Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc00/v01600

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 103 lines

01601
 #28-37 We have the application of this prophetic sermon. As to
 the destruction of Jerusalem, expect it to come very shortly. As
 to the end of the world, do not inquire when it will come, for
 of that day and that hour knoweth no man. Christ, as God, could
 not be ignorant of anything; but the Divine wisdom which dwelt
 in our Saviour, communicated itself to his human soul according
 to the Divine pleasure. As to both, our duty is to watch and
 pray. Our Lord Jesus, when he ascended on high, left something
 for all his servants to do. We ought to be always upon our
 watch, in expectation of his return. This applies to Christ's
 coming to us at our death, as well as to the general judgment.
 We know not whether our Master will come in the days of youth,
 or middle age, or old age; but, as soon as we are born, we begin
 to die, and therefore we must expect death. Our great care must
 be, that, whenever our Lord comes, he may not find us secure,
 indulging in ease and sloth, mindless of our work and duty. He
 says to all, Watch, that you may be found in peace, without
 spot, and blameless.
01611
 * Christ anointed at Bethany. (1-11) The passover, Jesus
 declares that Judas would betray him. (12-21) The Lord's supper
 instituted. (22-31) Christ's agony in the garden. (32-42) He is
 betrayed and taken. (43-52) Christ before the high priest.
 (53-65) Peter denies Christ. (66-72)

 #1-11 Did Christ pour out his soul unto death for us, and shall
 we think any thing too precious for him? Do we give him the
 precious ointment of our best affections? Let us love him with
 all the heart, though it is common for zeal and affection to be
 misunderstood and blamed; and remember that charity to the poor
 will not excuse any from particular acts of piety to the Lord
 Jesus. Christ commended this woman's pious attention to the
 notice of believers in all ages. Those who honour Christ he will
 honour. Covetousness was Judas' master lust, and that betrayed
 him to the sin of betraying his Master; the devil suited his
 temptation to that, and so conquered him. And see what wicked
 contrivances many have in their sinful pursuits; but what
 appears to forward their plans, will prove curses in the end.

01622
 #12-21 Nothing could be less the result of human foresight than
 the events here related. But our Lord knows all things about us
 before they come to pass. If we admit him, he will dwell in our
 hearts. The Son of man goes, as it is written of him, as a lamb
 to the slaughter; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!
 God's permitting the sins of men, and bringing glory to himself
 out of them, does not oblige them to sin; nor will this be any
 excuse for their guilt, or lessen their punishment.

01632
 #22-31 The Lord's supper is food for the soul, therefore a very
 little of that which is for the body, as much as will serve for
 a sign, is enough. It was instituted by the example and the
 practice of our Master, to remain in force till his second
 coming. It was instituted with blessing and giving of thanks, to
 be a memorial of Christ's death. Frequent mention is made of his
 precious blood, as the price of our redemption. How comfortable
 is this to poor repenting sinners, that the blood of Christ is
 shed for many! If for many, why not for me? It was a sign of the
 conveyance of the benefits purchased for us by his death. Apply
 the doctrine of Christ crucified to yourselves; let it be meat
 and drink to your souls, strengthening and refreshing your
 spiritual life. It was to be an earnest and foretaste of the
 happiness of heaven, and thereby to put us out of taste for the
 pleasures and delights of sense. Every one that has tasted
 spiritual delights, straightway desires eternal ones. Though the
 great Shepherd passed through his sufferings without one false
 step, yet his followers often have been scattered by the small
 measure of sufferings allotted to them. How very apt we are to
 think well of ourselves, and to trust our own hearts! It was ill
 done of Peter thus to answer his Master, and not with fear and
 trembling. Lord, give me grace to keep me from denying thee.

01642
 #32-42 Christ's sufferings began with the sorest of all, those
 in his soul. He began to be sorely amazed; words not used in St.
 Matthew, but very full of meaning. The terrors of God set
 themselves in array against him, and he allowed him to
 contemplate them. Never was sorrow like unto his at this time.
 Now he was made a curse for us; the curses of the law were laid
 upon him as our Surety. He now tasted death, in all the
 bitterness of it. This was that fear of which the apostle
 speaks, the natural fear of pain and death, at which human
 nature startles. Can we ever entertain favourable, or even
 slight thoughts of sin, when we see the painful sufferings which
 sin, though but reckoned to him, brought on the Lord Jesus?
 Shall that sit light upon our souls, which sat so heavy upon
 his? Was Christ in such agony for our sins, and shall we never
 be in agony about them? How should we look upon Him whom we have
 pierced, and mourn! It becomes us to be exceedingly sorrowful
 for sin, because He was so, and never to mock at it. Christ, as
 Man, pleaded, that, if it were possible, his sufferings might
 pass from him. As Mediator, he submitted to the will of God,
 saying, Nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt; I bid
 it welcome. See how the sinful weakness of Christ's disciples
 returns, and overpowers them. What heavy clogs these bodies of
 ours are to our souls! But when we see trouble at the door, we
 should get ready for it. Alas, even believers often look at the
 Redeemer's sufferings in a drowsy manner, and instead of being
 ready to die with Christ, they are not even prepared to watch
 with him one hour.