Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc00/v01100

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 113 lines

01100
 #29-39 Wherever Christ comes, he comes to do good. He cures,
 that we may minister to him, and to others who are his, and for
 his sake. Those kept from public ordinances by sickness or other
 real hindrances, may expect the Saviour's gracious presence; he
 will soothe their sorrows, and abate their pains. Observe how
 numerous the patients were. When others speed well with Christ,
 it should quicken us in seeking after him. Christ departed into
 a solitary place. Though he was in no danger of distraction, or
 of temptation to vain-glory, yet he retired. Those who have the
 most business in public, and of the best kind, must yet
 sometimes be alone with God.

01111
 #40-45 We have here Christ's cleansing of a leper. It teaches us
 to apply to the Saviour with great humility, and with full
 submission to his will, saying, "Lord, if thou wilt," without
 any doubt of Christ's readiness to help the distressed. See also
 what to expect from Christ; that according to our faith it shall
 be to us. The poor leper said, If thou wilt. Christ readily
 wills favours to those who readily refer themselves to his will.
 Christ would have nothing done that looked like seeking praise
 of the people. But no reasons now exist why we should hesitate
 to spread the praises of Christ.
01117
 * Christ heals one sick of the palsy. (1-12) Levi's call, and
 the entertainment given to Jesus. (13-17) Why Christ's disciples
 did not fast. (18-22) He justifies his disciples for plucking
 corn on the sabbath. (23-28)

 #1-12 It was this man's misery that he needed to be so carried,
 and shows the suffering state of human life; it was kind of
 those who so carried him, and teaches the compassion that should
 be in men, toward their fellow-creatures in distress. True faith
 and strong faith may work in various ways; but it shall be
 accepted and approved by Jesus Christ. Sin is the cause of all
 our pains and sicknesses. The way to remove the effect, is to
 take away the cause. Pardon of sin strikes at the root of all
 diseases. Christ proved his power to forgive sin, by showing his
 power to cure the man sick of the palsy. And his curing diseases
 was a figure of his pardoning sin, for sin is the disease of the
 soul; when it is pardoned, it is healed. When we see what Christ
 does in healing souls, we must own that we never saw the like.
 Most men think themselves whole; they feel no need of a
 physician, therefore despise or neglect Christ and his gospel.
 But the convinced, humbled sinner, who despairs of all help,
 excepting from the Saviour, will show his faith by applying to
 him without delay.

01129
 #13-17 Matthew was not a good character, or else, being a Jew,
 he would never have been a publican, that is, a tax-gatherer for
 the Romans. However, Christ called this publican to follow him.
 With God, through Christ, there is mercy to pardon the greatest
 sins, and grace to change the greatest sinners, and make them
 holy. A faithful, fair-dealing publican was rare. And because
 the Jews had a particular hatred to an office which proved that
 they were subject to the Romans, they gave these tax-gatherers
 an ill name. But such as these our blessed Lord did not hesitate
 to converse with, when he appeared in the likeness of sinful
 flesh. And it is no new thing for that which is both well done
 and well designed, to be slandered, and turned to the reproach
 of the wisest and best of men. Christ would not withdraw, though
 the Pharisees were offended. If the world had been righteous,
 there had been no occasion for his coming, either to preach
 repentance, or to purchase forgiveness. We must not keep company
 with ungodly men out of love to their vain conversation; but we
 are to show love to their souls, remembering that our good
 Physician had the power of healing in himself, and was in no
 danger of taking the disease; but it is not so with us. In
 trying to do good to others, let us be careful we do not get
 harm to ourselves.

01134
 #18-22 Strict professors are apt to blame all that do not fully
 come up to their own views. Christ did not escape slanders; we
 should be willing to bear them, as well as careful not to
 deserve them; but should attend to every part of our duty in its
 proper order and season.

01139
 #23-28 The sabbath is a sacred and Divine institution; a
 privilege and benefit, not a task and drudgery. God never
 designed it to be a burden to us, therefore we must not make it
 so to ourselves. The sabbath was instituted for the good of
 mankind, as living in society, having many wants and troubles,
 preparing for a state of happiness or misery. Man was not made
 for the sabbath, as if his keeping it could be of service to
 God, nor was he commanded to keep its outward observances to his
 real hurt. Every observance respecting it, is to be interpreted
 by the rule of mercy.
01145
 * The withered hand healed. (1-5) The people resort to Christ.
 (6-12) The apostles called. (13-21) The blasphemy of the
 scribes. (22-30) Christ's relatives. (31-35)

 #1-5 This man's case was piteous; he had a withered hand, which
 disabled him from working for his living; and those that are so,
 are the most proper objects of charity. Let those be helped that
 cannot help themselves. But stubborn infidels, when they can say
 nothing against the truth, yet will not yield. We hear what is
 said amiss, and see what is done amiss; but Christ looks at the
 root of bitterness in the heart, the blindness and hardness of
 that, and is grieved. Let hard-hearted sinners tremble to think
 of the anger with which he will look upon them shortly, when the
 day of his wrath comes. The great healing day now is the
 sabbath, and the healing place the house of prayer; but the
 healing power is of Christ. The gospel command is like that
 recorded here: though our hands are withered, yet, if we will
 not stretch them out, it is our own fault that we are not
 healed. But if we are healed, Christ, his power and grace, must
 have all the glory.