Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc00/v01250

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 4KB | 73 lines

01255
 #35-43 We may suppose Jairus hesitating whether he should ask
 Christ to go on or not, when told that his daughter was dead.
 But have we not as much occasion for the grace of God, and the
 comfort of his Spirit, for the prayers of our ministers and
 Christian friends, when death is in the house, as when sickness
 is there? Faith is the only remedy against grief and fear at
 such a time. Believe the resurrection, then fear not. He raised
 the dead child to life by a word of power. Such is the gospel
 call to those who are by nature dead in trespasses and sins. It
 is by the word of Christ that spiritual life is given. All who
 saw it, and heard of it, admired the miracle, and Him that
 wrought it. Though we cannot now expect to have our dead
 children or relatives restored, we may hope to find comfort
 under our trials.
01264
 * Christ despised in his own country. (1-6) The apostles sent
 forth. (7-13) John the Baptist put to death. (14-29) The
 apostles return, Five thousand fed by a miracle. (30-44) Christ
 walks on the sea, He heals those that touch him. (45-56)

 #1-6 Our Lord's countrymen tried to prejudice the minds of
 people against him. Is not this the carpenter? Our Lord Jesus
 probably had worked in that business with his father. He thus
 put honour upon mechanics, and encouraged all persons who eat by
 the labour of their hands. It becomes the followers of Christ to
 content themselves with the satisfaction of doing good, although
 they are denied the praise of it. How much did these Nazarenes
 lose by obstinate prejudices against Jesus! May Divine grace
 deliver us from that unbelief, which renders Christ a savour of
 death, rather than of life to the soul. Let us, like our Master,
 go and teach cottages and peasants the way of salvation.

01270
 #7-13 Though the apostles were conscious to themselves of great
 weakness, and expected no worldly advantage, yet, in obedience to
 their Master, and in dependence upon his strength, they went
 out. They did not amuse people with curious matters, but told
 them they must repent of their sins, and turn to God. The
 servants of Christ may hope to turn many from darkness unto God,
 and to heal souls by the power of the Holy Ghost.

01277
 #14-29 Herod feared John while he lived, and feared him still
 more when he was dead. Herod did many of those things which John
 in his preaching taught him; but it is not enough to do many
 things, we must have respect to all the commandments. Herod
 respected John, till he touched him in his Herodias. Thus many
 love good preaching, if it keep far away from their beloved sin.
 But it is better that sinners persecute ministers now for
 faithfulness, than curse them eternally for unfaithfulness. The
 ways of God are unsearchable; but we may be sure he never can be
 at a loss to repay his servants for what they endure or lose for
 his sake. Death could not come so as to surprise this holy man;
 and the triumph of the wicked was short.

01293
 #30-44 Let not ministers do any thing or teach any thing, but
 what they are willing should be told to their Lord. Christ
 notices the frights of some, and the toils of others of his
 disciples, and provides rest for those that are tired, and
 refuge for those that are terrified. The people sought the
 spiritual food of Christ's word, and then he took care that they
 should not want bodily food. If Christ and his disciples put up
 with mean things, surely we may. And this miracle shows that
 Christ came into the world, not only to restore, but to preserve
 and nourish spiritual life; in him there is enough for all that
 come. None are sent empty away from Christ but those who come to
 him full of themselves. Though Christ had bread enough at
 command, he teaches us not to waste any of God's bounties,
 remembering how many are in want. We may, some time, need the
 fragments that we now throw away.