicked bargain, Judas had time to repent, and to
 revoke it; but when lesser acts of dishonesty have hardened the
 conscience men do without hesitation that which is more
 shameful.

00927
 #17-25 Observe, the place for their eating the passover was
 pointed out by Christ to the disciples. He knows those hidden
 ones who favour his cause, and will graciously visit all who are
 willing to receive him. The disciples did as Jesus had
 appointed. Those who would have Christ's presence in the gospel
 passover, must do what he says. It well becomes the disciples of
 Christ always to be jealous over themselves, especially in
 trying times. We know not how strongly we may be tempted, nor
 how far God may leave us to ourselves, therefore we have reason
 not to be high-minded, but to fear. Heart-searching examination
 and fervent prayer are especially proper before the Lord's
 supper, that, as Christ our Passover is now sacrificed for us,
 we may keep this feast, renewing our repentance, our faith in
 his blood, and surrendering ourselves to his service.

00936
 #26-30 This ordinance of the Lord's supper is to us the passover
 supper, by which we commemorate a much greater deliverance than
 that of Israel out of Egypt. Take, eat; accept of Christ as he
 is offered to you; receive the atonement, approve of it, submit
 to his grace and his government. Meat looked upon, be the dish
 ever so well garnished, will not nourish; it must be fed upon:
 so must the doctrine of Christ. This is my body; that is,
 spiritually, it signifies and represents his body. We partake of
 the sun, not by having the sun put into our hands, but the beams
 of it darted down upon us; so we partake of Christ by partaking
 of his grace, and the blessed fruits of the breaking of his
 body. The blood of Christ is signified and represented by the
 wine. He gave thanks, to teach us to look to God in every part
 of the ordinance. This cup he gave to the disciples with a
 command, Drink ye all of it. The pardon of sin is that great
 blessing which is, in the Lord's supper, conferred on all true
 believers; it is the foundation of all other blessings. He takes
 leave of such communion; and assures them of a happy meeting
 again at last; "Until that day when I drink it new with you", may
 be understood of the joys and glories of the future state, which
 the saints shall partake with the Lord Jesus. That will be the
 kingdom of his Father; the wine of consolation will there be
 always new. While we look at the outward signs of Christ's body
 broken and his blood shed for the remission of our sins, let us
 recollect that the feast cost him as much as though he had
 literally given his flesh to be eaten and his blood for us to
 drink.
00941
 #31-35 Improper self-confidence, like that of Peter, is the
 first step to a fall. There is a proneness in all of us to be
 over-confident. But those fall soonest and foulest, who are the
 most confident in themselves. Those are least safe, who think
 themselves most secure. Satan is active to lead such astray;
 they are most off their guard: God leaves them to themselves, to
 humble them.

00946
 #36-46 He who made atonement for the sins of mankind, submitted
 himself in a garden of suffering, to the will of God, from which
 man had revolted in a garden of pleasure. Christ took with him
 into that part of the garden where he suffered his agony, only
 those who had witnessed his glory in his transfiguration. Those
 are best prepared to suffer with Christ, who have by faith
 beheld his glory. The words used denote the most entire
 dejection, amazement, anguish, and horror of mind; the state of
 one surrounded with sorrows, overwhelmed with miseries, and
 almost swallowed up with terror and dismay. He now began to be
 sorrowful, and never ceased to be so till he said, It is
 finished. He prayed that, if possible, the cup might pass from
 him. But he also showed his perfect readiness to bear the load
 of his sufferings; he was willing to submit to all for our
 redemption and salvation. According to this example of Christ,
 we must drink of the bitterest cup which God puts into our
 hands; though nature struggle, it must submit. It should be more
 our care to get troubles sanctified, and our hearts satisfied
 under them, than to get them taken away. It is well for us that
 our salvation is in the hand of One who neither slumbers nor
 sleeps. All are tempted, but we should be much afraid of
 entering into temptation. To be secured from this, we should
 watch and pray, and continually look unto the Lord to hold us up
 that we may be safe. Doubtless our Lord had a clear and full
 view of the sufferings he was to endure, yet he spoke with the
 greatest calmness till this time. Christ was a Surety, who
 undertook to be answerable for our sins. Accordingly he was made
 sin for us, and suffered for our sins, the Just for the unjust;
 and Scripture ascribes his heaviest sufferings to the hand of
 God. He had full knowledge of the infinite evil of sin, and of
 the immense extent of that guilt for which he was to atone; with
 awful views of the Divine justice and holiness, and the
 punishment deserved by the sins of men, such as no tongue can
 express, or mind conceive. At the same time, Christ suffered
 being tempted; probably horrible thoughts were suggested by
 Satan that tended to gloom and every dreadful conclusion: these
 would be the more hard to bear from his perfect holiness. And
 did the load of imputed guilt so weigh down the soul of Him of
 whom it is said, He upholdeth all things by the word of his
 power? into what misery then must those sink whose sins are left
 upon their own heads! How will those escape who neglect so great
 salvation?